Swearer Center for Public Service

Broader Impacts

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Broader Impacts

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 for Broader Impacts

Major federal and philanthropic funders increasingly expect not only intellectual merit but also significant societal benefit from research activities. The National Science Foundation (NSF) invites researchers to describe their plans to answer the question “how does your research benefit society” in a component the NSF calls Broader Impacts. Other federal agencies ask researchers to share similar research components using different strategies. For example, many programs within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) require Plans for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP), which provide a “summary of actionable strategies to advance the scientific merit of the proposed project through diverse perspectives.”    NIH has also released funding opportunities encouraging “bidirectional community engagement.” Many foundations and donors seekto support projects that generate knowledge and collaborative action relevant to pressing public issues and community priorities. For help developing such plans for proposals to federal agencies (including the NSF), connect with Research Strategy and Development in the Division of Research (formerly known as OVPR). 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 Broader Impacts activity 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 broaderimpacts@brown.edu.

We also welcome suggestions regarding Brown’s support for Broader Impacts efforts. The Broader Impacts Working Group is connected to the university’s Community Engagement Council and supports colleagues at Brown with research proposals (primarily but not exclusively to federal funding agencies) that include K-12 or other community-based Broader Impacts activities.

Support for NSF CAREER Award Proposals

In May and June of each year, the Research Strategy and Development team in the Division of Research and the Research and Public Impact Working Group organize an informational workshop and mock peer review panels of full draft proposals. 

Consultations

Throughout the year, colleagues from various units across campus (see below) are available to consult with individuals and groups writing NSF or other federal or foundation proposals. The campus partners listed below have valuable expertise related to various aspects of proposal and partnership development. 

In addition to consultative meetings, they may be able to offer substantial support for strategy development, including strategies for generating and communicating a compelling case for your research, leveraging other research investments at Brown or other institutions, and other strategic considerations. Our offices also help with team building, including identifying potential collaborators from other departments or institutions. Finally, with enough notice, we can help draft content, provide evidence/literature to cite, suggest resources for programmatic infrastructure and professional development, and help draft and secure letters of support. 

Please reach out with questions and ideas, ideally months – or at least weeks – before your proposal deadline. ORSD and other university staff can provide you with assistance in the following areas:

Proposal Development

Partnership Development 

Materials from sessions featuring some of those consultants are also available:

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 Broader Impacts 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 BI 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 broader impacts or engaged scholarship; please email swearer-comms@brown.edu if interested.