National Science Foundation (NSF)

This week, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan met with representatives from Australia, including Doug Hilton, CEO of CSIRO, Dharmini Robertson, U.S. and Canada Science Counsellor at CSIRO, and Geoff Mason, Australian Ambassador to the U.S. The group discussed opportunities to advance joint research on a range of topics, including artificial intelligence (AI), clean energy and critical minerals to benefit both nations. The exchange of ideas with the Australian delegation provided a valuable opportunity to align strategic priorities and explore new avenues for joint initiatives. In support of the growing need for an AI-ready workforce, NSF announced an investment of nearly $8 million in five innovative projects under the NSF EducateAI initiative. These projects are designed to provide state-of-the-art, inclusive AI education nationwide. By leveraging the resources of the NSF National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Pilot, these efforts will expand access to AI research and training, particularly for underrepresented groups and institutions across a wide range of regions. This investment aligns with national priorities and ensures that the next generation is equipped with the skills to navigate and lead in the AI-driven future. Yesterday, NSF announced an amazing discovery, one that combines fundamental science and mathematics with cutting-edge engineering to create an entirely new way of seeing inside a living body. With NSF support, Stanford University researchers used common food dye to safely and temporarily render skin and other tissues transparent in mice. From digestion to blood circulation, the invisible was now visible. If proven safe and effective for people, the implications are profound, from detecting injuries to detecting cancers. This medical breakthrough was supported by a number of federal and private sources, but it would not have succeeded without the sustained, forward-looking investments of NSF's CAREER, EAGER, National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure and Graduate Research Fellowship Program programs. Learn more about this incredible study in Science Magazine and at https://bit.ly/3AUS8ek All of this would not have been possible without the hardworking and passionate individuals behind the scenes, whose invaluable efforts and commitment continue to push the boundaries of discovery and innovation. Director Panchanathan was delighted to celebrate the NSF staff and their achievements yesterday at the NSF Director's Awards— which highlights the talent and dedication that drive the agency's mission forward. Their work exemplifies the core values that are central to the NSF mission. Together, these initiatives reflect NSF's commitment to fostering groundbreaking research, broadening access to emerging technologies and strengthening global partnerships to tackle today's most pressing challenges. 📷: Charlotte Geary/NSF

The U.S. National Science Foundation is investing $39 million to expand quantum research across America through the NSF Expanding Capacity in Quantum Information Science and Engineering (NSF ExpandQISE) program. This investment supports 23 innovative research projects, training and educational activities at up-and-coming programs at institutions seeking to build their own quantum research and development infrastructure. "Maintaining our country's global leadership in quantum information science demands that we engage the full spectrum of talent that's waiting to be unleashed from each and every U.S. community," said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. The 23 new investments will benefit faculty and staff across various U.S. higher education institutions. This includes seven states engaged in the NSF Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, which aims to bolster research in areas historically underfunded. Additionally, 19 emerging research institutions — colleges and universities with established programs but less than $50 million in annual federally supported research expenditures — will receive support. The grants also extend to seven minority-serving institutions, encompassing four historically Black colleges and universities and three Hispanic-serving institutions. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3ThuKy1

I can see into you…? While much investigation remains before this can be tested with people, #NSFfunded researchers at Stanford University have used common food dye to make skin and muscle safely and reversibly transparent, revealing organs, blood flow and even digestion in sleeping animals. This groundbreaking discovery has the potential to be applied to various medical diagnostics, from locating injuries to monitoring digestive disorders to identifying cancers. Results were published in Science Magazine. Learn more at: https://bit.ly/3yXxQjV (Do not try this at home!) #science

On July 7, 2024, Hurricane Beryl hit Houston, Texas, devastating entire communities with injury and loss of life and leaving more than two million people without power. In the aftermath, officials estimate the hurricane’s damage around $3.3 billion. To aid in the relief effort, the Houston-based #NSFfunded startup Resilitix.AI partnered with local organizations to assist with "disaster situational awareness" — a term which Resilitix's founder, Ali Mostafavi, describes as information for emergency teams to identify areas in need and reduce the response time typically experienced in emergencies. By harnessing community-scale data and machine learning through NSF-supported digital twin technology, Resilitix offers a predictive lens in community preparedness, evacuation measures, protective actions and post-event recovery. This innovative technology promises effective aid for future climate hazards, with great potential to enhance public safety and improve the societal well-being of millions of people. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e4FPgDkS

Every year, NSF awards an early career researcher with the Alan T. Waterman award for their outstanding contributions to science and engineering. The awardee will receive $1 million to conduct their research over five years! The deadline for nominations is Sept. 20, 2024: https://bit.ly/4dS8uDg.

NSF invests in #BioFoundries to drive advances across science and engineering. 🧪 NSF BioFoundries are integrated facilities that enable rapid designing, creating and testing of tools and products to advance the bioeconomy. 📈 Five awards totaling $75 million will support the creation of five biofoundries that will spur innovation, provide tools and technologies to researchers nationwide, and help advance biology, biotechnology and the broader science, technology, engineering and mathematics enterprise. "Across all fields of science and engineering, addressing grand challenges requires access to advanced technologies, sophisticated instrumentation and workflows, but not every researcher at every institution can access those critical capabilities," said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. "The new NSF BioFoundries will help democratize access to critical research infrastructure, helping to spur opportunities everywhere so innovation can happen anywhere. Not only will these NSF BioFoundries advance biology, they also will lead to developments in artificial intelligence, data storage, health, climate resilience and more." https://bit.ly/4g8VBGn

TOMORROW! Tune in for the Waterman awardee distinguished lecture "Advancing community-engaged pharmacogenomics with Indigenous communities" by Katrina G. Claw, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. 📅 Date: Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. 🕦 Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. EDT. 🔗 Zoom link: https://bit.ly/3XsAtmZ For more information: https://bit.ly/3MxJBke This talk is part of a three-part series featuring the 2024 Alan T. Waterman Award laureates.

⚛ Researchers make an atomic-level discovery on how the COVID-19 virus latches onto and enters human cells. A team led by researchers with the NSF Physics Frontiers Center for Theoretical Biological Physics at Rice University reported that their findings are based on atomic-scale images acquired through cryo-electron tomography combined with computer simulations and theoretical predictions. Their work revealed the shape-changing sequence that allows coronavirus proteins to fuse with human cells. "Understanding the fundamental physical workings within intricate biological mechanisms is essential for developing more effective and universal treatments that can protect our health and save lives," says Saul Gonzalez, director of the NSF Division of Physics. https://bit.ly/3TbWaoM 📷: Mikey Grunst, Yale University #NSFfunded #covid19 #caronavirus

This week, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan engaged with leaders and innovators at the University of Oregon and Oregon State University (OSU), focusing on the future of workforce development, the economic impact of public research universities, and NSF-supported research. In Fiscal Year 2023, NSF invested over $121 million in Oregon to advance research, innovation and education. At the University of Oregon, the director participated in discussions on workforce development and a roundtable on economic contributions with NSF Chief Science Officer Karen Marrongelle and former Congressman Peter DeFazio. The visit concluded with a tour of the Center for Advanced Materials Characterization in Oregon (CAMCOR). At Oregon State University, Panchanathan spoke with the campus research community about NSF's strategic direction and the crucial universities play in driving next-generation science and innovation. He also participated in a roundtable discussion on semiconductor technology innovation and workforce development, highlighting OSU's leadership in this critical field. Key participants included OSU semiconductor research and development and education leaders such as Sanjay Natarajan, senior vice president and co-general manager Intel Corporation; Arun Agarwal, R&D director for the Advanced Technology and Strategy Lab at HP; and representatives from state and industry partners. In addition to these engagements, on Tuesday, the agency announced a $14.5 million investment in its NSF Innovation in Two-Year College in STEM Education program. "Community colleges play a critical role in training people from all parts of the country for a variety of STEM careers, including future scientists, engineers and technicians," noted Panchanathan. On Thursday, NSF also announced a $39 million investment through the NSF Expanding Capacity in Quantum Information Science and Engineering program to grow quantum research activities at more institutions nationwide. "Maintaining our country's global leadership in quantum information science demands that we engage the full spectrum of talent that's waiting to be unleashed from each and every U.S. community," said Panchanathan. These initiatives represent significant strides in expanding opportunities and capabilities across the nation's educational landscape. 📷: Oregon State University; Kim Silverman/NSF

Have you ever wondered what it takes to build your own startup company? 👩💼💼 America’s Seed Fund, powered by NSF, awards $200+ million in research and development funding to about 400 startups across the United States each year. An upcoming webinar with an NSF Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer program director will answer questions about how to get started, the basics of eligibility, and what they look for when they review project pitches. Join the Zoom call Thursday, Sept. 5, 2-3 p.m. EDT. Register today: https://bit.ly/3MqKCdH 📷: America's Seed Fund powered by the National Science Foundation (NSF SBIR/STTR) #AmericasSeedFund #NSFSBIR #startup