NSF Establishes New Directorate to Expand Science, Engineering Career Opportunities

The National Science Foundation, an independent research and education federal agency, has established a new directorate focused on driving innovation in science and engineering.

NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan said the new Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Directorate will accelerate efforts to commercialize technologies with the potential to address societal and economic challenges.

“TIP will be a game-changer in terms of the pace of technological breakthroughs, future job growth and national competitiveness,” Panchanathan said during a session titled “Reinvigorating Science and Technology for the Future of U.S. Innovation.”

TIP will launch initiatives to advance emerging technologies, accelerate the transition of research from laboratories and create more educational opportunities for a diverse workforce, NSF said Wednesday.

Some of the emerging industries of focus are trustworthy artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity, next-generation wireless networks, microelectronics, semiconductors and quantum computing.

NSF said that the directorate will also support the foundation’s goal of reaching the “missing millions” from underrepresented communities in the science, technology, education and mathematics fields. 

TIP will establish regional “innovation engines” to encourage applied research, entrepreneurship and workforce development in regional industries.

On the education side, NSF said the directorate will help increase the number of academic pathways available for people seeking high-paying and good-quality jobs in science and education.

Erwin Gianchandani, currently NSF’s deputy assistant director for computer and information science and engineering, will serve as the inaugural assistant director for technology innovation and partnerships.

TIP is the first directorate that NSF has established in three decades. The foundation said it will release more information on TIP as it forms more partnerships, grows existing programs and creates new ones.