This week with NSF Director Panchanathan

Last week, the U.S. National Science Foundation made major strides in research, innovation and conservation, marked by key announcements and engagement with the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE).

On August 20, Director Sethuraman Panchanathan joined Revolution Chairman/CEO, AOL Co-Founder, and NACIE Co-Chair Steve Case; former President, The Ohio State University, and NACIE Co-Chair Kristina Johnson; and Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of USPTO Kathi Vidal to co-chair a meeting of NACIE. The director highlighted the ongoing implementation of recommendations from their February 2024 report, "Competitiveness Through Entrepreneurship: A Strategy for U.S. Innovation." This national strategy strengthens America's ability to compete as the world's leading nation of startup companies.

That same day, NSF announced a $16 million investment in 10 projects to address conservation challenges in partnership with the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. These projects, supported through the NSF Partnership to Advance Conservation Science and Practice program, aim to translate basic science into real-world applications.

NSF announced $38 million in new support through the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research for researchers in Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Rhode Island. These investments through the NSF E-CORE RII and NSF E-RISE RII programs bolster research infrastructure, foster new partnerships, and enhance STEM workforce development in regions that have historically received less funding. 

On August 21, NSF unveiled four new Engineering Research Centers with a potential 10-year investment of up to $208 million. These centers will focus on pioneering advancements in biotechnology, manufacturing, robotics, and sustainability. "NSF's Engineering Research Centers ask big questions to catalyze solutions with far-reaching impacts," said Director Panchanathan. 

The director's emphasis on workforce development was also spotlighted in a recent Forbes article, where he underscored the importance of community colleges in supporting the success of NSF Engines: "None of the Regional Innovation Engines will be successful if we don't have the capacity of the skilled technical workforce unleashed at full force and full scale, everywhere."

Through targeted and strategic investments, NSF continues to empower the next generation of scientists and engineers, ensuring a brighter future for all.