Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences Advisory Committee Charter

  1. Committee’s Official Designation: Advisory Committee for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (the Committee), #66
  2. Authority: This Committee is being renewed in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C., § 1001 et seq. and the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §1861 et. seq.
  3. Objective and Scope of Activities: To provide advice and recommendations to the National Science Foundation’s programs within the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS); advise on policies and directions MPS programs in science and education should follow; provide advice on effective and efficient strategies for achieving overall program excellence, the appropriateness of current disciplinary boundaries; help to define the most effective investment strategies; and judge the success of the program and other appropriate aspects of program performance.
  4. Description of Duties: Advise NSF on the impact of its research support programs and other policies on the science community. Advise on overall program management and performance. Advise as to the impact of overall NSF-wide policies on the physical and mathematical science community. Advise on issues pertaining to individual programs as well as multi-disciplinary activities and topics of interest across all programs.
  5. Official to Whom the Committee Reports: The Committee reports to the Assistant Director for the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
  6. Agency Responsible for Providing the Necessary Support: The National Science Foundation will be responsible for financial and administrative support.
  7. Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Staff Years: The estimated annual operating cost of the Committee is about $193,371.32 that includes about $137,874.00 in staff support costs. Staff support is approximately 0.8 person-years.
  8. Designated Federal Officer: A full-time or permanent part-time NSF employee will serve as the Designated Federal Officer (DFO). The DFO will approve or call the Committee and subcommittee meetings, prepare and approve meeting agendas, attend Committee and subcommittee meetings, and adjourn any meeting when the DFO determines adjournment to be in the public interest. The Assistant Director of MPS will serve as DFO. Alternate DFOs may be appointed.
  9. Estimate Number and Frequency of Meetings: The committee will meet approximately two times a year.
  10. Duration: It is expected that the Committee will continue indefinitely with renewals of the charter every two years as required under FACA.
  11. Termination: The committee is subject to biennial review and will terminate 2 years from the date the charter is filed, unless the charter is renewed in accordance with Section 14 of FACA.
  12. Memberships and Designation: The standing membership of the full committee consists of about 16 persons. In addition, ad hoc members are selected to convene as Committees of Visitors for oversight reviews of MPS programs in accord with NSF policy. Members are selected to achieve a balance of viewpoints and expertise in scientific areas and types of institutions encompassed by MPS activities. Every effort is made to achieve a balanced membership that includes individuals from underrepresented groups and different geographic regions U.S. It is anticipated that members will be comprised of Special Government Employees (SGEs) and Regular Government Employees (RGEs).
  13. Subcommittees: NSF may form subcommittees for any purpose consistent with this charter. Such subcommittees may not work independently and must report their recommendation and advice to the full committee for full deliberation and discussion.
  14. Recordkeeping: The records of the Committee and any subcommittee(s) shall be handled in accordance with General Records Schedule 6.2 or other approved agency records disposition schedule. These records shall be available for public inspection and copying, subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, and 5 U.S.C., § 1001 et seq., as appropriate.
  15. Certification: This Committee is determined to be necessary and in the public interest.
  16. Date Filed with Congress: June 28, 2024

Electronically signed by C. Denise Caldwell, Acting Assistant Director, Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences

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