Solving the mystery of “broader impacts”

NSF grants require “broader impacts”—or clear benefits to society. Find out how scientists can easily participate in science outreach programs to fulfill this obligation.

Funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) requires two components: intellectual merit and broader impacts. For most scientists, finding the intellectual merit—or how the proposed research advances science—is intuitive. However, broader impacts—or how the proposal benefits society—leave many scratching their heads.

Researchers can fulfill the broader impacts requirement in a variety of ways, including conducting research that directly improves the well-being of individuals in society, soliciting the participation of underrepresented minorities in STEM, or joining outreach programs that bring science to the community. With the importance of STEM funding and science communication falling on the public eye, the number of scientists choosing to participate in outreach programs is growing. Although getting started can be overwhelming, experts make meeting the broader impacts requirement simple.

“Outreach is a new skill that many scientists don’t have,” said Susan Slutz, director of science at Science Buddies, a nonprofit organization that provides science resources for K-12 students. Organizations like Science Buddies and the National Alliance for Broader Impacts (NABI), an NSF funded organization that engages and educates researchers about broader impacts activities, have the skills and motivation to develop outreach programs and partner with researchers to bridge the gap between scientists and non-scientists.

“Scientists are responsible for being able to communicate the importance of their research, and that in it of itself is a broader impact,” said Susan Renoe, chairperson of NABI. However, communicating research doesn’t mean that scientists need to give public lectures or teach elementary school students. Rather, the goal of outreach is to share the excitement of research and how it contributes to current problems facing societies.

So, what can scientists do to get started?

Outreach doesn’t have to feel like one more thing on a long list of tasks scientists have to do. “We want it to be something that works with their research, complements them, and it’s something they enjoy doing,” said Renoe.

Slutz suggests starting small. “Look around. What already exists? How can you start by just giving a couple of hours?” she asked. Many universities have outreach programs that can be found by searching for terms such as “outreach” or “summer camp.” Scientists in industry can look to the company social responsibility team for ways to contribute. Volunteering for a few hours at community organizations such as the YMCA or the Boys and Girls Club or judging local science fairs are also options. Additionally, scientists can answer questions from curious students online in forums such as Science Buddies’ “Ask an Expert” forum.

Science outreach is not limited to K-12 schools and communities. Renoe and her team are working with a Missouri University physicist to educate the Columbia, Missouri community about a rare solar eclipse happening later this year and preparing venues for people to watch the phenomenon. The NABI website contains resources for scientists looking to engage the community with their research.

Although scientist participation in outreach programs is improving, there is still room to grow. “We want people to think about how to engage their community over the course of their career rather than over the course of a three-year grant,” said Renoe. “When you engage the public in the work that you’re doing you listen to what they’re saying or what their needs are, that really changes the dynamic of the conversation. I want to see us move out of outreach and into engagement.”