As a public agency, the National Science Foundation builds and sustains trust for our mission through the transparency of our processes and the accountability of our organization. Periodically, as a learning  organization committed to continuous improvement,  we review our processes to ensure that they continue  to engender this trust. A recent review by NSF senior leadership in consultation with the National Science Board affirmed our fundamental principles and identified opportunities for improvements in two areas to enhance our public stewardship. One area is our accountability for ensuring that our investment decisions  support the national interest, defined by NSF’s mission  “to promote the progress of  science; to advance the national health, prosperity and welfare; to secure the national defense...” To strengthen this alignment, our directorates and offices are examining process improvements for defining research priorities and objectives at all levels Bof the  organization and at all stages of merit review. As a result, the community should benefit from greater  understanding and knowledge  of the priorities and objectives of our research programs. We would  certainly  welcome the community’s thoughts and suggestions  in this regard. A second area is communications regarding our investment decisions. To read further, please visit http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=in135.