The National Science Foundation began its networking program in the early 1980s in response to the research community’s demand for greater access to advanced computational resources, specialized equipment and databases, as well as better communication among researchers. While access to supercomputers dominated the early discussions and planning, by 1987 the NSFNET Program was clearly charged with serving the entire U.S. academic research community. How has the network impacted research today, including changes in how research is done in different disciplines, areas where expected changes have not happened and future developments that are needed to further improve research in the U.S.? From the Series:NSFNET: The Partnership That Changed the World