Office of the Director (OD)
Supports the director, chief operating officer, and other senior officials who are responsible for agency management, operations and strategic planning in support of NSF's mission to advance innovation anywhere and opportunities everywhere.
Offices within the Office of the Director:
- Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR): Works across the NSF-supported community to eliminate harassment and promote diversity, inclusion, equal opportunity and access.
- Office of the General Counsel (OGC): Provides legal advice and assistance for NSF's programs, policies and operations, as well as areas affecting science and technology and the federal government more broadly.
- Integrative Activities (OIA): Advances interdisciplinary science and engineering for societal benefit.
- International Science and Engineering (OISE): Promotes the U.S. research community's access to international knowledge, infrastructure and capabilities.
- Office of Legislative and Public Affairs (OLPA) Communicates NSF's activities, programs, research results and policies.
National Science Board (NSB)
As NSF's governing board, identifies issues critical to NSF's future and establishes its policies. Serves as an independent advisor to Congress and the president on policy matters related to STEM.
Biological Sciences (BIO)
Supports research and education on the principles and mechanisms governing life — from cells to ecosystems and across space and time.
Divisions:
- Biological Infrastructure (DBI): Supports the development and enhancement of biological research infrastructure, including human capital, technologies, and institutes and centers.
- Environmental Biology (DEB): Supports evolutionary and ecological research on species, populations, communities and ecosystems.
- Emerging Frontiers (EF): Supports multi- and interdisciplinary research and networking activities.
- Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS): Supports research aimed at understanding organisms as units of biological organization.
- Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB): Supports research to decipher the molecular underpinnings of living systems.
Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE)
Supports research and education on the principles and uses of advanced computing, communications, information systems and advanced cyberinfrastructure across science and engineering.
Units:
- Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC): Supports the conceptualization, design, implementation and operation of research cyberinfrastructure essential for advancing and transforming research and education in science and engineering.
- Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF): Supports research in the mathematical, scientific and technological foundations of computing, communication, hardware, software and emerging technologies such as quantum information science.
- Computer and Network Systems (CNS): Supports research on computer systems and networks, hardware and software systems, future-generation computing and communication systems, cyber-physical systems, and secure and trustworthy cyberspace.
- Information and Intelligent Systems (IIS): Supports research on the interrelated roles of people, computers and information to advance knowledge of artificial intelligence, data management, assistive technologies and human-centered computing.
Engineering (ENG)
Invests in engineering research and education and the development of innovations to benefit society.
Divisions:
- Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems (CBET): Supports research in chemical and biochemical systems; environmental engineering and sustainability; bioengineering and engineering health care; and fundamental transport, thermal and fluid phenomena.
- Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI): Supports research on advanced manufacturing, performance of materials and building technologies, infrastructure resilience and sustainability, and tools and systems for decision making, robotics and controls.
- Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems (ECCS): Supports research in device and component technologies, power, controls, computation, networking, communications and cyber technologies for the integration and networking of intelligent systems.
- Engineering Education and Centers (EEC): Invests in the creation of 21st century engineers and the discovery of technologies through transformational, center-based research.
- Emerging Frontiers and Multidisciplinary Activities (EFMA): Targets important, cutting-edge opportunities and long-term challenges for engineering to address national needs.
Geosciences (GEO)
Supports research and education on understanding and adapting to the changes in the earth, ocean, atmosphere and polar regions.
Divisions:
- Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS): Supports research to understand the behavior of the Earth's atmosphere and its interactions with the sun.
- Earth Sciences (EAR): Supports research to improve understanding of the structure, composition, processes and evolution of the earth.
- Ocean Sciences (OCE): Supports research on all aspects of global oceans and their interactions with the earth and the atmosphere.
- Office of Polar Programs (OPP): Supports world-class Arctic and Antarctic science through grants, polar facilities and operational support.
- Research, Innovation, Synergies and Education (RISE): Supports novel, complex or partnership projects in research and education.
Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS)
Supports research and education in the astronomical sciences, chemistry, materials science, mathematical sciences and physics.
Divisions:
- Astronomical Sciences (AST): Supports research in ground-based astronomy and provides access to world-class astronomical research facilities.
- Chemistry (CHE): Supports research in the chemical sciences.
- Materials Research (DMR): Supports research on the properties of materials and the physical phenomena they host.
- Mathematical Sciences (DMS): Supports research in mathematics and statistics.
- Physics (PHY): Supports research across the intellectual frontiers of physics.
- Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI): Works in partnership with the five divisions of NSF's Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences to make strategic investments in novel, transformative and multidisciplinary projects.
Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE)
Advances research and education on human behavior and social organizations and how social, economic, political, cultural and environmental forces affect people's lives.
Divisions:
- Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences (BCS): Promotes investigation of psychological, linguistic, anthropological and geographic sciences, including human origins, brain development and learning, and archaeology.
- National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES): Collects and reports data on the science and engineering workforce, U.S. competitiveness in science and technology and the progress of education in these fields.
- Social and Economic Sciences (SES): Invests in the study of how societies, organizations and economies function, including how decisions are made, how institutions function and how scientific and technological progress are pursued.
- Multidisciplinary Activities (SMA): Cultivates interdisciplinary research and training in the social, behavioral and economic sciences, including capacity-building at minority-serving institutions, international collaborations and the ethical conduct of scientific research.
STEM Education (EDU)
Invests in education and education research in STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — across age groups and settings.
Divisions:
- Equity for Excellence in STEM (EES): Promotes activities that strengthen STEM education for underserved communities, broaden their participation in the workforce, and increase knowledge about promoting inclusion.
- Graduate Education (DGE): Supports graduate students and the development of innovative programs to prepare tomorrow's leaders in STEM fields.
- Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL): Invests in research, development and evaluation of learning and teaching across all STEM disciplines in both formal and informal learning settings.
- Undergraduate Education (DUE): Strengthens STEM education at two- and four-year colleges and universities by improving instruction, assessment, laboratories, infrastructure, collaborations and the diversity of students and faculty.
Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP)
Advances critical and emerging technologies, accelerates use-inspired and translational research, and empowers all Americans to participate in the U.S. research and innovation enterprise.
Focus areas:
- Fostering innovation and technology ecosystems: Nurtures regional innovation and technology ecosystems to support researchers and innovators to converge, develop and accelerate use-inspired research for societal impact.
- Accelerating research to impact: Establishes translation pathways that support startups and researchers to move their research from the lab to market and society.
- Partnering to engage the nation's diverse talent: Advances high-impact public and private partnerships across all areas of science, engineering and education to create technology solutions and build the workforce of the future.
Budget, Finance and Award Management (BFA)
Provides business, financial and analytical services to NSF and its recipients.
Divisions:
- Budget Division (BD): Develops, analyzes and executes NSF's annual budget.
- Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Support (DACS): Solicits, awards and administers NSF's contracts and cooperative agreements.
- Division of Financial Management (DFM): Supports NSF's financial policy and financial management.
- Division of Grants and Agreements (DGA): Awards NSF grants and agreements recommended for support by NSF's programs.
- Division of Institution and Award Support (DIAS): Develops and communicates proposal and award policies and procedures, provides pre-award support and post-award monitoring, and administers NSF's electronic award systems.
- Research Infrastructure Office (RIO): Develops policies and procedures, promotes project management practices, and shares lessons learned for research infrastructure, including mid-scale and major facilities supported by NSF.
Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO)
Supports centralized information technology and data activities across NSF, including IT services, digital innovation and governance, and data and artificial intelligence services.
Divisions:
- Division of Data and Artificial Intelligence (DDAI): Supports enterprise data management, responsible use and development of AI, data services and machine learning services across NSF.
- Division of Enterprise Services (DES): Supports enterprise services within NSF, including consumer services, administrative services, and internal mission services.
- Division of Security and Operations (DSO): Supports IT security and operations across NSF, including IT security policy and audits, infrastructure services and customer support.
Information and Resource Management (OIRM)
Supports NSF operations and management, ensuring NSF remains one of the best places to work in the federal government.
Divisions:
- Division of Administrative Services (DAS): Provides building support services and a broad range of administrative services for NSF's day-to-day business operations, including state-of-the-art conference and meeting facilities.
- Division of Human Resource Management (HRM): Provides human capital management support in areas such as staffing, recruitment, professional and leadership development, learning and education, employee awards and recognition, and labor relations.
Office of Inspector General (OIG)
Provides independent oversight of NSF to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and economy of its programs and operations and to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse.