The National Science Foundation (NSF) and other federal research agencies now require researchers to justify not only the “intellectual merit” of their proposed research, but also its “broader impacts.” The National Science Foundation (NSF) defines “Broader Impacts” as The potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.
The broader impact of your work is becoming increasingly important to federal granting agencies. The NSF specifically requires that a portion of your grant narrative address broader impacts, and other agencies, including the NEH and the Department of Education, are also expecting more public impact from your research. There are many opportunities to share your research throughout the life of your grant in addition to publication and other post-funding deliverables.
Your broader impact statement should inform reviewers of the staying power and applicability of your research. When writing your broader impact statement, be as specific and straightforward as possible. Describe any programs, departments, institutions or organizations that align with or may benefit from your research, and include specific ways that your research could be applied. Consider both academic and non-academic means of sharing your research as well as how your research could be generalized or reimagined for future projects by you or others.
OSU offers resources to help understand how to incorporate broader impacts into your research through the Center for Strategic Proposal Development. In addition, the Office of Broader Impacts in Research at University of Oklahoma, is EPSCOR funded and serves as a point of contact at the University of Oklahoma to institutionalize a Broader Impacts culture as well as gain knowledge and get help in developing, implementing, and evaluating high quality Broader Impact programs and portfolios for and beyond Agency and NSF Criterion.
Guidance on How Broader Impacts Can Be Accomplished:
- Through the research itself (i.e., research that has potential to lead to breakthroughs in certain industries or contribute to solutions to societal problems)
- Through the activities that are directly related to specific research projects (e.g., using the research project as a training ground for students or early-career scientists)
- Through activities that are supported by, but are complementary to, the project (e.g., running an educational workshop for high school students on your research topic)
Examples of Target Outcomes for Broader Impacts Activities:
- Full participation of women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in STEM
- Improved STEM education and educator development at any level
- Increased public scientific literacy and public engagement with science and technology
- Improved well-being of individuals in society
- Development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce
- Increased partnerships between academia, industry, and others
- Improved national security
- Increased economic competitiveness of the United States
- Enhanced infrastructure for research and education
Questions to Consider
- What is the potential for the proposed activity to benefit society and contribute to achievement of specific desired societal outcomes?
- To what extent do the proposed activities suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?
- Is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities well-reasoned, well organized, and based on a sound rationale? Does the plan incorporate a mechanism to assess success?
- How well qualified is the individual, team, or institution to conduct the proposed activities?
- Are there adequate resources available to the PI (either at the home institution or through collaborations) to carry out the proposed activities? Is the budget allocated for Broader Impact activities sufficient to successfully implement them?
Examples and Resources Opportunities for Broader Impact
As your write your broader impact statement, think about how you might implement your research findings by:
- Presenting public talks for non-academic audiences
- Hosting workshops, seminars, or panels
- Creating K-16 curricular units, pamphlets, or brochures
- Sharing information via YouTube videos, blogs, or social media
- Developing apps or computer programs
- Meeting with media or audiences involved with and interested in your project
