Research programs in photonics at NSF

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 “to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense...” With an annual budget of about $7.0 billion (FY 2012), NSF is the funding source for approximately 20 percent of all federally supported basic research conducted by America's colleges and universities.