Air Control Techniques of the National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation or NSF operates as a scientific grant organization of the federal government. It controls the support of various scientific developments through grant fund awards paid for by the federal government. Recipients of awards work on projects approved by the NSF through a competitive grant review process. The agency does not retain any regulatory control per se. However, because of the peer review makeup of its board and scientific staff, support or denial of a particular air control approach can make waves in the academic science fields, influencing whether a new technique gains widespread support.
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Background
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The NSF began operations in 1950 per a congressional act, with a focus on promotion and supporting the progress of science. Such progress focuses on advancing areas of health, economics, social welfare and military defense of the country. Grants awarded by the NSF, including those for air control projects, average almost $7 billion a year, in 2011.
Funding Support Control
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The NSF operates as the dominant financial support in many scientific, engineering and mathematical research projects. Because of this situation, the NSF picks and determines which air control projects move forward for greater development and study by simply funding or not funding them. Being the main financial provider for over one-fourth of all basic scientific projects in academia, this influence holds significant sway.
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Policy by Focused Awards
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The particular branch in charge of proposals working on air control techniques operates as the Environmental Engineering program of the NSF. This branch works to boost and expand research on a number of environmental issues, including gaseous conditions and treatment. Projects seeking funding for pollution control ideas, changing human behavior and interaction with air via development, and chemical reactions with air in general must apply for the Environmental Engineering branch's review and approval. The branch puts emphasis and particular attention on those projects that work to improve sustainability and reduce pollution production.
Limitation by Category
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For those seeking air control technique support, their proposal must fall in one of two review categories. The emerging contaminants category will receive NSF review to support work on new contaminants that can be transported and released to the air if there is an accident. The second area involves air quality. This category focuses on projects that offer promise in reduction or elimination of air contaminants, including both the substance and the producer, via innovative new methods.
Award Size Limited
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Just because a project wins NSF grant approval does not mean it will be funded for as long as necessary. Grant projects for air control and others are capped at an award limit of $110,000 per proposal, as of 2011. This means that recipients must then seek new grants or other forms of support when the initial grant work is finished. This approach ensures that no particular technique monopolizes the NSF's interest and fund awards unfairly. Grants seeking additional funds may obtain higher funding award levels if NSF management allows it. However, this is approved on a one-time basis per NSF management and must have prior approval before submittal. Proposals sent in out of the blue seeking higher funding can be rejected outright.
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References
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