Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (NSF INCLUDES)

Overview

<p>The NSF INCLUDES Big Idea is a strategic addition to the NSF portfolio that provides a distinctive approach to addressing broadening participation challenges faced by underrepresented and underserved groups in STEM through collaborative networks and partnerships. NSF INCLUDES builds on and amplifies other investments that NSF has made in broadening participation over many decades. Aligned with the White House five-year strategic plan for STEM education, Charting a Course for Success: America's Strategy for STEM Education, projects funded by this Big Idea help to increase diversity,<br>equity, and inclusion in STEM through strategic partnerships and convergent approaches. The Alliances are integral to NSF INCLUDES and bring together new partners from many academic and professional disciplines and leverage the five design elements of collaborative infrastructure to address a broadening participation challenge at scale. </p> <p>With this solicitation, NSF continues to invest in the important work of the NSF INCLUDES Big Idea and invites proposals for NSF INCLUDES Alliances. NSF INCLUDES Alliances build the infrastructure necessary to foster collaboration and broaden participation in STEM by emphasizing the following five design elements of collaborative infrastructure:</p> <ol> <li>Shared Vision,</li> <li>Partnerships,</li> <li>Goals and Metrics,</li> <li>Leadership and Communication, and</li> <li>the Potential for Expansion, Sustainability and Scale.</li> </ol> <p><span style="font-size:1em">The five design elements of collaborative infrastructure are critical for each NSF INCLUDES.</span></p> <p>Alliance and require Alliances to:</p> <ul> <li>Develop a shared vision and strategy (e.g., problem statement and theory of change) for broadening the participation of the target population(s) in STEM along with relevant metrics of success and key milestones/goals to be achieved during the project’s lifecycle;</li> <li>Develop multi-stakeholder partnerships and build infrastructure among them to decrease social distance and achieve progress on common goals targeted by the Alliance;</li> <li>Contribute to the knowledge base on broadening participation in STEM through broadening participation and implementation research, sharing project evaluations, data, new scientific findings/discoveries, and promising practices;</li> <li>Establish a "backbone" or support organization that provides a framework for communication and networking, network assistance and reinforcement, visibility and expansion of the Alliance and its partners, that will collaborate with the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub;</li> <li>Advance a logic model or other heuristic that identifies Alliance outcomes that reflect implementation of change at scale and progress toward developing an inclusive STEM enterprise.</li> </ul> <p>Collectively, NSF INCLUDES Alliances:</p> <ul> <li>Participate in a network of peer alliances to achieve long-term goals of the NSF INCLUDES Big Idea;</li> <li>Collaborate with the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub to build critical knowledge that shows measurable progress toward short-term and longterm goals; and</li> <li>Work to build connections to other organizations and broadening participation stakeholders to join in and expand the NSF National Network.</li> </ul> <p>In addition to addressing the five design elements of collaborative infrastructure, Alliances connect and contribute to the NSF INCLUDES National Network through the Alliance backbone support organization, the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub, current and potential partnerships, capacity building, resource sharing and/or other mechanisms. Proposals are especially encouraged that address broadening participation challenges not yet represented in the NSF INCLUDES portfolio of Alliances. </p> <p>NSF INCLUDES is one of the NSF 10 Big Ideas for future investment. Broadening participation challenges that connect to the other NSF 10 Big Ideas might also be considered. The other Big Ideas include: Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier, Growing Convergence Research, Harnessing the Data Revolution, Mid-scale Research Infrastructure, Navigating the New Arctic, NSF 2026, Quantum Leap, Understanding the Rules of Life, and Windows on the Universe. For more information regarding the NSF 10 Big Ideas, see: <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/big_ideas/">https://www.nsf.go…;