National Science Foundation (NSF)

Dive into the world of quantum science with the latest story in NSF's Science Matters. The first quantum science projects funded by NSF date back almost 70 years. Since then, NSF-supported quantum science has produced advancements such as quantum dot nanotechnology used in TV screens (resulting in a Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2023), advanced lasers and other innovations impacting today's world. Explore how #NSFfunded research is driving innovation in quantum materials and computing: https://bit.ly/4bIIcSo

The U.S. National Science Foundation has awarded teams from South Dakota, New Hampshire and Maine approximately $8 million each through the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research Collaborations for Optimizing Research Ecosystems Research Infrastructure Improvement program. This initiative aims to enhance states' research and development competitiveness and drive scientific progress nationwide. "By boosting their state's R&D capabilities, these teams are poised to drive use-inspired research and transform STEM education and workforce development within their regions." This investment underscores our commitment to advancing research and building robust research infrastructure hubs, fostering innovative ecosystems, and creating pathways for economic growth and societal impact,” said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. Teams will spend the next four years collaborating across diverse academic, governmental, industry and nonprofit sectors to address core research infrastructure needs. Their goal is to cultivate self-sustaining research ecosystems and foster pathways to STEM fields, driving both economic growth and societal impact. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3WEZImf #EPSCoR

Today, in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and The Washington Post, the Partnership for Public Service released the "2023 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government: Top Workplaces Edition," ranking the U.S. National Science Foundation No. 8 among mid-size agencies. This marks NSF's inclusion in the top 10 list for the eighth year in a row! We are thrilled and honored by this recognition, which reflects the agency's continuous efforts to cultivate a positive, inclusive and engaging work environment for our staff — the people who advance our agency's mission and help keep our nation at the forefront of discovery and innovation. "As we navigate evolving work dynamics, we are dedicated to fostering communication, collaboration, and transparency. These efforts are crucial in empowering our staff to continue driving forward our mission of advancing science and engineering for the benefit of society. Together, we will create an even brighter future for our staff and the work they do every day on behalf of the nation," said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. To learn more about the rankings and how they are based, please visit: https://bit.ly/4bkTg8u

In preparation for the grand opening of the new NSF Arecibo Center for Culturally Relevant and Inclusive Science Education, Computational Skills, and Community Engagement (Arecibo C3 STEM Center), NSF is announcing the start of its pilot phase during the summer of 2024. This phase will be conducted by invitation only and will engage small focus groups of students and educators in various scientific activities and exhibitions. NSF Arecibo C3 will be located at the site of the NSF Arecibo Observatory Historic District in Puerto Rico. The center, managed by a collaboration between Universidad del Sagrado Corazón; University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras; University of Maryland Baltimore County; and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, aims to extend the Arecibo Observatory's legacy of leadership within Puerto Rico and the STEM Community. During the pilot period, the center will be closed to the public. However, its grand opening is expected in November of 2024. "We are thrilled to announce the pilot phase of NSF Arecibo C3, marking a significant step toward realizing NSF's vision of a dynamic science center open to all, fostering curiosity, innovation and exploration," said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. "As we prepare for the grand opening later this fall, we look forward to engaging communities from across Puerto Rico and welcoming everyone to a center that will spark a passion for STEM and inspire future generations of scientists and researchers." To read the full announcement and learn more about NSF Arecibo C3, visit: https://bit.ly/4dJCUIe

A new sustainable glass recycling method preserves valuable wetlands and more. ♻🦆 NSF Convergence Accelerator's Track E: Networked Blue Economy funded project ReCoast, led by Tulane University, is creating materials out of #recycledglass that are being used for a diverse set of environmental applications, including the restoration and reinforcement of eroded coastlines in their home state of Louisiana. The New York Times profiled how ReCoast partner Glass Half Full and co-principal investigator Franziska Trautmann is "pulverizing bottles in New Orleans and using the sand for local projects could help lessen the environmental damage and expense of dredging and shipping, while at the same time diverting glass from landfills." Learn more about the accomplishments of ReCoast and Glass Half Full and their unique, convergence research-driven solution in the The New York Times profile: https://nyti.ms/3WFhJRc. ReCoast is one of six teams selected to advance to Phase 2 of the NSF Convergence Accelerator's Track E: Networked Blue Economy, receiving up to $5 million in funding. Discover how Track E teams are building upon NSF's mission of accelerating convergence research across ocean sectors: https://bit.ly/3wwjZQh. For more information on how the NSF Convergence Accelerator teams are accelerating solutions toward societal and economic impact as part of the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, visit the official website here: https://bit.ly/3UZFcvi.

Virginia startup Babylon Micro-Farms is bringing the benefits of sustainable indoor farming into the classroom. 👩🌾 The company, with its mission "to help people grow food anywhere," provides hydroponic farming systems that allow individuals to grow their plants, produce and herbs without any soil. Using a water-based nutrient solution, Babylon encourages anyone to grow food free of toxins and pesticides. 🥛🌱 Now, the company is offering a lower-cost product designed specifically for schools called the "STEM Garden" that can grow up to 90 plants at a time. The STEM Garden is a hands-on learning solution for K-12 classrooms where students learn how to grow food from seed to harvest while promoting teamwork, collaboration and educational integration. 🥗 "It's part of a growing trend where schools are emphasizing interdisciplinary learning and teaching systems," said Alexander Olesen, CEO and co-founder of Babylon Micro-Farms. To learn more, visit: https://bit.ly/4dGIrPq 📷: Babylon Micro-Farms #NSFSBIR #sustainablefarming

Last month, NSF announced a $20 million award to support the creation of the National Synthesis Center for Emergence in the Molecular and Cellular Sciences (NCEMS) that will catalyze insights into biological systems and advance fields such as genomics, cell biology, biophysics and synthetic biology. NCEMS is led by Penn State University in collaboration with researchers from Claflin University, Alcorn State University, Fayetteville State University and the University of Arizona. By leveraging diverse expertise and world-class computational resources to synthesize vast amounts of data, the center's team will help us better understand how and why new properties and phenomena emerge in biological systems at different scales of composition, space, time, energy, information and motion. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4duXgEK 📷: NSF

📢 Employment opportunity alert! The U.S. National Science Foundation seeks a division director to serve in the Division of Astronomical Sciences (AST) within the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences. The division director will lead a team of program officers and administrative personnel to help meet the needs and objectives of AST and will be responsible for overseeing NSF's broad portfolio of astronomy research and education investments, including multi-user facilities such as NSF NOIRLab, NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory and NSF National Solar Observatory. This position is open through a Senior Executive Service appointment or an "Intergovernmental Personnel Act" assignment. See the links below for full details. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. EST on June 24, 2024. For more information about the position and how to apply, visit https://bit.ly/3JX6wUA and https://bit.ly/4bcRypD 📷: NSF

This week was full of celebrations and milestones — including recognizing NSF staff and public servants for their hard work to better the nation; celebrating teachers for their dedication to educating the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators; and a milestone in achieving responsible artificial intelligence. On Sunday, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan traveled to Boston, where he delivered a commencement speech at Northeastern University’s 2024 graduate commencement ceremony at Fenway Park. During his address, he encouraged the students to embrace the spirit of inquiry, curiosity and discovery as they embark on their professional journeys. On Monday, Panchanathan joined the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to discuss AI efforts. At this event, the director announced the first 35 projects that will be supported with computational time through the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Pilot, marking a significant milestone in fostering responsible AI research across the nation. The director concluded the week by attending the AI Expo for National Competitiveness in Washington, D.C., hosted by the Special Competitive Studies Project. Panchanathan gave a keynote speech emphasizing the importance of strengthening investments in AI research and development for the nation’s competitiveness and growth and partnering to drive innovation and propel the U.S. to a prosperous future. At the expo, the director had a unique opportunity to converse with companies and universities at the forefront of AI powered by NSF investments.

Today marks 74 years of NSF science! 🎇 The world has been forever changed by groundbreaking discoveries in science and technology from NSF investments. We are proud to have made significant contributions in various fields of science, ranging from biology to astronomy, engineering, computer science and beyond. We are excited about the discoveries that await us! Happy birthday to us! 🎉 📷: Nicolle R. Fuller/NSF