The National Science Board (NSB) held its quarterly meeting on May 1 and 2.
[See recordings: Day 1, Day 2, and the agenda].
Among the agenda items, NSF leadership announced the Waterman award winners, introduced new NSB leadership, heard an update from the NSB Merit Review Commission, and listened to a panel of experts present about harnessing artificial intelligence’s potential for good.
NSF Awards
Director Sethuraman Panchanathan announced award recipients who showed exemplary success in the following categories:
1). Strengthening Established NSF – expanding the frontiers of scientific knowledge.
2). Inspiring Missing Millions – encouraging people from traditionally underrepresented communities to participate in science and engineering research.
The Alan T. Waterman prize is the highest honor for early-career scientists presented by the NSF. Katrina Claw, PhD, University of Colorado, a geneticist from the Navajo Nation looked at how Indigenous groups respond to medications based on unique genetic factors. Claw took special care to account for the “cultural, ethical, legal and social implications (CELSI) of genomic research with Indigenous peoples,” — a community that has been historically neglected by researchers. Another recipient, Muyinatu Bell, PhD, Johns Hopkins, was recognized for her innovations in ultrasound technology. Bell created a process that reduced acoustic clutter to create clearer ultrasound images. Importantly, this innovation helps overcome skin tone bias, as melanin levels impact how deeply light can “penetrate in photoacoustic imaging.”
Harnessing the Power of AI
A panel of AI experts from academia and the private sector presented on the transformative nature of artificial intelligence (AI) and related policy considerations. Kenneth Forbus, PhD, Northwestern University, identified three areas of AI undergoing revolutionary change: deep learning, knowledge graphs, and reasoning. Forbus spoke about the anticipated fourth revolutionary change in AI research – integrated intelligence, which would allow AI to learn on its own, rather than have scientists program its learning. Lynne Parker, PhD, University of Tennessee, offered some policy considerations including the need to foster more geographical diversity in AI research opportunities, as the majority of them are located in a few large metro areas. Similarly, broad AI education and workforce training is necessary to make workers AI literate.
New and Outgoing NSB Leadership
Daniel Reed, PhD, the outgoing NSB Chair (2018-2024), congratulated Dario Gil, PhD, to the role. Gil is an IBM Senior Vice President and Director of Research. Victor McCrary, PhD, University of the District of Columbia, will serve a third term as Vice-Chair. Reed shared parting thoughts including his optimism for the future of NSF’s research and its ability to solve important societal problems.
Committees Updates including Merit Review Commission
The Committees on External Engagement; National Science and Engineering; Oversight; Strategy; and the Subcommittee on technology, Innovation, and Partnerships all reported on their recent activities. The Board unanimously approved a 2026 plan for “Science and Engineering Indicators” which would include the production of three thematic reports and a data dashboard.
NSF’s merit review process is currently based on two criteria: intellectual merit and broader impact. Stephen Willard, J.D., presented the Board with the NSB-NSF Merit Review Commission’s six preliminary recommendations:
- Reaffirm that NSF’s merit review is the “gold standard” for awarding funding.
- Confirm that the two current criteria for merit review (broader impact and intellectual merit) fully meet NSF’s mission (although the Commission anticipates clarification in other criteria).
- Emphasize NSF’s imperative to deliver societal benefits through research.
- Promote the progress of science.
- Ensure portfolio development.
- Broaden participation in the merit review process.
The Commission will present a final list of policy and implementation suggestions in July and have the Board vote on them in December.
FABBS Comments on the NIH Minority Health and Health Disparities Strategic Plan for 2026-2030