1 Investing in America’s Future The National Science Foundation Strategic Plan for FY Advisory Committee for Cyberinfrastructure 10/31/06 Craig Robinson, Ph.D. Senior Advisor (BFA/BD)

2 February 2007 NSF Budget Request FY2008 NSF Strategic Plan Timeline September 2006 Strategic Plan FY American Competitiveness Initiative (Feb ’06) NSB 2020 Vision (Dec ’05) Comments from Public, NSF Staff, NSB, Advisory Committees, Others… nsf.gov (Special Notice)

3 Feb ’06: AC Chairs Teleconference with Drs. Bement & Olsen Apr-May ’06: AC Input on Draft Spring ’06: AC Discussions Dec’05-Feb’06: Discussions with Congressional Staff Sep’05-Sep’06: OMB discussions and clearance Nov ’05: Initial Discussion Dec ’05: NSB 2020 Vision for NSF Mar-Sep ’06: Discussions and Approval Strategic Plan Development Dec ’05 – Jan ’06: Comments on 2003 Plan Jun-Jul ’06: Comments on Draft Plan Sept ’05: Comments on 2003 Plan Jan-Sep ’06: Internal website with drafts and comments; DIR/Office Deputies on Strategic Planning Group

4 What’s New? Strategic Goal Names are Focused on Outcomes Each Strategic Goal has 3-5 Year Investment Priorities New Vision Stressing Discovery, Innovation, Education, Workforce, and Moving Beyond Current S&E Frontiers Six Considerations for Future Major Investments Input Frequently Solicited, Received and Used from our Advisory Committees, NSB, NSF Staff, Academe, Professional Societies and the Public

5 Examples of Changes Based Upon Input (staff, ACs, NSB and public)

6 Vision (New) Advancing discovery, innovation and education beyond the frontiers of current knowledge, and empowering future generations in science and engineering. Examples of Changes Based Upon Input (staff, ACs, NSB and public)

7 Mission Unchanged Mission (NSF Act of 1950) To promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense.

8 Plan Sections I. Introduction: Strategic Planning in a Changing Landscape II. Mission and Core Values III. Vision and Goals IV. Investment Priorities V. Translating the Plan into Action Appendix: Expert Evaluations and Assessments

9 NSF in a Changing Landscape The NSF Strategic Plan responds to the… Emerging new modes of inquiry and new tools for investigation Page 2

10 NSF in a Changing Landscape The NSF Strategic Plan responds to the… Globally increasing pace, scope, and impact of fundamental science and engineering  Discoveries are emerging at an accelerating pace  Reduced time from initial basic research to application  S&E addressing global questions of significant societal importance (e.g. epidemics, natural disasters, alternative energy sources) requiring international collaborations Escalating need to improve STEM education and technical workforce development  Bringing new discoveries into classrooms  Developing a scientifically and technically literate workforce  Build capacity in the workforce for productive international collaborations

11 American Competitiveness Initiative significantly changed the future budget estimates for NSF

12 Strategic Goals Four NSF-Wide Goals Discovery Advancing frontiers of knowledge Learning S&E workforce and scientific literacy Research Infrastructure Advanced instrumentation and facilities Stewardship Supporting excellence in S&E research and education “Build the nation’s research capability through critical investments in advanced instrumentation, facilities, cyberinfrastructure and experimental tools.”

13 Interrelated Strategic Outcome Goals

14 Links Between ACI and NSF Strategic Goals American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) Fundamental Research Transformative Facilities & Infrastructure 21 st Century Workforce NSF Strategic Goals Discovery Research Infrastructure Learning

15 Future Investment Considerations Process of balancing investments among several factors (in alphabetical order) : Alignment with mission, vision, goals and objectives Budget – balance investments with funding levels Integration of research with education Leveraging collaborations – create a variety of opportunities for national and international collaboration Potential for impact and transformation Urgency and readiness – capture timely opportunities

16 NSF VISION: Advancing discovery, innovation, and education beyond the frontiers of current knowledge, and empowering future generations in science and engineering. MISSION: To promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense (NSF Act of 1950) Strategic Goals Discovery Advancing frontiers of knowledge Learning S&E workforce and scientific literacy Research Infrastructure Advanced instrumentation and facilities Stewardship Supporting excellence in S&E research and education STRATEGIC PLAN FY06-FY11 Cross-Cutting Objectives To Inspire and Transform To Grow and Develop Investment Priorities

17 Example Investment Priorities (Discovery) Advance fundamental research in computational science and engineering… – … to power the use of next-generation cyberinfrastructure and networking (pages 6-7) (Learning) Integrate research with education, and build capacity. …utilize advanced cyberinfrastructure to transform the way we learn, teach and prepare an IT-literate workforce (pages 7-8).

18 Example Investment Priorities (Research Infrastructure) Develop a comprehensive, integrated cyberinfrastructure to drive discovery in all fields of science and engineering. (page 9) (Stewardship) Reach out to the various communities we serve, especially through the use of cyberinfrastructure-enabled communications. (page 11)

19 You are here

20 Strategic Planning and Performance: An Ongoing Process In evaluating progress against this plan as well as looking toward the next, NSF will continue listening to and seeking feedback from…  The National Science Board  Our Advisory Committees  Our staff  The science, engineering and education community  The public