WASHINGTON — The National Science Foundation’s decades of support for engineering research and education have had profound impacts on society, leading to the development of critical new technologies, major economic advances, and a well-educated workforce, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The report will be discussed at a webinar beginning at 3 p.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 16, that will feature National Academy of Engineering President John Anderson and members of the authoring committee.

While the private sector funds and conducts most R&D in the U.S., support from NSF plays a pivotal role, especially in the period between initial development of a technology to when it can become commercially viable, the report says. NSF and other federal agency funding provides researchers with the resources to pursue ambitious projects, investigate fundamental questions, develop groundbreaking technologies and practical applications, and explore opportunities for interdisciplinary research.

“From the internet to clean energy technologies and beyond, engineering innovations have fundamentally changed how we live, work, and connect with one another,” said Dan Arvizu, chair of the committee that wrote the report, a member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, and former chancellor of the New Mexico State University System. “But these achievements did not materialize in a vacuum. They are the fruits of the National Science Foundation’s deeply rooted commitment to research and education.”

Unlike other federal agencies that support R&D, NSF requires the programs and projects it supports to delineate their potential impacts on society. The agency’s criteria for identifying broader impacts address a range of issues — including workforce development, national security and economic competitiveness, STEM education, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM.

“The impact of engineering research and education is often hidden from the public eye,” said National Academy of Engineering President John Anderson. “For people to truly appreciate the immense value of public investment in engineering R&D, it is essential that NSF and the wider engineering community identify and communicate about the critical technologies and advances that shape our daily lives.”

The committee that wrote the report expanded upon NSF’s criteria to identify 10 exemplary engineering impacts on society brought about by NSF investments:  

• Additive manufacturing, notably 3D printing, which has transformed traditional manufacturing with improved material use, design adaptability, and faster production

• Artificial intelligence, which demonstrates an expanded repertoire of technological abilities including self-driving vehicles and text, pattern, image, and speech recognition

• Biomedical engineering that improves health care outcomes and the daily lives of people, particularly those with disabilities

• Cybersecurity technology, tools, and training that protect against online threats to national security and individual privacy

• Engineering education and early career development, particularly in addressing systemic and structural barriers to promote equitable opportunities

• Materials science and engineering, which has led to advances in diverse areas such as construction, drug delivery, computing, telecommunications, and transportation

• NSF’s Engineering Research Center program, which facilitates university, industry, and government partnerships and has promoted new types of engineered systems across multidisciplinary fields and fostered innovation, progress on national challenges, and significant gains for the U.S. economy

• Internet advancements such as Mosaic — the first browser to integrate graphics and text on a web page — as well as support for trailblazing researchers like Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin

• Semiconductors and integrated circuits, which make many common electronic devices possible

• Wind energy technology breakthroughs including the design of a vertical axis wind farm inspired by the formations of schooling fish

The report also identifies messaging to promote understanding of engineering’s place in society and the role of NSF’s contributions, such as highlighting the participation and diversity of organizations and people who have not always been well-represented in the engineering profession, and featuring relatable people and stories that illustrate how engineering makes everyday life better. Examples of specific outreach initiatives designed to reach K-12 students and the general public are included.

Contact:

Office of News and Public Information
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
202-334-2138; news@nas.edu