Congress created the NSF in 1950 as an independent federal agency. Budget ~$7.0 billion (2012) Funding for basic research.

Subra Suresh (MIT) Directorate for Biological Sciences Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering Directorate for Education & Human Resources Directorate for Engineering Directorate for Geosciences Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences Directorate for Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences Office of Cyberinfrastructure Office of International Science & Engineering Office of Polar Programs Office of Budget, Finance & Award Management Office of Information & Resource Management National Science Foundation Organization NSF Director National Science Board Office of the Inspector General OBAMA

NSF's Mission - Discovery, learning, research infrastructure and stewardship Provide an integrated strategy to advance the frontiers of knowledge Cultivate a world-class, broadly inclusive science and engineering workforce Expand the scientific literacy of all citizens Build the nation's research capability- advance instrumentation and facilities Support excellence in science and engineering research and education

America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 Broader Impacts are the LAW!

 Increase US economic competitiveness  Develop a globally competitive STEM workforce.  Increase participation of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM.  Increase partnerships of academia and industry.  Improve pre-K–12 STEM education and teacher development.  Improve undergraduate STEM education.  Increase public scientific literacy.  Increase national security. Goals for Broader Impacts

Designing Broader Impacts Don’t try to fulfill every BI goal – better to do a good job in one area. Don’t reinvent the wheel – show knowledge of and incorporate institutional or other existing programs – but add your “signature” Integrate with your research – hands on or, conceptually; consider societal relevance Potential for sustainability or dissemination – how any people will be impacted? Consider evaluation/assessment – measures of impact or learning outcomes.

Educational component is limited to “routine” course development. Project is unrealistically over-ambitious. Integration of education with research is weak or uninspired. Evaluation of educational outcomes not included. No supporting documentation from cooperators (eg. K-12 teachers). No budget requested to support activities. Mechanism to include underrepresented groups is not included. Some Common Reasons BIs are “Dinged”:

Be sincere. Do not propose what you really don’t want to do. You will need to put your accomplishments in your progress report. Be specific. - Mention students to be involved by name or how you will recruit them (always mention former students by name and outcome). -If students are to be involved in research, state their specific role – what data will they actually collect. Treat BI like the rest of your proposal. -Start thinking well before the deadline. -Talk to your Program Officer. Some simple, but important things

/broaderimpacts.pdf Examples of Broader Impacts (in brief) published in 2007 are given at:

an/nsfstrategicplan_2011_2016.pdf