Broader Impact Statements
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. 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.
Questions to Consider:
- How well does the activity advance discovery and understanding while promoting teaching, training and learning?
- How well does the proposed activity broaden the participation of underrepresented groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic, etc.)?
- To what extent will it enhance the infrastructure for research and education, such as facilities, instrumentation, networks, and partnerships?
- Will the results be disseminated broadly to enhance scientific and technological understanding?
Resources:
Examples of Broader Impact Opportunities
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
Established Programs/Organizations To Get Involved In
- Center for Excellence in STEM Education, which offers several programs and partnerships to enhance STEM education in West Virginia.
- Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE), which enables undergraduate students interested in graduate school to participate in research at WVU over the summer.
- West Virginia Science Public Outreach Team (WV SPOT), which recruits and trains undergraduates to deliver STEM-related presentations and activities to K-12 students in West Virginia.
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at WVU, which offers non-credit courses, lectures, field trips, and events to adults over age 50.
- The Conversation, an independent publisher of explanatory journalism that connects academic experts and the general public.