The National Science Foundation invests approximately $400 million annually in areas of materials research and education by supporting people, ideas and tools primarily through awards to the nation's colleges and universities. Although a major focus for this activity is the Division of Materials Research, there is also substantial support for materials and materials-related research and education from other areas of NSF. The aim of this presentation is to provide an NSF perspective on needs and opportunities in materials research and education. Specific new opportunities and directions, including a new program in biomaterials to focus DMR support for the study of biologically related materials and phenomena, will be described.