The National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) today released a report, as mandated by Congress, that offers recommendations to ensure the long-term success of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) new Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP).
The CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 authorized establishment of the TIP, which aims to advance U.S. competitiveness through investments and critical research that accelerate the development of key technologies. TIP also oversees NSF’s Engines program.
“Our expert Panel of Academy Fellows has provided the NSF’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships with valuable organizational insights that, if followed, can advance their vital mission and ensure their operations create a promising future,” Terry Gerton, president and CEO of NAPA, said in a press release.
“We’re grateful for the cooperation of NSF employees and key stakeholders, whose participation helped us build a strong set of actionable recommendations for the leaders of NSF and TIP,” Gerton added.
The report’s five-person panel found that a diverse staff, expanded collaboration across NSF directorates, and substantive changes to NSF processes and procedures will be crucial to the TIP’s sustained success.
Specifically, the report recommends five key strategies to ensure both early and long-term success for the new directorate:
- TIP should establish a formal, integrated strategic management process;
- TIP leaders should develop a strategic workforce planning process to regularly determine if staff headcount and skillsets are meeting the larger needs of the directorate;
- Senior leaders of NSF and TIP should jointly develop an implementation plan for the Strategic Partnerships Hub (SPH) that prioritizes the Hub’s responsibilities and resource needs;
- TIP leaders should work collaboratively with NSF and mission support leaders to develop a plan that identifies and prioritizes resource opportunities and upcoming challenges; and
- TIP leaders should work with the leaders of other NSF directorates to ensure cross-collaboration, including on joint funding opportunities.
According to the report, implementing these changes will require top NSF leaders’ sustained support, a clear vision and implementation plan, effective communication, and the development of policies and procedures for accountability.
Therefore, the report also features a section on best practices for change management to help NSF succeed.
“We are delighted to see the findings of the Academy report, which acknowledge the tremendous efforts of the TIP and NSF team in launching and firmly establishing the agency’s first new directorate in more than three decades with initiatives and programs that are advancing American competitiveness,” said Erwin Gianchandani, assistant director for TIP.
“At the same time, we welcome the Academy’s recommendations to further refine and strengthen our approach to sustain TIP, and we have already initiated steps to implement this expert guidance,” Gianchandani concluded.
