NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230


June 23, 2006


Dear Colleague:

The National Science Foundation is again asking for your input on
our next NSF Strategic Plan. Last December, we asked for your
thoughts on the current plan and the changing environment for
science and engineering (S&E) research and education. That input
together with comments from NSF staff, our Advisory Committees, and
the National Science Board (NSB) led to development of the draft
plan (see www.nsf.gov/about/performance/nsfplandraft.pdf) now
available for review by the public at large and the communities we
serve. The draft FY 2006-2011 Strategic Plan communicates
NSF's vision, goals, objectives, priorities and strategies
over this time period.

Your comments are requested by July 17, 2006 through the website at
www.nsf.gov/about/performance/input.cfm or by e-mail to
strategicplaninput@nsf.gov. In particular, NSF requests comments on
the following questions to assist us in finalizing the new plan:

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the draft plan?

Does NSF's draft Strategic Plan effectively communicate
NSF's investments and priorities in supporting the S&E
community? If not, what is lacking and specifically how can it be
improved?

[Please note that the photos and graphics in the current version are
primarily place holders. We realize that they are low resolution,
not readable, etc. If you are an NSF investigator and would like to
volunteer an image from your research that would better illustrate
one of the themes, please submit through the above email address.
Please limit the size of any image or graphic you send to 1MB or
less. If we decide to use your image, we will contact you for the
appropriate permissions and for a high resolution version.]

After review in August by the NSB and the Office of Management and
Budget, the final version of the Strategic Plan will be sent to
Congress and posted on our website by September 30, 2006.

Your assistance in this very important task is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Arden L. Bement, Jr.                        Kathie L. Olsen
Director                                    Deputy Director