National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent agency of the United States federal government established by an act of Congress in 1950. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, the agency supports basic research and education across all fields of science and engineering.

The NSF funds competitive, merit-reviewed grants for individual researchers, universities, and research institutions. Its operations are organized into directorates covering biological sciences, geosciences, mathematical and physical sciences, computer science, engineering, and social and behavioral sciences, as well as education and human resources.

Notable activities include the administration of the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), the funding of the U.S. research program in Antarctica, and the support of major national facilities, including telescope and network infrastructure.