The National Science Foundation was established in 1950 (64 Stat. 149) to promote the progress of science; advance the national health, prosperity and welfare; and secure the national defense. The records of the National Science Foundation, exclusive of those covered by the General Records Schedules, are described in the following items and apply to the records wherever they are located. Unless specified, the retention periods in this schedule set forth the minimum number of years the records must be retained following close of file or date of document. The proposed schedules have been listed according to uniqueness of an office and then unique to the agency as a whole.