National Science Foundation Act of 1950

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The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 is the U.S. federal law that created the National Science Foundation, establishing a national framework for supporting and promoting scientific research and education.

Aliases (2)
  • NSF Act of 1950 ×1
  • National Science Foundation Act amendments ×1

Statements (47)
Predicate Object
instanceOf United States federal statute
founding statute
amended later U.S. science and education statutes
authorizes federal support for basic scientific research
federal support for science education programs
codifiedIn Title 42 of the United States Code
congressNumber 81st United States Congress
country United States
created National Science Foundation
createdToAddress need for a permanent federal agency to support science
dateEnacted May 10, 1950
defines composition of the National Science Board
functions of the National Science Foundation
enactedBy United States Congress
establishedAgency National Science Foundation
establishes National Science Board
framework for federal support of basic research
excludes direct military research management
governs federal funding mechanisms for basic science through NSF
historicalContext post–World War II U.S. science policy
influencedBy Vannevar Bush report "Science, the Endless Frontier"
jurisdiction federal government of the United States
language English
legalBasisFor operations of the National Science Foundation
policyArea education policy
science and technology policy
providesFor appointment of a Director of the National Science Foundation
grant-making authority for scientific research
publicLawNumber Public Law 81-507
purpose to advance the national health
to advance the national prosperity
to promote the progress of science
to secure the national defense
region United States
relatedBody National Science Board
relatedOrganization National Science Foundation
scope civilian scientific research
sectorAffected STEM education
universities and research institutions
shortName NSF Act of 1950
signedBy Harry S. Truman
signingPresident Harry S. Truman
subject science education
scientific research
typeOfSupport fellowships and scholarships in science and engineering
grants for basic scientific research
yearEnacted 1950


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