The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is authorized and governed by the "National Science Foundation Act of 1950," as amended, as well as other statutes authorizing NSF activities and making appropriations to the agency.
At any time, several bills affecting NSF may be pending in Congress that would, if enacted, change or add to the agency's statutory authority.
Legal interpretation of the agency's statutes and rules and any pending legislation or legal requirements is the responsibility of the NSF Office of the General Counsel.
"National Science Foundation Act of 1950" ("NSF Act")
NSF's organic statute is codified at 42 U.S.C. 1861, et seq.
NSF regulations
NSF's regulations are located in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 45 C.F.R. Part VI. The CFR codifies the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the federal government.