The NSF organizations/offices described below are normally of most direct interest to the NSF proposer and awardee community. Consult the NSF website at: http://www.nsf.gov/staff/orglist.jsp for the most current listing of NSF offices/directorates and an organizational chart.
1. National Science Board (NSB)
The NSB was established by Congress in 1950, and along with the Director, constitutes the National Science Foundation. The Board provides oversight for, and establishes the policies of, the agency within the framework of applicable national policies set forth by the President and Congress. In this capacity, the Board identifies issues that are critical to NSF’s future, approves NSF’s strategic budget directions, approves annual budget submissions to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), approves major awards and consults on certain programs, analyzes NSF’s budget to ensure progress and consistency along the strategic direction set for NSF, and ensures balance between initiatives and core programs. In addition, the Board serves as an independent body of advisors to both the President and Congress on broad national policy issues and, together with the Director, recommends and encourages the pursuit of national policies related to science and engineering research and education. The Board is comprised of 24 members appointed by the President. The NSF Director also serves as an ex officio voting member of the Board. Members are selected on the basis of their distinguished service in science and engineering research and education, and are representative of scientific, engineering, and educational leadership throughout the Nation.
2. Program Divisions/Offices
Program Divisions/Offices are responsible for the scientific, technical and programmatic review and evaluation of proposals and for recommending that proposals be declined or awarded. The scientific, engineering and/or educational aspects of an award will be monitored by the NSF Program Officer identified in the award notice. (See Chapter III for a detailed description of the NSF Merit Review Process.) Integral staff in the program division/office relative to the NSF proposal and award process are:
a. NSF Program Officers. Program Officers are considered subject matter experts in both technical and programmatic areas. They conduct merit review of proposals and recommend which projects should be funded by the Foundation.
b. NSF Division Directors. Division Directors are NSF executives whose responsibilities include long-range planning, contributing to the achievement of the Foundation’s strategic goals and objectives, and providing stewardship for budgetary and other resources. They are responsible for ensuring the integrity of the merit review and award process.
3. Division of Grants & Agreements (DGA)
DGA is responsible for the award and administration of the majority of NSF’s assistance awards – i.e., grants, cooperative agreements, and fellowship awards, recommended for support by NSF program offices.
From pre-award through closeout, DGA conducts a variety of business, financial, and administrative reviews to ensure compliance with award terms and conditions and consistency with applicable NSF policies and Federal rules and regulations. DGA provides stewardship and support to a diverse set of stakeholders including awardees, NSF Directorates/Offices, and others within the scientific research and education communities. DGA also maintains a leadership role in the Federal grants arena. In carrying out NSF's primary mission of promoting the progress of science, DGA continually interacts with academic and non-academic institutions, private industry, State and local governments, and other Federal agencies.
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Grants & Agreements Officers (Grants Officers) have delegated warrant authority to issue awards on behalf of the Foundation and their approval constitutes a legal obligation of Federal funds for awardees to expend to fulfill the scope of the approved proposal. In addition, Grants Officers are responsible for issuing all award amendments and certain post-award prior approvals, for monitoring awardee compliance with award terms and conditions, and for the administration and closeout of these awards.
4. Division of Institution & Award Support (DIAS)
DIAS is responsible for the development and implementation of proposal and award policies and procedures, clearance of NSF funding opportunities, advanced monitoring activities, cost analysis and award support, audit resolution, electronic award systems administration, and outreach to the external community. DIAS also advocates for the needs of the research community in NSF electronic research administration activities, including the modernization of NSF’s externally-facing FastLane system via Research.gov. DIAS organizational units are as follows:
a. The Policy Office is responsible for the development, coordination, and issuance of NSF pre- and post-award policies for the assistance programs of NSF. The Policy Office provides guidance on the interpretation of NSF policies and procedures within NSF's electronic proposal and award systems, as well as official clearance for NSF funding opportunities.
The Policy Office coordinates outreach programs for external stakeholders across the broad research community and NSF staff. Through a variety of mechanisms, it releases timely information regarding NSF policies and procedures, proposal preparation, and award management. In addition to working closely with professional research administration associations, the Policy Office coordinates two major grants conferences held at various locations throughout the U.S., typically in the spring and fall of each year.
b. The Cost Analysis and Pre-award (CAP) Branch specializes in determinations with regard to the allowability, allocability and reasonableness of costs either budgeted or claimed under NSF awards. CAP evaluates accounting systems, internal controls, and policies and procedures of prospective and current NSF grantees. Its major functions include: pre-award reviews of new grantees, Phase II research projects involving small businesses; budgets of large-scale awards; and indirect cost rate negotiation. CAP provides guidance to NSF Program and Grants Officers, as well as grantees for questions related to its areas of responsibility.
c. The Resolution and Advanced Monitoring (RAM) Branch specializes in determining the allowability, allocability and reasonableness of costs claimed under NSF awards. RAM also evaluates the accounting systems, internal controls and policies and procedures of current NSF grantees. RAM’s primary responsibilities include: audit resolution, advanced monitoring to assess grantees’ administrative capability, performance, and compliance with award terms and conditions; and review of certain post-award adjustments to expenditures. RAM provides guidance to NSF program staff and grantees for questions related to its areas of responsibility.
d. The Systems Office plays a major role in the design, implementation, administration, and oversight of business rules for assistance awards across NSF electronic corporate systems. It is also responsible for systems analysis and requirements development necessary for the implementation of award business rules.
5. Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Support (DACS)
DACS provides acquisition and cooperative agreement award support for the Foundation. The Contracts Branch is responsible for planning, solicitation, negotiation, award and administration of professional, administrative, and research support contracts for NSF. The Cooperative Support Branch (CSB) is responsible for planning, solicitation, negotiation, award and administration of cooperative agreements for FFRDCs and major research facilities in various stages of construction and operations, including multi-institutional and international programs. This includes participation and input on NSF project advisory
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teams, business process reviews and redesign, risk assessments, and administrative assistance. The CSB Grants & Agreements Officers (Grants Officers) have delegated warrant authority to issue awards on behalf of the Foundation and their approval constitutes a legal obligation of Federal funds for awardees to expend to fulfill the scope of the approved proposal. In addition, Grants Officers are responsible for issuing all award amendments and certain post-award prior approvals, for monitoring awardee compliance with award terms and conditions, and for the administration and closeout of these awards.
6. Division of Financial Management (DFM)
DFM is responsible for the financial policy and financial management of NSF. The Division is responsible for NSF’s financial reporting, grantee business office relationships and payment of vendors. The Cash Management Branch of DFM is available to assist grantee financial and business officials in matters of payment and financial reporting discussed in Chapter VIII of the PAPPG.
7. Large Facilities Office (LFO)
LFO is the Foundation’s primary resource for all oversight practices related to mid-scale and major facility projects and is the NSF-wide resource on project management best practices. LFO has the institutional authority and resources to effectively develop mandatory policies, practices and procedures, which are approved by senior management, for all stages of the facility life-cycle. The Office provides: (1) expert assistance on non-scientific and non-technical aspects of project planning, budgeting, and implementation for mid-scale and major facilities; (2) assurance that all applicable requirements are followed in order to give credence to NSF’s oversight capabilities; and (3) facilitates the use of best practices by fostering coordination and collaboration throughout NSF to share application of lessons learned from prior major facility projects.
8. Office of the General Counsel (OGC)
OGC is the legal advisor and advocate for the Foundation, providing legal advice and counsel on all aspects of the Foundation's programs, policies, and operations, as well as areas affecting science and technology more broadly. Advice is provided in a wide variety of areas, such as: grants and contracts; ethics and conflicts of interest; Freedom of Information Act; Privacy Act; labor and personnel law; environmental law;
Federal fiscal and administrative law and procedure; and international law and agreements.
9. Office of Diversity & Inclusion (ODI)
ODI is responsible for administering the Foundation’s policies, practices and procedures related to internal and external equal opportunity and civil rights. Its mission is to ensure the agency is in compliance with the laws and regulations that govern Federal-sector EEO and civil rights; as well as, to foster a diverse and inclusive work environment that ensures equal opportunity through policy development, workforce analyses, outreach and education to best serve the Foundation's employees and its stakeholders. ODI is also responsible for responding to all civil rights matters pertaining to NSF programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance, including Title IX Compliance activities. In addition, ODI serves as the Foundation’s authority for resolving and responding to all notifications required by NSF’s term and condition regarding sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault. (See Chapter XI.A for additional information.)
10. Office of Inspector General (OIG)
OIG is an independent oversight office that reports directly to the NSB and Congress. It is responsible for conducting audits, reviews, and investigations of NSF programs, and of organizations and individuals that apply for or receive NSF funding. OIG also investigates allegations of research misconduct, such as plagiarism, falsification, or fabrication, involving researchers who request or receive NSF funding (see Chapter XII.C.1). The OIG staff includes scientists, attorneys, auditors, law enforcement personnel,
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evaluators, and information technology specialists. OIG audits focus on NSF’s internal agency programs, as well as grants, cooperative agreements and contracts funded by NSF. Their purpose is to ensure that the financial, administrative, and program activities of NSF are conducted efficiently and effectively, and that the NSF awardee organization’s claimed costs are allowable, reasonable and properly allocated.
OIG investigations focus on program integrity and financial or nonfinancial wrongdoing by organizations and individuals who submit proposals to, receive awards from, conduct business with, or work for NSF, and can result in criminal, civil, or administrative sanctions. Statutory law enforcement authority was granted to OIG by the U.S. Attorney General.
Anyone, including grantees, administrators, and NSF personnel, should contact the OIG, as specified at:
https://www.nsf.gov/oig/report-fraud/ to report instances of possible misconduct, fraud, waste, or abuse.
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