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Broader Impacts

For the NSF, "intellectual merit" is about the potential to advance knowledge, and "broader impacts" refers to the potential for a research effort to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific societal outcomes. All proposals must address each of the two criteria fully and in separate statements.

NSF reviewers consider what proposers want to do, why they want to do it, how they plan to do it, how they will know if they succeed, and what benefits could accrue if a project is successful. Broader impacts may be accomplished through:

  • The research itself (for example, research that seeks to use statistics to improve predictions of severe weather)
  • Activities that are directly related to specific research projects (such as projects that provide research opportunities for high school and undergraduate students)
  • Activities that are supported by, but are complementary to the project (for example, novel semiconductor research that provides interdisciplinary research experiences for undergraduate and graduate students and also targets underrepresented high school students)

Proposals must include a statement on the broader impacts of the proposed research in order to be considered for funding. According to NSF, a well-written broader impacts section "should include activities that are clearly described; have a well-justified rationale; and demonstrate creativity or originality, or have a basis in established approaches. The proposer should have a well-organized strategy for accomplishment of clearly stated goals; establish the qualifications of those responsible for the activities; and demonstrate sufficient resources for support. A plan should be in place to document the results."

For more information on guidelines and expectations for broader impacts, read NSF's Broader Impacts special report and Frequently Asked Questions on merit review. In addition, the National Alliance for Broader Impacts offers numerous resources for building networks and incorporating broader impacts into research projects.

 

Last Updated: 12/1/22