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Pennsylvania “The impact of NSF goes well beyond providing critical support for scientific discovery. NSF funding supports emerging scholarship and serves to advance the health, welfare and security of our nation. In today’s global world it is also essential that we develop a skilled workforce in science and engineering, and the NSF is an indispensable partner in meeting that goal.” -Graham B. Spanier President, The Pennsylvania State University THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) is the only federal agency whose mission includes support for all fields of fundamental science and engineering. BY THE NUMBERS Pennsylvania in FY 2012 $261 Million: NSF funds awarded 7th: National ranking in NSF funds 82: NSF-funded institutions 1,137: NSF grants awarded 15: NSF research centers/facilities EXAMPLES OF NSF-FUNDED RESEARCH IN PENNSYLVANIA Penn State researchers are studying electrical power grids to assess and mitigate vulnerabilities. Their discoveries may lead to safer and more efficient electric grids in the future. An international team of researchers led by Lehigh University is developing a microscopic glass scaffold to aid in bone regeneration. University of Pittsburgh researchers are developing interactive tutoring software which gauges human emotional response. Learning models utilizing emotional response significantly outperform those without the technology. INVESTMENT IN SCIENCE = INVESTMENT IN PENNSYLVANIA The University of Pennsylvania, a large recipient of NSF funding, conducts over $643 million in annual research. The four major research universities—Carnegie Mellon, Penn State, The University of Pennsylvania, and The University of Pittsburgh— employ 100,284 people, conduct $2.6 billion in annual research, and have spun out 107 businesses in the past five years. Innovation Park, a complex for businesses adjacent to Penn State, helps transfer knowledge from the University to the marketplace. Pennsylvania, a large recipient of NSF funding, ranked third in the nation in job growth for 2010. With $8.5 billion in direct and indirect economic impact, Penn State contributes more to the state’s economy annually than any other industry. Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) 1527 Eighteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 www.cnsfweb.org Pennsylvania THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) not only funds cutting-edge research at institutions across the country; NSF’s education initiatives ensure the U.S. will remain a global leader in innovation for generations to come. Since 1952, NSF has supported 45,000 graduate students through research fellowships. In FY 2012, NSF provided more than $46 million in educational and human resource funding to Pennsylvania. EXAMPLES OF NSF-FUNDED EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN PENNSYLVANIA The City as a Learning Lab is a new project the University of Pittsburgh has begun. The program studies the use of robotics in informal education and identifies features of university-community collaboration that facilitate sustainable community programs. Penn State University participates in the Targeted Math and Science Partnership. As part of the program, faculty in geosciences, astronomy, and engineering facilitate professional development workshops for 4th--9th grade teachers in order to foster student engagement through deeper understanding of complex issues. Lafayette College participates in the Leadership in Engineering and Computer Science Program. With the goal of recruiting and retaining traditionally underrepresented scholars in the two fields, researchers are studying the effectiveness of different strategies. EXAMPLES OF NSF-FUNDED FACILITIES Penn State’s Center for Dielectric Studies plays a leadership role in the development of next-generation electronic components and the understanding of materials for use in electronic devices. The center also provides the opportunity for students to interact with industrial representatives, forming ties that often lead to promising careers. The Real Time Multi-Directional Testing Facility (RTMD) at Lehigh University is the Centerpiece of NSF’s ongoing priority to understand earthquakes and prevent or mitigate the damage they cause. Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) 1527 Eighteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 www.cnsfweb.org