National Science Foundation

National Science Foundation
Author: Christine M. Matthews
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2007
Genre:
ISBN:

The Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) account of the National Science Foundation (NSF) supports the acquisition and construction of major research facilities and equipment that are to extend the boundaries of science, engineering, and technology. The facilities include telescopes, earth simulators, astronomical observatories, and mobile research platforms. Currently, the NSF provides approximately $1.0 billion annually in support of facilities and other infrastructure projects. While the NSF does not directly design or operate research facilities, it does have final responsibility for oversight and management. Questions have been raised by many in the scientific community concerning the adequacy of the planning and management of NSF facilities. In addition, there has been debate related to the criteria used to select projects for MREFC support. H.R. 1867, the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2007, directs the National Science Board to evaluate NSF's current policies for allocation of costs, and management and operation of major research equipment and facilities. This report will be updated periodically.

Setting Priorities for Large Research Facility Projects Supported by the National Science Foundation

Setting Priorities for Large Research Facility Projects Supported by the National Science Foundation
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 236
Release: 2004-07-15
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0309090849

In 1995, the National Science Foundation (NSF) created a special account to fund large (several tens of millions of dollars) research facilities. Over the years, these facilities have come to represent an increasingly prominent part of the nation's R&D portfolio. Recently concern has intensified about the way NSF is selecting projects for this account. In 2003, six U.S. Senators including the chair and ranking member of the Senate Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Appropriations expressed these concerns in a letter to the NRC asking it to "review the current prioritization process and report to us on how it can be improved." This report presents a series of recommendations on how NSF can improve its priority setting process for large research facilities. While noting that NSF has improved this process, the report states that further strengthening is needed if NSF is to meet future demands for such projects.

U.S. National Science Foundation

U.S. National Science Foundation
Author: Christine M. Matthews
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2007
Genre: Science
ISBN:

The Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) account of the National Science Foundation (NSF) supports the acquisition and construction of major research facilities and equipment that are to extend the boundaries of science, engineering, and technology. The facilities include telescopes, earth simulators, astronomical observatories, and mobile research platforms. Currently, the NSF provides approximately $1.0 billion annually in support of facilities and other infrastructure projects. While the NSF does not directly design or operate research facilities, it does have final responsibility for oversight and management. Questions have been raised by many in the scientific community concerning the adequacy of the planning and management of NSF facilities. In addition, there has been debate related to the criteria used to select projects for MREFC support. H.R. 1867, the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2007, directs the National Science Board to evaluate NSF's current policies for allocation of costs, and management and operation of major research equipment and facilities. This report will be updated periodically.