A Timeline of NSF History

NSF History by Decade: 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s

2000s

2000 - September 29: The first grants under the Partnerships for Innovation are recommended. This program supports creative interaction in local communities between higher education institutions, government agencies, foundations and the private sector.

2000 - October 31: Responding to the White House Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities, NSF provides grants through the new Rural Systemic Initiative to improve science, mathematics and technology education in K-12 schools on tribal reservations.

2001 - June 14: With funding from NSF, physicists and ophthalmologists develop a procedure of using an ultrafast laser for improved LASIK eye surgery.

2001 - September 19: Six major centers for nanoscale science and engineering research are established by NSF.

2002 - January 18: Gemini South, the second of the two Gemini state-of-the-art 8-meter telescopes is dedicated in Chile. The Gemini partnership includes seven nations: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada Chile, the United Kingdom and the United States.

2003 - October 1: The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program begins.

2003 - October 4: A review of atmospheric observations and multiple computer models leads two of the nation's leading atmospheric scientists, including NCAR scientist Kevin Trenberth, to conclude that the evidence for human impact on global climate is overwhelming.

2003 - December 22: NSF is authorized by the National Science Board to fund a National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network, embracing thirteen university sites.

2004 - September 15: Arden L. Bement, Jr., is nominated to be director of NSF. (Bement biography)