NSF 24-587 Research on the Science and Technology Enterprise: Indicators, Statistics, and Methods

Overview

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent Federal agency created by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 USC 1861-75). The Act states the purpose of the NSF is "to promote the progress of science; [and] to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare by supporting research and education in all fields of science and engineering."

NSF Supports analytic and methodological research focused on improving NSCSES data quality, as well as education and training in the use of large-scale nationally representative datasets to advance the understanding of the science and technology enterprise.

NCSES' core mission areas are:

• The collection, acquisition, analysis, reporting, and dissemination of statistical data on science, engineering, technology and research and development related to the United States and other nations;
• Support of research that uses NCSES data;
• Methodological research in areas related to its work; and
• Education and training of researchers in the use of large-scale nationally representative data sets

To that end, NCSES invites proposals for individual or multi-investigator research projects, doctoral dissertation improvement awards, conferences, experimental research, survey research and data collection, and dissemination projects under its program for Research on the Science and Technology Enterprise: Indicators, Statistics, and Methods (NCSES S&T). NCSES welcomes proposals for research, conferences, and studies to advance the understanding of the S&T enterprise and encourage development of methods that will improve the quality of our data. 

Research could include:

• improved approaches to indicator construction and presentation, new S&T indicator development, strengthening of data collection methodologies and privacy protection to improve surveys that collect S&T data, investigations of alternate data sources to study S&T topics, analyses to inform STEM education and workforce policy, and innovations in the communication of S&T statistics. 
• NCSES encourages proposals that analyze NCSES data or NCSES data in conjunction with those from other sources but does not limit the work to the analysis of the data it collects.

Potential topics for consideration include but are not limited to:

Improving analytical techniques to produce better indicators of issues related to: 

• the education and retention of scientists and engineers including minorities, women, or persons with disabilities as described in the NCSES publication Diversity and STEM: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities 2023 | NSF - National Science Foundation, 
• the demand, supply, career pathways, and/or characteristics of science and engineering personnel, including those without bachelor’s degrees 
• outcomes and impacts of research and development (R&D) expenditures in various sectors, countries, and fields including emerging science and technology fields, 
• estimates of current and near-term future S&T resources; and (5) measures of U.S. competitiveness in S&T.
• international comparisons of S&T capabilities and activities, 
• indicators of international education and mobility of scientists and engineers, and foreign investment in S&T activities.

Developing new and/or improved methods of measuring the inputs, outputs, interactions, and social or economic impacts of S&T activities. These methods could involve the use of administrative records, social media, or novel data extraction methods.

Developing new data, analyses, and/or indicators of the globalization of science, engineering, and technology, as well as analyses leading to a better understanding of the changing global economy. This could include: 

Improving data collection methodologies for S&T surveys and censuses, including those conducted by NCSES. 

• Such studies could research improvements in the target population, sample frame, and sample design, focusing on coverage and sampling error. 
• Also included are developments of new data collection techniques and operational efficiencies such as adaptive survey design and passive data collection. 
• Studies focused on the respondent experience and reduction in respondent burden such as modular survey design are also relevant.

Improving analysis and data processing methodologies for NCSES data by researching topics such as imputation techniques, privacy protections, or data consistency with related surveys or administrative data. 

• This research could also involve investigations of linkage of alternate data sources to supplement NCSES data and reporting. 
• Pursuing innovations in the dissemination of S&T statistics to encourage communication of the information in a timely and user-friendly fashion. 
• This could include interactive visualizations, studies of user needs, and new reporting formats for indicators.

Broadening Participation In Stem:

"Broadening participation in STEM" is the comprehensive phrase used by NSF to refer to the Foundation's goal of increasing the representation and diversity of individuals, organizations, and geographic regions that contribute to STEM teaching, research, and innovation. To broaden participation in STEM, it is necessary to address issues of equity, inclusion, and access in STEM education, training, and careers. Whereas all NSF programs might support broadening participation components, some programs primarily focus on supporting broadening participation research and projects. Examples can be found on the NSF Broadening Participation in STEM website.
 

Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant proposals: The dissertation advisor must be listed as the Principal Investigator and the student must be listed as the co-Principal Investigator.

Award Information
Estimated Number of Awards: 5 to 10 Based on the quality of proposals and the availability of awards each year.