U.S. National Science Foundation

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering except medicine. It funds a substantial share of the federally supported basic research conducted at U.S. colleges and universities, helping to keep the nation at the frontier of discovery.

NSF supports work spanning mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology, geosciences, engineering, and the social and behavioral sciences, along with STEM education and research infrastructure. Its investments build knowledge, train the future workforce, and support the facilities and instrumentation that entire research communities rely on.

Researchers can pursue a wide range of NSF mechanisms, including standard and continuing research grants, the early-career CAREER award, the Graduate Research Fellowship Program, and center and instrumentation awards, all evaluated through rigorous merit review. Researchers and students can track current NSF funding opportunities and deadlines on Atom.