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The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent agency of the United States government that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. It is the funding source for approximately 24 percent of all federally supported basic research conducted by America's colleges and universities. In many fields such as mathematics, computer science, economics, and the social sciences, NSF is the major source of federal backing.

NSF was established by 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..." NSF is governed by a 24-member National Science Board (NSB) whose members are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The NSB establishes NSF policies and approves the agency's annual budget, which in fiscal year 2021 was $8.5 billion.

NSF's mission is to "promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense." NSF fulfills this mission by supporting research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. NSF's funding supports a wide range of research, from basic research to applied research. NSF also supports a variety of educational programs, from K-12 education to graduate education.

NSF is committed to ensuring that the nation has a diverse and well-trained workforce in science and engineering. NSF supports a variety of programs to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in science and engineering. NSF also supports a variety of programs that promote science and engineering literacy among the general public.

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