National Science Board Invites Nominations
The National Science Board (NSB) requests assistance in the nomination process for candidates for the eight Board positions that will become vacant on 10 May 2022. Nominations — including self-nominations — are due by 31 May 2021.
The NSB was established by Congress in 1950 and has two important roles. First, it provides oversight for, and establishes the policies of, the National Science Foundation (NSF). Second, it serves as an independent body of advisors to both the president and Congress on broad national policy issues related to science and engineering research and education.
The 24 NSB members are appointed by the president for six-year terms, with one-third of the membership renewed every two years. The Board is responsible for assembling and transmitting recommendations to the White House for appointments from various scientific, engineering, and educational organizations and societies. Candidates apply or are nominated via the NSB nominations form. No login is required. As noted above, nominations (including self-nominations) are due at the end of May 2021; the selection process takes about a year to complete.
Congress has stipulated that the Board should be composed of broadly experienced individuals of distinguished achievement and representative of a broad range of disciplinary interests. It also draws attention to the need for equitable representation of individuals from underrepresented groups and provides explicit criteria and eligibility requirements for membership on the Board, as described in the legislation establishing the Board. The Board, in its review of candidates, also considers the demographics, professional fields, active researchers/teachers and administrators, and industrial representation when making recommendations to the White House. Additional information about this year’s solicitation, as well as a list of current NSB members, including their terms of office and affiliations, is available in a PDF.