Swearer Center for Public Service

Research & Public Impact

Breadcrumb

Research & Public Impact

The Brown community has a tremendous opportunity to make a transformative impact in the lives of individuals, families and communities locally, nationally and globally. [Growing research will increase that positive impact in part through] engagement between Brown’s subject matter experts and local policymakers and organizations, and expanded pathways for community members historically underrepresented in research to pursue relevant educational and career opportunities.

- Brown’s Operational Plan for Investing in Research

Funder Requirements

Major federal and philanthropic funders expect research activities to demonstrate not only intellectual merit but also significant societal benefit. Different agencies identify this work through different mechanisms. The National Science Foundation (NSF), for example, defines "Broader Impacts" as the potential for research to benefit society and achieve specific, desired societal outcomes. 

For assistance with Broader Impacts plans for NSF or federal agency proposals, contact Research Strategy and Development in the Division of Research. For foundation proposals, contact Corporate and Foundation Relations.

Research Collaboration and Engagement with Community Organizations

Enhancing STEM education and creating more inclusive pathways are common areas of research and public impact activities and major contributions to Brown’s core educational mission, DIAP commitments and local community priorities. Advanced planning with potential collaborators and colleagues at Brown is essential to preparing a strong, successful proposal that builds on existing strengths across campus and beyond. The overviews of local collaborations, guiding principles for community engagement and engaged research offer additional context.

Numerous supportive resources are identified below, addressing three main components of research: finding funding, developing and sustaining partnerships and defining and delivering positive impact. Not sure where to start? Email orsd@brown.edu or julie_plaut@brown.edu.

We also welcome suggestions regarding Brown’s support for research and public impact efforts. Staff from the Annenberg Institute, Brown University Library, Division of Pre-College and Undergraduate Programs, Division of Research, Office of the Dean of the Faculty and Sheridan and Swearer Centers are connected and the university’s Community Engagement Council to support colleagues at Brown with research proposals and other activities that include K-12 or other community engagement.

Priorities and Resources for K-12 Partnerships

Many faculty at Brown have received funding from federal agencies for educational activities with young people in Providence and other nearby cities. These range from special events bringing youth to campus to longer-term classroom or after-school programming, curriculum development, summer research opportunities and more. View more information on education partnerships at Brown.

In order to position yourself most effectively to contribute to local community priorities for education – and to benefit from the university’s efforts to support and coordinate efforts across campus – please email engage@brown.edu, ideally four to six months before your proposal is due. The Providence Public School Department, for instance, expects all proposed events and programs to be submitted to their Office of Strategic Community Partnerships (and to reflect collaborative planning, align with school priorities/outcomes and feasibility); the Office of Community Engagement supports that process for people at Brown.

Members of the Community Engagement Council’s K-12 Education Committee and Research and Public Impact Working Group are working with key campus and community partners to identify priorities to inform faculty proposals. We will also be able to provide the evidence base for recommended activities and to facilitate relationships and suggest resources related to planning, implementation and assessment.

Find Funding

Share Stories of Impact

If your research and public impact work involves partners in and benefits to Providence or Rhode Island, and you and your collaborators would like to share a story of impact with others at Brown and beyond, please contact Lynda Curtis in the Office of University Communications.

The Swearer Center also spotlights engaged faculty and students in its newsletters and website and can co-sponsor or organize events related to research and public impact or engaged scholarship. If you would like to share a story of impact through these channels, please email swearer-comm@brown.edu.

For additional assistance with research and public impact or community engagement initiatives, reach out to: