National Science Board Statement on ‘Next Generation NSF’
On May 16, marking the 75th anniversary of the creation of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Science Board (NSB) issued a statement, “Winning the Race for the Future with the National Science Foundation.” The statement acknowledges the risks facing the U.S. in ceding its scientific leadership to other countries. However, it remains silent on recent actions taken by the Trump Administration such as terminating research grants and the President’s proposal to cut agency funding by more than half.
Instead, citing the changing science and engineering landscape and increasing administrative burden on researchers, the Board calls for reforms to create a “Next Generation NSF.” According to the statement, Next Generation NSF will:
- “Prioritize bold, ambitious basic research that lays the groundwork for future world-changing advances – the next, next big thing
- Make federal dollars a force multiplier by expanding partnerships with business, state, philanthropic, and other sectors
- Mitigate the threat of technological surprise by coordinating research initiatives with the Department of Defense and other national security entities
- Develop domestic STEM talent in critical and emerging areas via increased direct support to the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technicians.”
The statement does not explain how to achieve these goals within the current funding and political landscape except to say, “The National Science Board will work with the Administration, Congress, and the scientific community to make Next Generation NSF a reality and reinvigorate the American S&T enterprise to ensure our nation’s prosperity and security for the next 75 years.”