NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 4201 WILSON BOULEVARD ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230 June 23, 2006 Dear Colleague: The National Science Foundation is again asking for your input on our next NSF Strategic Plan. Last December, we asked for your thoughts on the current plan and the changing environment for science and engineering (S&E) research and education. That input together with comments from NSF staff, our Advisory Committees, and the National Science Board (NSB) led to development of the draft plan (see www.nsf.gov/about/performance/nsfplandraft.pdf) now available for review by the public at large and the communities we serve. The draft FY 2006-2011 Strategic Plan communicates NSF's vision, goals, objectives, priorities and strategies over this time period. Your comments are requested by July 17, 2006 through the website at www.nsf.gov/about/performance/input.cfm or by e-mail to strategicplaninput@nsf.gov. In particular, NSF requests comments on the following questions to assist us in finalizing the new plan: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the draft plan? Does NSF's draft Strategic Plan effectively communicate NSF's investments and priorities in supporting the S&E community? If not, what is lacking and specifically how can it be improved? [Please note that the photos and graphics in the current version are primarily place holders. We realize that they are low resolution, not readable, etc. If you are an NSF investigator and would like to volunteer an image from your research that would better illustrate one of the themes, please submit through the above email address. Please limit the size of any image or graphic you send to 1MB or less. If we decide to use your image, we will contact you for the appropriate permissions and for a high resolution version.] After review in August by the NSB and the Office of Management and Budget, the final version of the Strategic Plan will be sent to Congress and posted on our website by September 30, 2006. Your assistance in this very important task is appreciated. Sincerely, Arden L. Bement, Jr. Kathie L. Olsen Director Deputy Director