LEONARD L. Lederman.
RICHARD R. RIES.
ALDEN S. Bean.
CHARLES E. FALK.
LEE G. BURCHINAL.
BODO BARTOCHA.
HARVEY AVERCH, Acting.
ELDON D. TAYLOR.
GEORGE PILARINOS.

FRED K. MURAKAMI.
KENNETH B. FOSTER.
GAYLORD ELLIS.
BURL VALENTINE.

The purposes of the National Science Foundation are to: increase the Nation's base of scientific knowledge and strengthen its ability to conduct scientific research; encourage research in areas that can lead to improvements in economic growth, energy supply and use, productivity, and environmental quality; promote international cooperation through science; and develop and help implement science education programs that can better prepare the Nation for meeting the challenges of the decades ahead. In its role as a leading Federal supporter of science, NSF also has an important role in national science policy planning.

The National Science Foundation was established by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (64 Stat. 149; 42 U.S.C. 1861-1875), as amended, and was given additional authority by the National Defense Education Act of 1958 (72 Stat. 1601; 42 U.S.C. 1876-1879). Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1977 transferred to

the Foundation certain reporting functions of the Office of Science and Technology Policy under the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 459; 42 U.S.C. 6601). The Foundation consists of the National Science Board of 24 members, and a Director, each appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate for terms of 6 years. The National Science Foundation Act also provides for a Deputy Director and four Assistant Directors, appointed by the President and subject to Senate confirmation. The Director is the chief executive officer of the Foundation and serves ex officio as a member of the Board and as chairman of its Executive Committee.

ACTIVITIES

The National Science Foundation initiates and supports fundamental and applied research in all the scientific disciplines. This support is made through grants, contracts, and other

agreements awarded to universities, nonprofit, and other research organizations. Most of this research is directed to the resolution of scientific questions concerning fundamental life processes, natural laws and phenomena, fundamental processes influencing man's environment and the forces impacting on man as a member of society as well as on the behavior of his society. Additional research is focused on selected societal problems.

The NSF encourages cooperative efforts by universities, industries, and government, and promotes the application of research and development for better products and services which improve the quality of life, create employment opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and increase productivity and foreign trade.

The Foundation supports major national and international science programs including the U.S. Antarctic Program, International Decade of Ocean Exploration, Ocean Sediment Coring Program, and others.

Support is given, through contracts, to national centers where large facilities are made available for the use of qualified scientists. Among the centers supported by the Foundation are: the Kitt Peak National Observatory, the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The Very Large Array (VLA) Radio Astronomy Observatory, now under construction, is the largest facility of its kind. In 1976, the NSF assumed responsibility for the funding and management of the Sacramento Peak Observatory, a transfer from the Department of Defense (Air Force).

The development and use of computer and other methodologies and technologies is supported. Support is also provided for problem-focused interdisciplinary research aimed at accelerating the transfer of scientific discoveries in use. Particular emphasis

is placed on mitigating hazards of earthquakes, chemical threats to man and environment, alternative sources of biological materials, and community water management. Also supported are experimental efforts to improve and accelerate the application of research and development by industries, government, and other institutions, and to increase the non-Federal investment in research and development.

The Foundation's science education activities span all levels of education. Support is provided to identify and encourage scientific talent and to stimulate more participation in the sciences by minorities, women, and the handicapped. Schools, colleges, and universities are encouraged, through grants, to improve the quality of science instruction and the use of validated knowledge and effective instructional strategies.

Support is also provided for research and development activities to advance our knowledge of how scientific concepts, processes, and skills are learned and to encourage the development of materials and techniques by which learning processes in science can be improved.. Support is also provided to bring about greater understanding of science and technology as it affects contemporary life, including the social and ethical implications of an increasingly technology-dependent society. All awards are made on a competitive basis.

The Foundation also supports research aimed at formulating science policy through analysis of existing and emerging national issues that have significant scientific and technological content. It defines options and supplies analysis directed toward enhancing the contribution of science and technology to the Nation.

NSF develops and disseminates information relating to scientific resources, including manpower, to facilitate national decisions to strengthen the scientific effort of the Nation. Programs

to improve the information systems and services available to U.S. scientists, foster the interchange of scientific information among scientists of the United States and foreign countries, and provide support for the translation. of foreign scientific information are also Foundation activities.

International programs, including cooperative scientific research activities, are supported through the exchange of American and foreign scientists and engineers, the execution of jointly designed research projects, participation in the activities of international science organizations, and travel to international conferences.

The National Science Foundation, awards annually the Alan T. Waterman Award to an outstanding young scientist. This award provides for up to $150,000 and 3 years of research and study at the institution of the awardee's choice. The Foundation also provides support for the President's Committee on the National Medal of Science.

Sources of Information

GRANTS

Individuals or organizations who plan to submit grant proposals should refer to the NSF Guide to Programs and appropriate program brochures and announcements which may be obtained as indicated in the reference to publications, below.

CONTRACTS

The Foundation publicizes contracting and subcontracting opportunities in the Commerce Business Daily and other appropriate publications.

Organizations seeking to undertake contract work for the Foundation may contact the Division of Grants and Contracts, Room 640.

SMALL BUSINESS

This office in the Foundation provides information to small business companies with strong research capabilities in science and technology.

PUBLICATIONS

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Detailed brochures are issued nouncing and describing new programs and critical dates and application procedures for competitions, and may be obtained from the Publications Unit, National Science Foundation, 1800 G Street NW., Washington, D.C. 20550. The monthly NSF Bulletin, summarizing program announcements and other NSF activities, is available from the Public Information Branch, National Science Foundation, 1800 G Street NW., Washington, D.C. 20550. In addition, the quarterly Arctic Bulletin is available from the Division of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 1800 G Street NW., Washington, D.C. 20550. Information concerning Applied Science and Research Applications may be obtained through the ASRA Document Center, National Science Foundation, 1800 G Street NW., Washington, D.C. 20550.

Other publications include Science Indicators-1976 and Basic Research in the Mission Agencies, the 9th and 10th annual reports of the National Science Board; Mosaic, the NSF bimonthly magazine; Guide to Programs which summarizes information about NSF support programs; the quarterly Antarctic Journal of the United States; and Grant Policy Manual (NSF-77-47), which contains comprehensive statements of NSF grant administration policy, procedures, and guidance, available from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

20402.

COMMITTEE MINUTES

Summary minutes of open meetings of Foundation advisory groups may be obtained from the Division of Personnel and Management, 1800 G Street NW., Washington, D.C. 20550.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) INQUIRIES

Requests from the public for agency records should be clearly identified