NSF established the Science, Engineering, and Education
for Sustainability (SEES) portfolio in FY 2010 in order to enable
research and education activities that will build the foundation
for decision capabilities and technologies aimed at mitigating and
adapting to environmental change that threatens sustainability.
Initial efforts focused on coordinating a suite
of research and education programs at the intersection of climate
and environment, including specific attention to incorporating human
dimensions. As a result, five new multidisciplinary, cross-directorate
solicitations were issued as part of the Climate Research Investment
in FY 2010 (see SEES FY 2010 Activities).
This was a natural extension of NSF’s involvement in the U.
S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), which foreshadowed the
further development of a broader SEES portfolio in FY 2011 (see
SEES FY 2011 Activities).
Major drivers for establishing and expanding the
NSF SEES portfolio, include the August 2009 National Science Board
Report Building
a Sustainable Energy Future and the IPCC
Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007. NSF is working
across directorates and offices to coordinate and grow its portfolio
of research and education efforts associated with climate, energy,
and sustainability.
In FY 2011, NSF is highlighting the connections
among elements of the SEES portfolio and the development of human
capital for SEES-related research by funding projects on sustainability
themes that integrate the social, natural, and engineering sciences.
As an investment portfolio, SEES supports research and education
that spans ten NSF Directorates and Offices.
