3-017 - Developing impactful NSF Broader Impacts: Ideas to take your proposal to the next level

Session Type: Conversation Roundtable

Integrative Statement

The National Science Foundation (NSF) uses two merit review criterion when evaluating research proposals for funding: Intellectual Merit (IM) and Broader Impacts (BI). While most developmental scientists have been trained for years to develop studies which encompass compelling IM, or the potential to advance knowledge in a particular field, many scholars feel unprepared to develop meaningful BI, or aspects of the broader study which benefit society beyond the intellectual knowledge gained by the potential findings. The moderator, Nicole Campione-Barr, and panel members of this conversation roundtable include 4 current and/or recently NSF-funded developmental scholars with a wide-range of BI experiences to share, as well as the current Director for NSF’s Developmental and Learning Sciences program. The conversation roundtable will begin with a discussion of the types of project activities that meet BI criteria (including full participation of women, persons with disabilities and underrepresented minorities in STEM fields, improving STEM education or educator training, partnerships between academia and industry, etc.) and the ways in which BI are scored within the broader proposal process. Then, panel members will discuss their experiences with NSF proposals (both successes and failed attempts), as well as their own BI activities. Examples of these activities include a neuroscience summer camp from minority, low-SES high school students, internships for first-generation and underrepresented minority college students, and popular media outreach regarding transgender and gender nonconforming youth. Audience members will be given the opportunity to ask questions regarding the proposal and implementation of BIs in their own work.

Sub Unit

• Social Policy

Moderator

• Nicole Campione-Barr, University of Missouri

Panelists

• David S Moore, Pitzer College, Claremont Graduate University

• Kristina Olson, University of Washington

• Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, University of Southern California

• Makeba Parramore Wilbourn, Duke University