NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation

government

NSF is relevant to AI safety primarily as a major funder of academic AI research and a policy actor shaping U.S. research priorities; useful reference for understanding public funding landscape.

Metadata

Importance: 30/100homepage

Summary

The NSF is the primary U.S. federal agency funding basic research and education across all non-medical fields of science and engineering. It supports a broad portfolio of research including computer science, AI, and emerging technologies critical to national competitiveness. NSF funding decisions shape the direction of academic research relevant to AI safety and alignment.

Key Points

•Primary U.S. federal funder of basic scientific research across engineering, computing, and social sciences
•Funds AI-related research including responsible AI, fairness, transparency, and safety initiatives
•Sets research priorities that influence academic pipelines producing AI safety researchers
•Administers grant programs relevant to AI governance, ethics, and technical safety research
•Collaborates with other agencies on national AI strategy and workforce development

Cited by 1 page

Page	Type	Quality
AI Safety Research Value Model	Analysis	60.0

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![A scientist wearing protective lab gear holds up a flask containing a blue liquid.](https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/hero_small/s3/2025-09/Electra_R%26D%20Lab.png.webp?VersionId=g_urilMLDL8SczgjsQEwW30u66k35_UY&itok=z7gtlBzU)

# Innovation Anywhere,   Opportunity Everywhere

NSF is an independent federal agency that supports

science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories.

[Learn more](https://www.nsf.gov/about)

[View image credit & caption](https://www.nsf.gov/#image-caption-credit-block)

## Find Funding

- [Search for Funding](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities)

- [Search NSF Awards](https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/)

- [Explore NSF Focus Areas](https://www.nsf.gov/focus-areas)


## How to Apply

- [Preparing a Proposal](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/preparing-proposal)

- [Submitting a Proposal](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/submitting-proposal)

- [Policies and Procedures](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg)


## About NSF

- [Agency Overview](https://www.nsf.gov/about)

- [NSF Impacts](https://www.nsf.gov/impacts)

- [News & Announcements](https://www.nsf.gov/news)


## What's new

![A corn field.](https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/content_highlight_600x360_3_5_/s3/media_hub/ag_landscape4_h.jpg?VersionId=maGUp5P629H9WF0cLpU0t6iZw0lZAvX7&itok=jq9Zu-pN)

## [Boosting crops with biotechnology](https://www.nsf.gov/impacts/agriculture)

NSF's investments in agricultural biotechnologies are transforming food and fiber production.

March 2, 2026

![An illustration of Rubin Observatory with the Milky Way galaxy in the background and many "data alerts."](https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/news_teaser/s3/media_hub/A%20-%20Rubin%20Alerts%20hero%20image%20png.png?VersionId=SAtO3Gv.Ka40CTHfvGDcEqZFstCHT_Vj&itok=YcGEtXdU)

### [NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory launches real-time discovery machine for monitoring the night sky](https://www.nsf.gov/news/nsf-doe-vera-c-rubin-observatory-launches-real-time)

February 25, 2026

![NSF logo](https://www.nsf.gov/themes/custom/nsf_theme/components/molecules/logo/logo-vector.svg)

### [NSF to proceed with demolition and site restoration at Sacramento Peak Observatory](https://www.nsf.gov/news/nsf-proceed-demolition-site-restoration-sacramento-peak)

February 24, 2026

![three images displaying the use of digital twin](https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/news_teaser/s3/media_hub/Digital%20Twin%20Science%20Matters%20Hero.jpg?VersionId=urOTZGlfFPIZMqMmosAoA_GARUo6K1C.&itok=PATwd7Lj)

### [Digital twins: Virtual models with real-world impacts](https://www.nsf.gov/science-matters/digital-twins-virtual-models-real-world-impacts)

February 20, 2026

[Explore all news](https://www.nsf.gov/news "Explore all news")

## Get the latest news on topics you choose, right in your inbox.

[Sign up](https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNSF/subscriber/new?qsp=823 "Sign up")

- [![Facebook](https://www.nsf.gov/libraries/nsf_iconset/facebook-icon_square_32x32.png)](https://www.fac

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