NSF's National Security Mission for the Twenty-First Century

The U.S. National Science Foundation (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, and to secure the national defense." The NSF's national security mission, rooted in this founding act, involves promoting fundamental science and engineering to advance national defense, health, and prosperity, and ensuring that the nation maintains its leadership in critical technologies like AI, quantum, and biotech. Sustaining this mission into the twenty-first century will require complementing investments in basic research with accelerating innovation and translating discoveries into commercial and security advantages, drawing on new initiatives like the Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP).

CSIS Renewing American Innovation, together with NSF acting director Brian Stone and key scholars and NSF stakeholders, is proud to host a half-day multi-panel event on NSF's national security mission and how it can address the unique challenges of the twenty-first century and the rise of China as a technological and military competitor. 

This event was made possible through support from the National Science Foundation (NSF).