What is the purpose of NSF's International Science and Engineering (ISE) program?

The purpose of NSF's International Science and Engineering (ISE) program is to facilitate collaborative research and enhance global partnerships. This program is designed to strengthen the United States' international collaborative efforts in science and engineering by promoting partnerships between U.S. researchers and their counterparts abroad. Such collaborations can lead to sharing of resources, knowledge, and expertise that can address global challenges and enhance the scientific community's capacity to tackle complex problems that transcend national boundaries.

This focus on collaboration is critical in today's interconnected world, where many scientific and engineering challenges, such as climate change and pandemics, require a global approach and collective expertise. The ISE program encourages teamwork among researchers from different countries, fostering a diverse research environment that can lead to innovative solutions and advancements.

While promoting individual research projects is a vital aspect of many programs, the ISE program specifically emphasizes the importance of working together internationally. Domestic research initiatives and creating funding opportunities for agencies may be relevant in other contexts, but they do not capture the primary goal of the ISE program, which is centered on enhancing global partnerships through collaborative research efforts.