Broadening Participation in STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Robb Winter, Ph.D. Chemical and Biological Engineering Interim – Director, Composites and Polymer Engineering Laboratory (CAPE) Co-Site Director, I/UCRC for Bioenergy Research and Development (CBERD) formerly, Program Manager, Broadening Participation and East Asia and Pacific Program and Member of the NSF-wide Working Group on Broadening Participation Office of International Science and Engineering, NSF Understanding NSF Broader Impacts Workshop, April 14, 2009

2 NSF 09-29, April 2009, Grant Proposal Guide, Chapter III, A III-1 - NSF Proposal Processing and ReviewGrant Proposal Guide What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity? How well does the activity advance discovery and understanding while promoting teaching, training, and learning? How well does the proposed activity broaden the participation of underrepresented groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic, etc.)? To what extent will it enhance the infrastructure for research and education, such as facilities, instrumentation, networks, and partnerships? Will the results be disseminated broadly to enhance scientific and technological understanding? What may be the benefits of the proposed activity to society? Merit Review Criteria Broader Impacts - Broadening Participation Understanding NSF Broader Impacts Workshop, April 14, 2009 Examples of Broader Impacts - Broadening Participation

3 NSF staff will give careful consideration to the following in making funding decisions: Integration of Research and Education One of the principal strategies in support of NSF's goals is to foster integration of research and education through the programs, projects and activities it supports at academic and research institutions. These institutions provide abundant opportunities where individuals may concurrently assume responsibilities as researchers, educators, and students, and where all can engage in joint efforts that infuse education with the excitement of discovery and enrich research through the diversity of learning perspectives. Integrating Diversity into NSF Programs, Projects, and Activities Broadening opportunities and enabling the participation of all citizens, women and men, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities, are essential to the health and vitality of science and engineering. NSF is committed to this principle of diversity and deems it central to the programs, projects, and activities it considers and supports. Merit Review Criteria Broader Impacts - Broadening Participation Understanding NSF Broader Impacts Workshop, April 14, 2009

4 Broadening Participation – Drivers within NSF Understanding NSF Broader Impacts Workshop, April 14, 2009 Directorate/Office – Division – Program (advise and assessment) Advisory Committee (OISE)OISE Comm. on Equal Opportunity in Eng. and Science, CEOSE (OD/OIA/activities/CEOSE)OD/OIA/activities/CEOSE Committee of Visitors, COV, (OD/Office of Integrated Activities /COV); OISE Rec 8, 9, 11OD/Office of Integrated Activities /COV NSF-wide Broadening Participation Working Group (BPWG)BPWG A priority at NSF, referenced in major policy documents: Grant Proposal Guide, Strategic Plan, and Strategic Plan NSF Budget Request “Framework for Action”Framework for Action

5 NSF-wide BPWG – Framework for Action Understanding NSF Broader Impacts Workshop, April 14, 2009 WG - Composition Representatives from all Directorates and Offices Experts from EHR, SBS, Legal, others Broadening Participation Provides for the creative engagement of diverse ideas and perspectives to enable transformative research Infuses science and engineering excellence into varied individual, institutional, and geographic networks Provides for the discovery and nurturing of talent wherever it may be found

6 NSF-wide BPWG – Framework for Action Understanding NSF Broader Impacts Workshop, April 14, 2009 NSF defines BP in terms of: Individuals underrepresented in STEM (discipline specific) Gender Race/Ethnicity (Alaska Natives, Native Americans, Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders) Persons with Disabilities Institutions that do not participate in NSF activities at the same rate comparable to others (e.g PUI’s, MSI’s, K-12 systems, non profits engaged in STEM activities) Geographical Areas that do not participate in NSF activities at the same rate comparable to others (e.g. EPSCoR jurisdictions and low socio-economic zones)

7 NSF-wide BPWG – Framework for Action Understanding NSF Broader Impacts Workshop, April 14, Maintain and update the NSF portfolio of broadening participation programs (BP Portfolio)BP Portfolio 2.Increase the diversity of scientists and other STEM experts who review NSF proposals 3.Provide training for staff on NSF priorities and mechanisms for broadening participation and workforce development 4.Communicate broadening participation and workforce development guidance and promising practices within NSF and throughout the STEM community (OD/BP)OD/BP

8 NSF-wide BPWG – Framework for Action 5.Enhance the accountability and tracking of NSF-supported broadening participation efforts; through reporting 6.Promote effectiveness and relevance of the NSF broadening participation portfolio via periodic evaluations 7.Develop an implementation schedule based on the above recommended action items Understanding NSF Broader Impacts Workshop, April 14, 2009

9 Merit Review Administrative Review Research & Education Communities Proposal Preparation and Submission Organization submits via FastLane NSF Program Director Program Director Analysis &. Rec. Division Director Concur Via DGA Organization Minimum of 3 Reviews Required DGA Review & Processing of Award Proposal Review and Decisions NSF Proposal Generating Document Returned As Inappropriate/Withdrawn Mail Panel Both Award NSF Proposal & Award Process & Timeline 90 Days6 Months 30Days Proposal Receipt at NSF DD ConcurAward Proposal Processing Unit NSF

10 Merit Review – Basis of Decisions - Review NSF Day – E. Teles and R. Winter Understanding NSF Broader Impacts Workshop, April 14, 2009 Merit Review Content of the review may be more important than the rating particularly in large panels. Program Director analyzes reviews: Fairness Substance in the reviews Technical problems raised in the reviews; major vs. minor Reasons for the reviewer concerns or enthusiasm Impact of information not available to the reviewer (e.g. updates) Program Director sometimes obtains additional reviews or comments from the PI Panel Recommendations

11 Merit Review – Basis of Decisions – Portfolio Balancing NSF Day – E. Teles and R. Winter Understanding NSF Broader Impacts Workshop, April 14, 2009 Innovation and creativity High risk- high reward projects Breadth of research areas Priority areas and systems Demographics and Diversity Broadening participation Institutional impact- PUI, EPSCOR, etc. Integration of research and education International collaborations

12 Thoughts to Consider in Proposal Preparation - Broadening Participation Understanding NSF Broader Impacts Workshop, April 14, 2009 Avoid trite, generic, or non-specific language Carefully read the solicitation for broadening participation specific instructions Provide history of past broadening participation efforts Clearly articulate a nondiscriminatory, nonexclusive strategy for broadening participation Consider sustainability Cite relevant broadening participation literature to support your planned broadening participation strategy (Dir. for SBE Sci.)literature Keep in mind Reviewers and the Program Officer; make it easy for them to identify your broadening participation efforts

13 Thoughts to Consider in Proposal Preparation - Broadening Participation Understanding NSF Broader Impacts Workshop, April 14, 2009 Consider partnering with institutions with underrepresented groups in your field (e.g. HSI, HBCU, TCU, PUI, Comm. College) Develop meaningful long-term relationships Avoid superficial partnerships Leverage on campus resources; these might provide evidence toward sustainability Department vision and strategy On going REU’s (NSF EHR HRD programs) Multicultural Center Honors College Research Office NSF is always interested in new creative approaches!!!

14 Grant Proposal Guide Examples of Broader Impacts OISE AC OD/OIA/CEOSE OD/OIA/COV OD/BP NSF Strategic Plan BP - Framework for Action BP Portfolio Understanding NSF Broader Impacts Workshop, April 14, 2009 NSF-Broadening Participations Resources