Press Statement 20-002

National Science Foundation and Smithsonian sign letter of agreement

Agreement establishes parameters for expanding future collaboration



March 12, 2020



A new letter of agreement expands and clarifies collaboration between the National Science Foundation and the Smithsonian Institution. Per the conditions of the agreement, NSF will review proposals from Smithsonian Institution researchers in the same manner as proposals submitted by researchers from institutions of higher education. Additionally, NSF will sponsor a new position at the National Portrait Gallery to elevate stories from the most accomplished scientists in the United States. In recognition of the collaboration, NSF Director France Córdova issued the following statement:

More than a century separates the establishment of the Smithsonian Institution and the establishment of the National Science Foundation, but we share a common goal: to increase knowledge and then share that knowledge with the world. Our agreement opens new possibilities for groundbreaking research and for opportunities to dramatically impact public understanding of science and technology. The possibilities for what we can accomplish together are truly exciting.

The letter is available online.

-NSF-

Media Contacts

Media Affairs, National Science Foundation, (703) 292-7090, email: media@nsf.gov



The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2020 budget of $8.3 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

Get News Updates by Email

Connect with us online

NSF website: nsf.gov

NSF News: nsf.gov/news

For News Media: nsf.gov/news/newsroom

Statistics: nsf.gov/statistics/

Awards database: nsf.gov/awardsearch/

Follow us on social

Twitter: twitter.com/NSF and twitter.com/NSFspox

Facebook: facebook.com/US.NSF Instagram: instagram.com/nsfgov