An important aspect of a successfully written proposal is the description of clearly defined and achievable broader impacts. Granting agencies want to know that the effects of the project they are being asked to fund will be widespread and outlast the period of the grant itself. This emphasis is reflected in the Criterion Two or Broader Impacts statement that is now required for NSF proposals (see the Merit Review Broader Impacts (PDF) at the NSF website), but it is a concern for all of the government granting agencies, and private foundations as well. Researchers should give this subject careful consideration, conferring with colleagues and investigating opportunities for collaboration or outreach. The staff of the Office of the Vice President for Research is also available to assist researchers in developing their broader impacts statements.
Researchers should be realistic in stating the broader impacts for their project. While it is good to be ambitious, the goals should also be achievable. Researchers should consider what types of activities are best suited to their own interests and abilities, while enhancing the broader interests of the proposed project. Should you be considering an outreach program for public school students don’t suggest one for K-6 grades if you have little interest or experience working with elementary-age students, but rather tailor your training to a level at which you are comfortable. If your project is not suited to educational outreach, there are many other ways by which broader impacts can be achieved (see below).
Examples of broader impacts include the following:
- Education and training opportunities. These can span anything from outreach at the elementary school level to advanced training of graduate students and post-docs.
- Increasing participation of underrepresented groups (women, African-Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, American Indians). Mentoring and research collaborations, as well as outreach to underrepresented groups are all effective methods. See the Leadership Alliance and WiSE sites (listed below) for further ideas, as well as the “Statement on diversity at Brown” on this website.
- Enhancement of infrastructure for research and education. Would this grant be used to purchase instrumentation or supplies that would continue to benefit the research community? Would it establish collaboration between various disciplines and institutions that would be maintained after the grant expires?
- Dissemination to enhance scientific and technological understanding. This could include everything from community outreach on the local level to international collaborations.
- Benefits to society
If the researcher decides to plan a collaborative effort to achieve the broader impact goals, it is imperative that this should be discussed and coordinated with the involved parties well in advance of the proposal’s submission. For example, a researcher who wishes to develop a course with the Summer Studies program that is related to the proposal should plan on meeting with staff from the Summer Studies office in the early stages of planning. They should work together to develop a program that is targeted to a specific audience, and they should consider how the impact of the program on the audience can be evaluated. The participating department should also submit a letter of support with the proposal to confirm its involvement. It is important that such collaborative efforts be integrated into the full plan of the grant proposal, and not be “tacked on” to satisfy the funding agency’s criteria.
At Brown, researchers have a number of sources to which they can turn for help with broader impacts, some of which are listed below. Anne Windham, the Proposal Coordinator in the Office of the VP for Research, is always available to discuss these issues with researchers.
Lamont Gordon, Director of Education Outreach
e-mail: Lamont_Gordon@brown.edu
tel: (401) 863-3074
Lamont Gordon’s role is to facilitate partnerships between Brown and local urban school districts, primarily grades K -12 in Providence.
David Targan, Associate Dean for Science Programs
e-mail: David_Targan@Brown.edu
tel: (401) 863-2314
David Targan directs the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) and the New Scientist Programs (see below), which have goals to recruit and retain women in the physical sciences, and women and men of color in all sciences.
Swearer Center for Public Service
tel: (401) 863-2338
The Swearer Center works to connect the capacities of the university and community to address inequalities in our society and communities; create, share, and apply knowledge for the public good; and educate and prepare students for lives of effective action. Staff have assisted numerous faculty, staff, and departments with the development of programs, courses, and research that engage faculty and students in community work. The Center is developing focused community and education strategies and welcomes additional faculty and resources to increase the impact of those strategies. The Center can provide assistance in the form of small grants for course development or initial research, and community relationships and expertise.
Office of Summer and Continuing Studies
tel: (401) 863-7900
The Office of Summer and Continuing Studies offers programs for pre-college, undergraduate, adult and professional learners.
The Education Alliance
tel: (401) 274-9548
The Education Alliance works with schools to promote educational change and provide opportunities for all students to succeed. The staff at the Ed Alliance applies research findings and develops solutions to problems in such areas as school change, secondary school restructuring, professional development, first and second language acquisition, educational leadership, and cultural and linguistic diversity. They would be an appropriate source with whom to discuss broader impacts relating to elementary and secondary education.
The Harriet W. Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning
tel: (401) 863-1219
The Center staff is available to review sections of grant proposals pertaining to teaching innovations and instructional technology.
The Leadership Alliance
tel: (401) 863-2843
The Leadership Alliance is an academic consortium of 31 institutions of higher learning, including leading research and teaching college and universities, historically black colleges and universities, and several institutions that primarily serve Hispanic and Native American students. The mission of the Leadership Alliance is to address the shortage of underrepresented minorities in graduate programs in the sciences at competitive universities by increasing their representation through a variety of initiatives.
New Scientist Program
The New Scientist Program strives to help increase academic excellence among underrepresented minority undergraduates at Brown University concentrating in engineering, math, or science.
Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE)
tel.: (401) 863-2285
The WiSE Program works toward creating a sense of community of and for women in the sciences at Brown University through mentoring, outreach, and conferences.
Resources for Writing Proposals
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