Alexandria Retains National Science Foundation Headquarters

Alexandria Retains National Science Foundation Headquarters

The Foundation and as many as 1,600 jobs will relocate to new office space in Carlyle

On Friday, November 14, 2025, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) will remain in Alexandria, moving to 401 Dulany Street in the Carlyle neighborhood, onto the same campus as the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

In June 2025, GSA announcedthat the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would move into the existing NSF headquarters building at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, bringing 2,700 jobs and the first cabinet-level federal agency to Alexandria.

While the City was excited to welcome HUD, the Mayor and City Council, and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) were clear that HUD's relocation should not come at the expense of the NSF. This new announcement and move provide a clear path forward for both agencies by securing a new home for the dedicated NSF workforce. Their vital mission to further science will continue, alongside like-minded federal and private-sector employees in the Carlyle district in Alexandria.

"We are thrilled to say that NSF will stay in the City of Alexandria and that it will continue its role growing the innovation hub in Carlyle, collaborating directly with USPTO," said Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins.

In 2017, the City celebrated the relocation of NSF and its workforce to Alexandria. Similarly, the City welcomes the latest announcement, as it will keep approximately 1,600 NSF headquarters jobs, made up of a mix of federal employees as well as scientists from research institutions working at NSF on a temporary basis.

"Alexandria's economy is supported by a number of anchors we have recruited to the City - employers who themselves contribute to our economy, but importantly also catalyze spin-off activity like hotel stays, restaurant visits, and contractor businesses who locate nearby," said AEDP President and CEO Stephanie Landrum. "For that reason, the City aggressively pursued the NSF headquarters in 2017 and was vigilant in efforts to retain them in 2025."

The City will work with GSA and the property owner over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition for the NSF workforce into their new headquarters.