The U.S. National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories. NSF was established in 1950 by Congress to promote the progress of science, advance the national health, prosperity and welfare, and secure the national defense.
The Ideas Lab grant program focuses on fostering innovative, cross-disciplinary solutions to enable real-time and reliable sensing, communications, localization, navigation, and mapping of aquatic environments such as glaciers, rivers, lakes, and oceans. These efforts aim to support scientific research and economic development while ensuring sustainability and environmental responsibility. A unique aspect of this program is its commitment to increasing diversity and participation of underrepresented minorities in STEM fields, reflecting a broader goal of inclusivity alongside scientific innovation.