The National Science Foundation (NSF) supports basic research and education in the non-medical sciences and engineering. Congress established the foundation as an independent federal agency through the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 to “promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense; and for other purposes.” The NSF is a major source of federal support for U.S. university research, especially in such areas as the social sciences, mathematics, and computer science. It is also responsible for substantial shares of the federal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education program portfolio and federal STEM student aid and support.

The NSF is an independent federal agency. Although governed by the congressional and administration budget and oversight processes, NSF’s independent status has provided it with greater institutional autonomy than some other federal agencies. Some analysts assert that this autonomy protects NSF’s scientific mission. It may also be perceived as existing in tension with other public values, such as accountability. The tension between independence and accountability is an enduring policy theme for the NSF. It is reflected in historical debates over the agency’s authorization period and the role of Congress in topics such as grant-making and research prioritization.