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

Overview

The NSF INCLUDES vision is to catalyze the STEM enterprise to work collaboratively for inclusive change, resulting in a STEM workforce that reflects the diversity of the Nation's population. NSF INCLUDES seeks to broaden participation in STEM fields through a National Network that inspires and accelerates collaborative efforts aimed at increasing the active participation of those who have been historically excluded and/or under-served in STEM. The National Network is composed of NSF INCLUDES projects, other NSF - funded projects with broadening participation components, scholars engaged in broadening participation research and evaluation, Subcommittee on Federal Coordination in STEM Education (FC-STEM) agencies, and organizations that support the goals of NSF INCLUDES. NSF INCLUDES is distinguished by its focus on collaborative infrastructure building to achieve systemic impacts and results at scale. 

This solicitation seeks to support diverse perspectives, networks, and approaches. New and established partnerships may propose projects engaging with any educational level or context. With this solicitation, NSF continues to offer opportunities to propose projects that: a) contribute rigorous research to the knowledge base about broadening participation in STEM and b) motivate and accelerate collaborative efforts to advance equity, sustain systemic change, and demonstrably broaden participation in STEM, especially in STEM fields that lack diversity. Researchers and practitioners with experience and expertise in institutions committed to broadening participation are strongly encouraged to consider this opportunity. 

Proposals must align with the four NSF INCLUDES key principles: 

(1) broadening participation in STEM

(2) enabling sustainable change in systems

(3) scaling up outcomes in ways that advance equity

(4) building collaborative infrastructure. 

Network Connectors 

Network Connectors initiate or maintain linkages to the NSF INCLUDES National Network for projects or partnerships that are not currently funded by NSF INCLUDES. Network connector proposals may be submitted by existing NSF-funded and non-NSF funded projects seeking funding to provide or participate in: 

• new collaborations that expand the impact of active or previously-funded NSF INCLUDES projects; 
• new opportunities for collaboration across the NSF INCLUDES National Network; 
• novel ideas to bring a community of NSF-funded projects into the NSF INCLUDES National Network; 
• efforts to equitably scale up innovative and evidence-based approaches to broadening participation in STEM; 
• NSF-funded research activities with the goal of broadening participation in STEM; 
• development of shared goals, measures, and mutually reinforcing activities to build collaborative infrastructure for broadening participation in STEM; 
• communicating knowledge and results from the NSF broadening participation portfolio of programs and projects, 
• NSF Center-scale activities, or other major Foundation investments; or
• communicating findings from the science of broadening participation research community to the NSF INCLUDES National Network, especially pertaining to new efforts to translate basic research into practice.

Network Connectors implement connections to NSF-funded or other existing projects and evidence-based approaches. A letter of collaboration from a leader of the existing project is needed. Institutions and organizations that are new to the National Network who are looking to adopt or adapt evidence-based practices that emerged from current or previously-funded NSF INCLUDES projects are encouraged to apply.

Conferences 

Conferences provide platforms for new collaborations or exchange of ideas that strengthen the NSF INCLUDES National Network. Conference proposals may be submitted by current or former NSF INCLUDES awardees or organizations that are not currently part of the NSF INCLUDES portfolio.

An organization may serve as a lead organization on only one proposal per project type, not including conferences. Proposals that exceed the organizational limit will be returned without review. No exceptions will be made. Applications to the internal competition are available on InfoReady.

Network connector proposals may request up to $250,000 per year for up to two years. Requests that exceed $250,000 may be considered, depending on the description of need in the proposal and the proposed activities.

Conference proposals may request up to $100,000 for one year. NSF INCLUDES will consider conference proposals on an ongoing basis.