U.S. National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs Organizational Assessment

NSF, GEO, OPP, NSF OPP

BACKGROUND

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) was established in 1950 by Congress with the mission “to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense; and for other purposes.” As part of that mission, the Office of Polar Programs (OPP), housed in the NSF Directorate for Geosciences (GEO), works with NSF entities, academic institutions, native communities, federal agencies, the military, international partners, and others to advance scientific research, engineering, and education by catalyzing fundamental discovery and understanding of polar systems and their global interactions.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This assessment will review OPP’s organizational and management structure and explore opportunities to improve mission delivery. The Academy will

• Analyze the effectiveness of OPP’s current internal organizational structure and governance model;
• Examine the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for OPP’s senior leadership team to effectively manage the program;
• Evaluate OPP’s existing organizational culture and employee engagement in the organization;
• Examine OPP’s alignment within NSF, GEO, and with externally facing stakeholders; and
• Develop recommendations to optimize OPP’s organizational structure.

Study Fellows