9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) Program Bert Holmes S-STEM Program Nov. 18, 2009

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education S-STEM Program Overview  Goal – To increase the number and quality of graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)  NSF Scholarships in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics on DUE Homepage.

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education9/7/2015 S-STEM Program Overview Congress created the program, and some aspects are specified in the legislation:  Student citizenship status [Citizen or permanent resident]  Student characteristics [Financial need and Academic ability]  Degree level [Students enrolled in a program leading to an Associate, Baccalaureate, or Graduate Degree in a STEM field.]  Maximum scholarship amount [$10,000]

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education9/7/2015 S-STEM Program Overview  This Scholarship Program is funded from fees that employers pay to the US to obtain a work visa that allows the hiring of a foreign high-tech worker  The intent of the program is to use the money raised from H-1B visa fees to produce more US graduates for the high-tech workforce  Budget: $125,000 per year for up to 5 years = $600,000 maximum award (annual budget limited to $225,000)

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education9/7/2015 S-STEM Program Overview  Institutions award scholarships directly to students  Students may use scholarships to cover tuition and other cost of attendance (transportation, housing, books, etc.)  Program allows 5 percent of scholarship funds to grantee institutions for management/administrative costs; 10 percent for student-support costs $520,000 for scholarships allows 10% ($52,000) for student support and allows 5% ($26,000) for management/administrative costs TOTAL = $598,000 to be requested  Students must demonstrate academic ability (defined by project) and financial need (Federal)

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education S-STEM Program Overview  Colleges and Universities submit proposals to NSF to operate a scholarship project within parameters of the S-STEM Program Solicitation  Institutions may request up to 5 years of scholarship funds.  Institutions propose many of the project’s other parameters and management plans  S-STEM projects emphasize four activities: recruitment, selection, retention, and placement

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education S-STEM Program Overview Program open to students in the following disciplines:  biological sciences (except medicine and other clinical fields);  physical sciences, including physics, chemistry, astronomy, and materials science;  mathematical sciences;  computer and information sciences;  geosciences;  engineering;  technology areas associated with the preceding fields (for example, biotechnology, chemical technology, engineering technology, information technology, etc.)

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education Characteristics of a Strong Project Management  Strong academic programs  Involvement of disciplinary faculty as advisors, mentors and managers of the project  Clear management plan that identifies: roles, responsibilities, & project timeline  Plans for evaluation of the project: how will we know if it works?

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education Characteristics of a Strong Project Students  Clear student selection plan  Enough eligible students  Plans for formation of a student cohort  Good student support structures  Clear plans for student selection  Plan for placement of students: work or further education

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education Student Support Structures  No set list; some examples:  Meetings – formal and informal (pizza party?)  Mentoring – from faculty and more-advanced students  Presentations, conferences – sense of professional identity  Research opportunities (optional for undergrads)  Tutoring – both as student and as tutor  Work, summer internship – to augment scholarship (optional)

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education Measuring Outcomes  Success for student  Grades and recognition  Time to degree  Numbers of students graduated  Infusion into the workforce or further education  Benefits to academic departments  Project does not need a contract evaluator

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education Proposal & Award Statistics Planned Operation  Program has approx. $50 million to award for scholarship projects this year  Program expects to make approx awards for up to 5 years of support

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education 2008 Proposals Institution highest degree Number of Proposals Number of Panels Two-year485 Bachelors787 Masters595 Doctoral928 TOTAL27725

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education 2009 Proposals Institution highest degree Number of Proposals Number of Panels Two-year726 Bachelors11010 Masters767 Doctoral14313 TOTAL40136

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education9/7/2015 Any Questions?

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education NSF Review Criteria  Intellectual Merit  Broader Impacts  Criteria work well for research projects  Criteria need some additional interpretation for S-STEM projects

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education NSF Review Criteria Intellectual Merit of S-STEM Proposals  Strength of the academic program  Record of student success  Quality of student support structures  Significance of need or problem identified  Appropriateness and effectiveness of solution  Quality of the management plan  Likely substantive outcome  Enough students for the number of scholarships proposed

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education NSF Review Criteria Broader Impact Criteria of S-STEM Proposals  Number of students and faculty affected  Likely career paths for students  Possible long-term effect at the institution  Diversity  Dissemination  Evaluation plan to assess outcomes

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education Expertise on Panels  Disciplinary  Student-support  Student financial aid  Scholarship administrators  Good judgment

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education Ratings Excellent - outstanding, highest priority. May have a few flaws that can be improved Very Good - has merit, fund if possible. Flaws can be corrected Good - has some merit, not a high priority but could fund Fair - lacking in several critical aspects; an active recommendation against funding even if money were available Poor – many serious deficiencies; a waste of time for both the proposer and the reviewer

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education9/7/2015 Summary: some suggestions. 1. Become a Reviewer on a S-STEM Panel ( me) 2. Obtain examples of successful proposals. Public record. -Go to NSF homepage (nsf.gov) -Select “Education Directorate” -Select “Division of Undergraduate Education”

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9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education9/7/2015 Any Questions?

9/7/2015Division of Undergraduate Education9/7/2015 Thanks for your attention DUE Information System Phone: DUE Web Site VOLUNTEER TO REVIEW PROPOSALS! CONTACT A PROGRAM OFFICER – SEE DUE WEB SITE!