Outline
The First 50 Years: Historical Snapshots
Current Trends/Priorities
The Next 50 Years: Forces & Trajectories
Notes:
My talk today will include a mix of history and predications. NSF is currently celebrating its 50th Anniversary. The actual anniversary is May 10, 2000 – which marks 50 years to the day since President Harry Truman signed the NSF Act of 1950.
I’ll share a few snapshots from the Foundation’s first 50 years – emphasizing the role of engineering in shaping the agency’s first half century.
Then, we’ll make a brief stop in the present day. I’ll review the new Strategic Plan we are developing for NSF– along with a few funding trends that deserve our attention.
Then, we’ll look ahead – and try to identify a few of the forces and trajectories that will shape the next 50 years for NSF and for science and engineering generally.