The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an international research funding institution with significant influence. As one of the main bodies of marine science research grant, NSF plays nonsubstitutable role in the development of marine science, the establishment of international research programs and projects, and the construction of infrastructures in the marine field. By mainly analyzing the area focus of NSF support, grant distribution and change trend, project application and acceptance rate in recent years, we summarized its funding characteristics and trends in marine science, and finally put forward four suggestions for reference to the efficient management of China's funding institutions.