The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced Sept. 6 plans to realign four program offices in the Office of the Director to maximize research and education outcomes for science and engineering, while enhancing NSF's operational agility. The proposed organizational changes include:

• The Office of Cyberinfrastructure would become a division within the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering.
 
• The Office of Polar Programs would become a division within the Directorate for Geosciences.
 
• The Office of International Science and Engineering would be merged with the Office of Integrative Activities, and the combined unit would become the Office of International and Integrative Activities.

Pending fulfillment of any statutory or other obligations, the transition to the realigned organization would begin October 1, 2012.