Skip to main content

National Science Foundation

Jump To:

Recent Reports

View More Reports

Open Recommendations (10 total)

Federal Research: Agencies Should Better Manage Anticipated Publishing Cost Increases Amid Shift to Public Access

GAO-26-107738
Show
2 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
National Science Foundation The Director of NSF should conduct an analysis of how the agency's research efforts and budget may be affected by expected expenditure increases resulting and ensure its forthcoming public access policy reflects the results of the analysis. (Recommendation 7)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Science Foundation The Director of NSF, in finalizing the public access policy, should ensure that the policy addresses: (1) the prerequisites needed to make publications publicly available by default, (2) use or re-use rights, and (3) which restrictions, such as attribution, apply to publicly accessible scholarly publications funded by the agency. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

STEM: Additional Data Needed on Graduate Researcher and Postdoctoral Scholar Compensation

GAO-26-107757
Show
2 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
National Science Foundation The Director of the National Science Foundation should establish a timeline to undertake an evaluation of NSF's role in supporting graduate researcher education and training through fellowships, traineeships, and other funding models, and of the impact of different funding mechanisms on graduate student experiences and outcomes, and publish the results of this evaluation, as required by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. (Recommendation 2)
Open
In commenting on a draft of the report, NSF concurred with the recommendation, stating that it will establish a timeline to undertake an evaluation of its role in supporting graduate researcher education and training through fellowships, traineeships, and other funding models. We will provide an update once NSF provides information on its plans for implementing the recommendation.
National Science Foundation The Director of the National Science Foundation should conduct an analysis to determine the gaps in data needed to fully assess the adequacy of monetary compensation and fringe benefits for graduate researchers and postdoctoral scholars and assess the feasibility of collecting these data. (Recommendation 1)
Open
In commenting on a draft of the report, NSF concurred with the recommendation, stating it will take the necessary steps to identify gaps that can inform an understanding of the adequacy of monetary compensation and fringe benefits for graduate researchers and postdoctoral scholars, and assess whether the gaps can be measured. We will provide an update once NSF provides information on its plans for implementing the recommendation.

Small Business Research Programs: Additional Actions Needed to Incorporate Best Practices for Addressing Foreign Risks

GAO-26-107972
Show
6 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
National Science Foundation The Director of the National Science Foundation should conduct due diligence on applicant cybersecurity practices for all new SBIR and STTR awards and develop a consistent method to track its due diligence activities. (Recommendation 16)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Science Foundation The Director of the National Science Foundation should compile and track metrics on the impact of the SBIR and STTR due diligence requirements on award timeliness. (Recommendation 15)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Science Foundation The Director of the National Science Foundation should ensure the agency consistently communicates that disclosure does not mean denial to all its SBIR and STTR applicants through mechanisms such as the disclosure form itself, the agency solicitation, or on a website as part of the application process. (Recommendation 17)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Science Foundation The Director of the National Science Foundation should update its current SBIR and STTR due diligence plan—NSF Updated Procedures for Risk-Based Due Diligence—to include its risk-based approach and procedures for conducting risk assessment in the four Extension Act areas (patent analysis, foreign ownership, employee affiliations, and cybersecurity. (Recommendation 18)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Science Foundation The Director of the National Science Foundation should ensure the agency clearly outlines its designation of "covered individuals" that is available to SBIR and STTR applicants and program staff to ensure consistent access and understanding. (Recommendation 19)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Science Foundation The Director of the National Science Foundation should ensure the SBIR and STTR program informs awardees in a written statement that updated disclosures must be provided within 30 days of any substantive changes to the project. (Recommendation 20)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
View More Recommendations

Related Pages

Multimedia

Federal IT Acquisitions
Transcript
Use of Social Media by Federal Agencies
Transcript