According to 2015 Department of Education data, contingent faculty—those employed outside of the tenure track—made up about 70 percent of postsecondary instructional positions nationwide, though this varied by type of institution. In addition, data from three selected states show that contingent faculty teach about 45 to 54 percent of all courses at 4-year public institutions, and higher propo...

In recent years, U.S. employers have complained of shortages of workers with higher-level skills in information technology, the sciences, and other fields. To find workers with these skills, employers often turn to foreign workers who enter the United States with H-1B visas to work in specialty occupations. Despite the recent economic downturn, employers report that they continue to need higher-sk...

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Engineering Research Center (ERC) Program, focusing on: (1) NSF program operation and evaluation; and (2) industry sponsors' reaction to the program.GAO found that: (1) research quality was the most important criterion in awarding center grants, with contribution to industrial competitiveness and education fo...

In response to a congressional request, GAO summarized a briefing which it presented after completing a followup review of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) system for identifying and resolving potential conflicts of interest for short-term employees who fill noncareer positions for 1 to 2 years.GAO found that NSF officials have implemented new conflict-of-interest rules and procedures. In a...

A Congressional Subcommittee asked GAO to obtain information on social science research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to find out whether NSF is awarding "silly grants" and whether the grants are duplicating other research funded by NSF or other agencies. NSF relies heavily on its peer review system as the main procedure which is intended to ensure that quality social science res...

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on government-supported medium energy particle accelerators, focusing on the funding, staffing, and research of four laboratories.GAO noted that: (1) at the request of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), a committee was established in early 1974 to review the U.S. medium energy science program;...

No summary is currently available...