The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent Federal agency, created by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 USC 1861-75). Its aim is to promote and advance scientific and engineering progress in the United States (U.S.). The Foundation is also committed to ensuring the nation's supply of scientists, engineers and science educators.

 NSF funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. It does this through grants, contracts and cooperative agreements to more than 2,000 colleges, universities and other research and/or education organizations in all parts of the U.S. NSF receives approximately 30,000 proposals annually for new or renewal support for research, graduate and postdoctoral fellowships, and math/science/engineering education projects, and makes approximately 9,000 new awards. These typically are awarded to universities, colleges, academic consortia, non-profit institutions and small businesses. The agency operates no laboratories itself but does support National Research Centers, certain oceanographic vessels and Antarctic research stations. The Foundation also supports cooperative research between universities and industry and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

 NSF is generally structured by fields of science and engineering and science education but also considers activities that cross traditional fields by coordinating review across the Foundation. The NSF's staff is assisted by advisors, primarily from the scientific and engineering communities, who serve on panels or as mail reviewers of proposals. NSF Program Officers who are experts in the field or area of the proposal are responsible for award recommendations.

 Grantees are wholly responsible for conducting their project activities and preparing the results for publication. Thus the Foundation does not assume responsibility for such findings or their interpretation.

 NSF welcomes proposals on behalf of all qualified scientists, engineers and educators. The Foundation strongly encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to participate fully in its programs. In accordance with Federal statutes, regulations and NSF policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin or disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from NSF.