BREAKING: National Science Foundation to Stay in Alexandria — 1,600 Jobs Secured as Agency Moves to New Carlyle Headquarters
ALEXANDRIA, VA — In a major victory for Alexandria’s economy and innovation corridor, the U.S. General Services Administration announced Friday that the National Science Foundation (NSF) will remain in the city, relocating its headquarters to 401 Dulany Street in Carlyle — steps from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The November 14 decision ends months of uncertainty about the agency’s future in Alexandria and protects as many as 1,600 jobs, including federal employees and visiting researchers from institutions across the country.
“This is tremendous news for Alexandria,” said Mayor Alyia Gaskins. “NSF will stay in the City of Alexandria and will continue its role growing the innovation hub in Carlyle, collaborating directly with USPTO.”
A Pivotal Win After HUD’s Move Triggered Questions
In June, GSA announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would move into NSF’s current home at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, bringing 2,700 jobs and marking the arrival of the first cabinet-level federal agency headquartered in Alexandria.
While city leaders celebrated HUD’s arrival, they remained adamant that it shouldn’t come at the cost of losing NSF, one of Alexandria’s most significant economic anchors.
Today’s announcement resolves the uncertainty by giving both agencies a place to grow.
Keeping a Critical Economic Driver in Alexandria
NSF first moved to Alexandria in 2017, a recruitment success that boosted the city’s science and innovation footprint. Its continued presence ensures ongoing economic benefits — from hotel stays and restaurant activity to the many contractor and research entities that cluster around the agency.
“Alexandria’s economy is supported by a number of anchors we have recruited to the City,” said Stephanie Landrum, President and CEO of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership. “For that reason, the City aggressively pursued the NSF headquarters in 2017 and was vigilant in efforts to retain them in 2025.”
What Happens Next
The City of Alexandria will work closely with GSA and the building’s property owner to coordinate NSF’s transition into its new Carlyle headquarters in the coming months.
For residents, businesses, and the region’s scientific community, today’s announcement ensures that Alexandria will continue to serve as a hub for groundbreaking research and federal innovation for years to come.
