Broadening Participation at the National Science Foundation: A Framework for Action

The National Science Foundation (NSF) supports the most meritorious ideas submitted as proposals from researchers and educators in all fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Creating opportunities and developing innovative strategies to broaden participation among diverse individuals, institutions, and geographic areas are critical to the NSF mission of identifying and funding work at the leading edge of discovery. The creative engagement of diverse ideas and perspectives is essential to enabling the transformative research that invigorates our nation’s scientific and engineering enterprise. Broadening participation infuses science and engineering excellence into varied individual, institutional, and geographic networks and provides for the discovery and nurturing of talent wherever it may be found.

NSF defines broadening participation in terms of individuals from underrepresented groups as well as institutions and geographic areas that do not participate in NSF research programs at rates comparable to others. Broadening participation is part of the overall merit review process used at NSF. Some NSF programs, however, have a particular focus or emphasis on broadening participation, and these comprise NSF’s Broadening Participation Portfolio.

To integrate broadening participation with NSF’s core processes, such as merit review and award oversight, NSF is pursuing a set of seven action items recommended by a working group in consultation with NSF staff, senior management, and advisory committees. Together these action items form a framework for implementation. They include actions to broaden the pool of reviewers, train NSF staff and reviewers, ensure accountability for NSF staff and principal investigators, communicate guidance and promising practices, and maintain a portfolio of relevant programs.