2012 NSF Portfolio Review

2012 NSF Porfolio Review

Recent News:

The state of West Virginia has passed two resolutions supporting the GBT and the work done at NRAO's Green Bank facility and laying a path forward for us to work with a number of state agencies and institutions to resolve the funding issues raised by the divestiture.  Copies if the state resolutions can be found below:

West Virginia University has signed an agreement with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory pledging to support its facility at Green Bank in Pocahontas County, to the tune of $1 million during the next two years to pay a portion of personnel and operations costs.  This agreement is the beginning of a longer term deal with NRAO to aid the the support of the GBT and Green Bank facility.

 

 

Background:

In 2012 The Portfolio Review Committee Report (PDF) recommends NSF divest from the NRAO Green Bank Telescope and Very Long Baseline Array by 2017.

You can join the community discussion at the online AUI forum.

If implemented by NSF, these recommendations will have major impacts on the astronomy community, as described in the following responses to the Report:

Connect with NRAO

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."

AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.