NSF Codes for Classifications for Research

 Source: National Science Foundation

 SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FIELDSLine
A. COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SERVICES1442
B. ENGINEERING  
 (1) Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical1411
 (2) Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering1418
 (3) Chemical Engineering1412
 (4) Civil Engineering1413
 (5) Electrical, Electronic, and Communications1414
 (6) Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering1419
 (7) Mechanical Engineering1415
 (8) Metallurgical & Materials Engineering1417
 (9) Other Engineering1416
C. GEOSCIENCES, ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES & OCEAN SCIENCES 
 (1) Atmospheric Science & Meteorology1431
 (2) Geological and Earth Sciences1432
 (3) Ocean Sciences and Marine Sciences1433
 (4) Other1434
D. LIFE SCIENCES
 (1) Agricultural Sciences1451
 (2) Biological and Biomedical Sciences1452
 (3) Health Sciences1453
 (4) Natural Resources and Conservation1455
 (5) Other Life Sciences1454
E. MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS1441
F. PHYSICAL SCIENCES
 (1) Astronomy and Astrophysics1421
 (2) Chemistry1422
 (3) Materials Science1425
 (4) Physics1423
 (4) Other Physical Sciences1424
G. PSYCHOLOGY1460

H. SOCIAL SCIENCES
 (1) Anthropology1475
 (2) Economics1471
 (3) Political Science and Government1472
 (4) Sociology, Demography, and Population Studies1473
 (5) Other Social Sciences1474
F. OTHER SCIENCES, not elsewhere classified 1480

 

NON-SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FIELDSLine
A. EDUCATION1510
B. LAW1520
C. HUMANITIES1530
D. VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS1540
E. BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION1550
F. COMMUNICATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES, JOURNALISM [NOTE LIBRARY SCIENCE IS CONSIDERED "OTHER NON-S&E FIELDS"]1560
G. SOCIAL WORK1570
F. OTHER NON-S&E FIELDS (please specify)1580

 

R&D is creative and systematic work undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge – including knowledge of humankind, culture, and society – and to devise new applications of available knowledge.  R&D covers three activities defined below – basic research, applied research, and experimental development.

Basic research is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view.

Applied research is original investigation undertaken in order to acquire new knowledge. It is directed primarily towards a specific, practical aim or objective.

Experimental development is systematic work, drawing on knowledge gained from research and practical experience and producing additional knowledge, which is directed to producing new products or processes or to improving existing products or processes.

 

 

SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FIELDS (from FY16 NSF R&D Survey)                                                 * denotes new field for FY16
Field of ScienceLineExamples of Disciplines
A. Computer and Information Sciences1442Artificial intelligence, Computer and information technology administration and management, Computer science, Computer software and media applications, Computer systems analysis, Computer systems networking and telecommunications, Data processing, Information sciences studies, and Information technology
B. Engineering1410 
1. Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering1411Aerodynamics, Aerospace Engineering, and Space technology
2. Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering1418Biological and Biosystems Engineering, Biomaterials Engineering, Biomedical Technology, and Medical Engineering
3. Chemical Engineering1412Biochemical Engineering, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Engineering Chemistry, Paper Science, Petroleum Refining Process, Polymer/Plastics Engineering
4. Civil1413Architectural Engineering, Construction Engineering, Engineering Management/Administration, Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering, Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Structural Engineering, Surveying Engineering, Transportation and Highway Engineering, and Water Resources Engineering
5. Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering1414Communications Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Hardware Engineering, Computer Software Engineering, Electrical and electronics Engineering, Laser and Optical Engineering, Power, and Telecommunications Engineering
6. Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering ** 1419Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Research, and Systems Engineering
7. Mechanical Engineering1415Electromechanical Engineering, and Mechatronics/Robotics/Automation Engineering
8. Metallurgical & Materials Engineering1417Ceramic Sciences and Engineering, Geophysical/Geological Engineering, Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mining and Mineral Engineering, Textile Sciences and Engineering, and Welding
9. Other Engineering1416Agricultural Engineering, Engineering Design, Engineering Mechanics/Physics/Science, Engineering Physics, Engineering Science, Forest Engineering, Nanotechnology, Naval Architecture and  Marine Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Ocean Engineering, and Petroleum Engineering. (Other engineering fields that cannot be classified using the fields listed above)
C. GEOSCIENCES, ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES, AND OCEAN SCIENCES1430 
1. Atmospheric Science and Meteorology1431Aeronomy, Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology, Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics, Extraterrestrial Atmospheres, Meteorology, Solar, and Weather Modification
2. Geological and Earth Sciences1432Earth & Planetary Sciences, Geochemistry, Geodesy and Gravity, Geology, Geomagnetism, Geophysics and Seismology, Hydrology and Water Resources, Minerology and Petrology, Paleomagnetism, Paleontology, Physical Geography, Stratigraphy and Sedimentation, and Surveying
3. Ocean Sciences and Marine Sciences1433Biological Oceanography, Geological Oceanography, Marine Biology, Marine Oceanography, Marine Sciences, and Oceanography (chemical and physical)
4. Other Geosciences, Atmospheric Sciences, and Ocean Sciences1434(Other fields that cannot be classified using the fields listed above)
D. LIFE SCIENCES1450 
1. Agricultural Sciences1451Agricultural Business and Management, Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural Production Operations, Animal Sciences, Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services, Aquaculture, Food Science and Technology, International Agriculture, Plant Sciences, Soil Sciences, Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Wood Science
2. Biological and Biomedical Sciences1452Allergies and Immunology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Biogeography, Biology and Biomedical Sciences (general), Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biotechnology, Botany and Plant Biology, Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Epidemiology, Ecology, Population Biology, Food, nutrition, and wellness studies, Genetics, Microbiological Sciences and Immunology, Molecular Medicine, Neurobiology and Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Physiology, Pathology (and related sciences), Zoology, and Animal Biology
3. Health Sciences1453Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences, Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Bioethics, Medical Ethics, Clinical Medicine Research, Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions, Communication Disorders Sciences and Services, Dentistry, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Health and Medical Administrative Services, Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Gerontology (health sciences), Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Medical Clinical Science, Graduate Medical Studies, Medical Illustration and Informatics, Medicine, Mental Health, Optometry, Osteopathic Medicine, Osteopathy, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration, Podiatric Medicine, Podiatry, Public Health, Radiological Science, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research, Clinical Nursing, Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, and Zoology
4. Natural Resources and Conservation ** 1455Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management, Forestry, Natural Resources Conservation and Research, Natural Resources Management and Policy, Renewable Natural Resources, and Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management.
5. Other Life Sciences1454Other life sciences that cannot be classified using the fields listed above.
E. MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS1441Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, and Statistics
F. PHYSICAL SCIENCES1420 
1. Astronomy and Astrophysics1421Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Planetary Astronomy and Science
2. Chemistry1422Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Physics, Environmental Chemistry, Forensic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Organo-metallic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, and Theoretical Chemistry (except Biochemistry—report in Biological and Biomedical Sciences)
3. Materials Science ** 1425Materials Chemistry and Materials Science
4. Physics1423Acoustics, Atomic/Molecular Physics, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Elementary Particle Physics, Mathematical Physics, Nuclear Physics, Optics, Optical Sciences, Plasma, High-Temperature Physics, and Theoretical Physics
5. Other Physical Sciences1424Other physical sciences that cannot be classified using the fields listed above
G. PSYCHOLOGY1460Clinical Psychology, Counseling and Applied Psychology, Human Development, and Research and Experimental Psychology
H. SOCIAL SCIENCES1470 
1. Anthropology ** 1475Cultural Anthropology, Medical Anthropology, and Physical and Biological Anthropology
2. Economics1471Agricultural Economics, Applied Economics, Business Development, Development Economics and International Development, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Industrial Economics, international Economics, Labor Economics, Managerial Economics, Natural Resources Economics, and Public Finance and Fiscal Policy
3. Political Science and Government1472Comparative Government, Government, Legal Systems, Political Economy, Political Science, and Political Theory
4. Sociology, Demography, and Population Studies1473Comparative and Historical Sociology, Complex Organizations, Cultural and Social Structure, Demography and Population Studies, Group Interactions, Rural Sociology, Social Problems and Welfare Theory, and Sociology
5. Other Social Sciences1474Archaeology, Area/Ethnic/Cultural/Gender/Group Studies, Cartography, Criminal Science and Corrections, Criminology, Geography, Gerontology, Social Sciences, History and philosophy of science and technology, International Relations and National Security Studies, Linguistics, Public Policy Analysis, Regional Studies, and Urban Studies/Affairs
I. OTHER SCIENCES, not elsewhere classified1480Use this category for R&D that involves at least one S&E field (A-H) if it is impossible to report multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary R&D

 

NON-SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FIELDS
Field of ScienceLineIllustrative Programs
Education1510Education Administration and Supervision, Education Research, Teacher Education (specific levels and methods), and Teaching Fields
Law1520Law and Legal Studies
Humanities1530English Language and Literature/Letters, Foreign Languages & Literature, History, Humanities (general), Liberal Arts & Sciences, Philosophy and Religious Studies, and Theology and Religious Vocations
Visual & Performing Arts1540Drama, Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, Film, Video, Photographic Arts, Fine and Studio Arts, and Music
Business Management and Business Administration1550Business Administration, Business Management, Business, Managerial Economics, Management Information Systems and Services, and Marketing Management and Research
Communication and Communications Technologies1560Communication and Media Studies, Communications Technologies, Journalism, Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
Social Work1570Social Work
Other Non-S&E Fields1580Architecture, City/Urban/Community/Regional Planning, Family/Consumer Sciences and Human Sciences, Foods/Nutrition/Wellness Studies, Landscape Architecture, Library Science, Military Technology and Applied Science, Parks/Sports/Recreation/Leisure and Fitness, Public Administration and Public Affairs, Other non-S&E fields that cannot be classified using the fields listed above.
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