MU Broader Impact Info for NSF Grant Proposals

Internal Funding 205 Jesse Hall University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211 573 882-9500 phone 573 884-8371 fax

Since 1997, NSF proposals have been evaluated by two criteria: intellectual merit and broader impact. After October 1, 2002 all proposals had to address each criteria in separate statements in the one-page Project Summary.

• Background Information and examples from NSF

The Chemistry Division at NSF sponsored a “Broader Impacts Showcase” at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (August 2005).  A PDF brochure of the showcase can be found here:

• Broader Impact Showcase (NSF)

The posters for the showcase will also be on-line at: http://chemistry.clemson.edu/NSF-broaderimpactsposters/

• MU Activities and Contacts

Background Information and examples from NSF

Below are subject areas and examples of broader impact activities from the National Science Foundation (NSF publication 022).

Advance Discovery and Understanding While Promoting Teaching, Training and Learning

• Integrate research activities into the teaching of science, math and engineering at all educational levels (e.g., K-12, undergraduate science majors, non-science majors, and graduate students).
• Include students (e.g., K-12, undergraduate science majors, non-science majors, and /or graduate students) as participants in the proposed activities as appropriate.
• Participate in the recruitment, training, and/or professional development of K-12 science and math teachers.
• Develop research-based educational materials or contribute to databases useful in teaching (e.g., K-16 digital library).
• Partner with researchers and educators to develop effective means of incorporating research into learning and education.
• Encourage student participation at meetings and activities of professional societies.
• Establish special mentoring programs for high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, and technicians conducting research.
• Involve graduate and post-doctoral researchers in undergraduate teaching activities.
• Develop, adopt, adapt or disseminate effective models and pedagogic approaches to science, mathematics and engineering teaching.

Broaden Participation of Underrepresented Groups

• Establish research and education collaborations with students and/or faculty who are members of underrepresented groups.
• Include students from underrepresented groups as participants in the proposed research and education activities.
• Establish research and education collaborations with students and faculty from non-Ph.D.-granting institutions and those serving underrepresented groups.
• Make campus visits and presentations at institutions that serve underrepresented groups.
• Establish research and education collaborations with faculty and students at community colleges, colleges for women, undergraduate institutions, and EPSCoR institutions.
• Mentor early-career scientists and engineers from underrepresented groups who are submitting NSF proposals.
• Participate in developing new approaches (e.g., use of information technology and connectivity) to engage underserved individuals, groups, and communities in science and engineering.
• Participate in conferences, workshops and field activities where diversity is a priority.

Enhance Infrastructure for Research and Education

• Identify and establish collaborations between disciplines and institutions, among the U.S. academic institutions, industry and government and with international partners.
• Stimulate and support the development and dissemination of next-generation instrumentation, multi-user facilities, and other shared research and education platforms.
• Maintain, operate and modernize shared research and education infrastructure, including facilities and science and technology centers and engineering research centers.
• Upgrade the computation and computing infrastructure, including advanced computing resources and new types of information tools (e.g., large databases, networks and associated systems, and digital libraries).
• Develop activities that ensure that multi-user facilities are sites of research and mentoring for large numbers of science and engineering students.

Broad Dissemination to Enhance Scientific and Technological Understanding

• Partner with museums, nature centers, science centers, and similar institutions to develop exhibits in science, math, and engineering.
• Involve the public or industry, where possible, in research and education activities.
• Give science and engineering presentations to the broader community (e.g., at museums and libraries, on radio shows, and in other such venues.)
• Make data available in a timely manner by means of databases, digital libraries, or other venues such as CD-ROMs.
• Publish in diverse media (e.g., non-technical literature, and websites, CD-ROMs, press kits) to reach broad audiences.
• Present research and education results in formats useful to policy-makers, members of Congress, industry, and broad audiences.
• Participate in multi- and interdisciplinary conferences, workshops, and research activities.
• Integrate research with education activities in order to communicate in a broader context.

Benefits to Society

• Demonstrate the linkage between discovery and societal benefit by providing specific examples and explanations regarding the potential application of research and education results.
• Partner with academic scientists, staff at federal agencies and with the private sector on both technological and scientific projects to integrate research into broader programs and activities of national interest.
• Analyze, interpret, and synthesize research and education results in formats understandable and useful for non-scientists.
• Provide information for policy formulation by Federal, State or local agencies.