NSF Director Statement: This week with NSF Director Panchanathan
December 10, 2024
Dear NSF Community,
I hope that you had a great week and enjoyed the start of the holiday season.
This past week, I had the opportunity to take part in a number of events that highlighted our agency’s commitment to its core mission to promote the progress of science and advance the nation’s health, prosperity, and welfare.
FY Budget Hearing
The week kicked off with a FY2025 budget hearing before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. I was pleased to present the Biden Administration’s request for $10.5 billion for NSF which represents a $1.3 billion or 14.3 percent increase over our FY2024 appropriation. The request provides a substantial investment in research and development across all disciplines supported by NSF. The request will enable NSF to support a new class of approximately 3,000 graduate research fellows and 300 postdoctoral research fellows, increasing the number of NSF-supported fellows by 50%.
National Materials Genome Initiative (NMGI) Showcase
On Wednesday, I joined Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm for the inaugural National Materials Genome Initiative Showcase to announce the launch of the Materials Innovation Collaborative (MIC). The MIC is a new NSF-DOE-NIST initiative that will advance innovation-driven national materials research by federating data activities within the Materials Genome Initiative (MGI).
Energy, Water, and Sustainability Showcase
I then had the pleasure of joining Secretary Granholm once again at the Energy, Water, and Sustainability Showcase, organized by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). The showcase highlighted NSF investments in research on a range of topics critical to our nation’s energy, water, and sustainability challenges.
Remarks at the Aspen Institute
To end the week, I delivered remarks at the Aspen Institute Future of Work Initiative event on “The Future of Work is Now: What Role for Education and Research?” There, I underscored how critical fundamental research is for the U.S. economy and society. I highlighted NSF’s activities in areas such as the Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier, mid-career workforce development, and apprenticeships.
Upcoming Events
I will be out of the office for the next two weeks to attend the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting 2024 in New Orleans and to travel to India. I look forward to connecting with members of the research community at AGU and to learning more about the cutting-edge science being conducted between the United States and India.
Holiday Wishes
On behalf of the entire NSF team, I wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season.
Warmest regards, Sethuraman Panchanathan Director National Science Foundation
This week with NSF Director Panchanathan
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