National Science Board to meet November 28 - 29, 2018, in Alexandria, VA

November 26, 2018

The National Science Board (NSB, Board) will meet November 28 - 29, 2018, to address science and engineering policy issues relevant to the National Science Foundation (NSF). Members of the media and the public are invited to open portions of the meeting, which will also be webcast: https://www.tvworldwide.com/events/nsf/181128/. The meeting agenda is available here.

Meeting sessions open to the public on Wednesday, November 28, 2018:

NSB Plenary (8:00 – 9:15 a.m.)

NSB Chair Diane Souvaine and NSF Director France Córdova will provide overviews of recent activities, including the Board’s October retreat and recent statement on security of science.

Committee on Strategy (9:15 –  10:45 a.m.)

Agenda items include an update on NSF’s fiscal year 2019 budget request, a portfolio presentation from the directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and a discussion of NSB’s Vision Project.

Committee on Oversight (11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.)

The committee’s agenda includes the fiscal year 2018 Financial Statement Audit and Federal Information Security Management Act report, an update on large procurements, and an initial concept for updating NSF’s Merit Review report. There will also be presentations from the Office of the Director on the responsible conduct of research and on reducing administrative burdens on research.  

Committee on Awards and Facilities (3:30 – 4:00 p.m.)

Key committee agenda items include an update on the National Ecological Observatory Network and a new Awards and Facilities Action Approval Process Policy document.

National Science Board Plenary (4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

The Board will have a discussion with leaders from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Meeting sessions open to the public on Thursday, November 29, 2018:

Committee on National Science and Engineering Policy (8:15 – 9:20 a.m.)

The agenda includes an update on the Science and Engineering Indicators thematic reports.  The committee will also discuss the roadmap for “reimaging Indicators,” the Board’s draft policy companion brief, and possible topics for future NSB policy briefs.

Committee on External Engagement (9:20 – 10:00 a.m.)

The committee will discuss topics for NSB’s suite of one-pager resources. Also on the agenda: a recommendation that Board members meet with their Members of Congress during congressional work periods in their home district; and the intent and goals of an NSB Alumni Network Pilot Project.

Skilled Technical Workforce Task Force (10:00 – 10:45 a.m.)

Agenda items include an update from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics on efforts to gather policy-relevant information on the skilled technical workforce. In addition, members will discuss progress to date and next steps for the remainder of the Task Force’s charter.

National Science Board Plenary (1:15 – 1:45 p.m.)

The Plenary will feature remarks by NSB Chair Diane Souvaine and NSF Director France Córdova, open committee reports, and a vote on the Office of Inspector General Semi-Annual Report and Management Response.

Closed portions of the November meeting include an update on the fiscal year 2020 budget submission, a vote on an action item referred by the Committee on Awards and Facilities, and discussion of recommendations for NSB’s 2019 honorary awardees.

About the National Science Board

The National Science Board and the National Science Foundation's Director jointly head NSF. NSB identifies issues critical to NSF's future and establishes the Foundation's policies. The NSB also provides the President and Congress with Science and Engineering Indicators, a biennial report on U.S. progress in science and technology. Members are appointed by the President for six-year terms and selected for their eminence in research, education and records of distinguished service.

Note: Reporters are invited to attend all open sessions, subject to provisions of the Government in the Sunshine Act. All sessions will be held at the NSF headquarters at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia.  Journalists interested in attending and covering the meeting should contact Nadine Lymn at (703) 292-2490 or nlymn@nsf.gov.

Useful NSB Web Sites:

Home Page: http://www.nsf.gov/nsb
Media Contact: http://www.nsf.gov/staff/staff_bio.jsp?lan=nlymn&org=NSF
News: http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/news
Meetings: http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/meetings
Publications: http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/publications
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalScienceBoard
Twitter: Twitter: https://twitter.com/intent/user?screen_name=NSF_NSB
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkrHRzuGSrPp2haQs0T_Pww