Special Reports
From 3-D bioprinting that could one day generate heart tissue to origami-inspired structures built for medicine and space exploration, a new set of educational videos continues an exploration begun in 2013 inside the creative process that leads to innovation.
Date Updated: February 18, 2016
Computer Science Is for All Students
NSF-funded research is building the necessary foundations for implementing rigorous and engaging computer science education. A wide range of resources, including instructional materials and support for teachers and schools, have been prototyped across the U.S.
Date Updated: January 30, 2016
Nanotechnology: Super Small Science
A six-part video series howing how atoms and molecules that are thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair can be used as building blocks to create future technology.
Date Updated: January 25, 2016
Cybersecurity: Tech, tools and training to safeguard the future
Cybersecurity is one of the defining issues of our time. Cutting-edge, NSF-supported social and technical research -- as well as education and workforce development programs--are helping protect our national, and personal, security.
Date Updated: October 30, 2015
When Nature Strikes: Science of Natural Hazards
A 10-part video series spotlighting the fundamental scientific research NSF funds to improve predictability and risk assessment and reduce the impact of catastrophic events.
Date Updated: September 29, 2015
Height of light: Progress in lasers and other light sources
Lasers have long energized our imaginations, bringing us light sabers and holodecks. In reality, light-based technologies, based on basic properties, materials and designs, enable our modern lifestyles.
Date Updated: June 18, 2015
NSF aims to enable scientific understanding of the full complexity of the brain, in action and in context, through targeted, cross-disciplinary investments in research, technology and workforce development. Learn about NSF’s cross-foundational activities in brain research including the BRAIN Initiative.
Date Updated: June 9, 2015
By investing in future Internet architectures, networking protocols and applications, and communities of researchers, NSF continues to advance the capabilities afforded by the Internet.
Date Updated: March 25, 2015
Life savers: Resilient designs to weather hazards
Disasters don't have to be disastrous. Engineering advances enable buildings and infrastructure to better withstand any size of natural, technological or malicious hazard.
Date Updated: February 3, 2015
Broader impacts: Improving society
Scientific progress comes in all shapes and sizes. Disparate fields, researchers and methods united by one thing: potential. Every NSF grant has the potential to advance knowledge and benefit society--what we call broader impacts.
Date Updated: November 12, 2014
Cyber-physical systems: Enabling a smart and connected world
Cyber-physical systems integrate sensing, computation, control and networking into physical objects and infrastructure, connecting them to the Internet and to each other. NSF is a leader in supporting advances in the fundamental knowledge and tools to make cyber-physical systems a reality.
Date Updated: November 6, 2014
Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases
West Nile virus. Hantavirus. Lyme disease. Infectious diseases are spreading in animals and humans. Is our interaction with the environment somehow responsible?
Date Updated: October 6, 2014
High-tech harvest: Engineering agriculture's future
Droughts, floods and pests test the resilience of our agricultural systems as demand for a cheap, reliable food supply grows. Engineers continue to provide new tools to raise agricultural production and efficiency.
Date Updated: September 23, 2014
Brain power: Bright ideas and smart tools for neuroengineering
Engineers work to understand and harness the power of the brain. Explore how neurotechnologies are becoming a seamless part of daily life.
Date Updated: April 24, 2014
National Medal of Science 50th Anniversary
This special NSF website celebrates the golden anniversary of the highest honor bestowed upon American scientists and engineers by the president of the United States.
Date Updated: February 14, 2014
Science and engineering of the Olympic Winter Games 2014
A collaboration between NSF and NBC Learn, this enlightening 10-part video collection, narrated by NBC Sports' Liam McHugh, delves into the physics, engineering, chemistry, design and mathematics behind the world's foremost sporting event.
Date Updated: January 9, 2014
Advanced Manufacturing: Made to Order
Rapid, efficient customization is becoming a reality for high-tech engineers, students and "maker" enthusiasts. Explore the remarkable advances that may transform manufacturing forever.
Date Updated: December 19, 2013
The National Science Foundation and NBC Learn explore the threats and challenges to our most vital natural resources.
Date Updated: July 9, 2013
2013 Innovation in Graduate Education Challenge
The Division of Graduate Education at the National Science Foundation challenges science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduate students across the nation to submit innovative ideas to prepare them for tomorrow's opportunities and challenges.
Date Updated: June 13, 2013
Science Behind the News is a fast-paced video series that explores the science, technology, engineering and mathematics behind current events.
Date Updated: February 27, 2013
Whether it happens among students in a classroom or engineers in a laboratory, innovation is a process--a series of steps that begins with imagination and results in the creation of something of value for society. That process is highlighted in this video series.
Date Updated: February 13, 2013
Graduate Research Fellowship Program: Celebrating 60 Years
NSF's Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is the country's oldest fellowship program directly supporting graduate students in STEM fields. In 2012, NSF celebrates GRFP's 60th anniversary with a video contest.
Date Updated: December 6, 2012
Science of the Summer Olympics 2012
The latest installment in the "Science of Sports" franchise explores the science, engineering and technology that are helping athletes maximize their performance at the 2012 London Games.
Date Updated: July 11, 2012
NSF, in partnership with NBC Learn, NBC Sports and the National Hockey League, explore the science and math behind professional hockey. This 10-part series explaining the science behind the fastest game on ice is made especially for students and teachers to use in the classroom.
Date Updated: January 26, 2012
In the most forbidding environment on Earth, NSF has created a uniquely designed high-tech haven to support research and to house the scientists and others who keep the effort going year-round. NAGC Winner
Date Updated: December 9, 2011
NBC Learn, the National Science Teachers Association and NSF join forces to celebrate the International Year of Chemistry with a video series that explores the chemistry of common objects in our world and the changes they undergo.
Date Updated: November 7, 2011
Whether caused by nature or by humans, disasters are a costly threat. Scientists are working to anticipate and minimize disasters' worst effects. Includes links to interviews with researchers on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Date Updated: September 8, 2011
Engineers of the New Millennium
Explore multimedia stories from engineers who are shaping our new millennium through discoveries in robotics, sustainability and energy. See how their cutting-edge innovations will lead to new industries and help people have happier and healthier lives.
Date Updated: June 28, 2011
As part of the "Green Revolution" series, we visited researchers all over the country and asked them lots of questions about the energy, fuels and technologies they are working on to make our lives better in the future.
Date Updated: April 6, 2011
In honor of the National Science Foundation's 60th anniversary, the National Science Board initiated "Voices From the Future," a lecture series where distinguished speakers make presentations at NSB meetings in 2010.
Date Updated: January 11, 2011