Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science

NSF INCLUDES (Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science) is a comprehensive national initiative designed to enhance U.S. leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) discoveries and innovations by focusing on broadening participation in these fields at scale. The vision of NSF INCLUDES is to catalyze the STEM enterprise to collaboratively work for inclusive change, which will result in a STEM workforce that reflects the population of the Nation. The initiative is developing a National Network composed of NSF INCLUDES Design and Development Launch Pilots, NSF INCLUDES Alliances, an NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub, NSF-funded broadening participation projects, other relevant NSF-funded projects, scholars engaged in broadening participation research, and other organizations that support the development of talent from all sectors of society to build an inclusive STEM workforce. The successful implementation of NSF INCLUDES will result in substantial advances toward a diverse, innovative, and well-prepared STEM workforce to support our Nation’s economy and continued U.S. leadership in the global STEM enterprise. It is anticipated that NSF’s investment will contribute to new and improved STEM career pathways, policies, opportunities to learn, and practices for equity and inclusion. The initiative will be supported by the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub (NSF 17-591) that will provide a framework for communication and networking, network assistance and reinforcement, and visibility and expansion for the NSF INCLUDES National Network as a whole.

This solicitation offers opportunities for NSF INCLUDES Alliances. The critical functions of each NSF INCLUDES Alliance are to:

  1. Develop a vision and strategy (e.g., problem statement and theory of change) for broadening participation in STEM along with relevant metrics of success and key milestones/goals to be achieved during the project’s lifecycle;

  2. 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;

  3. Develop multi-stakeholder partnerships and build infrastructure among them to decrease social distance and achieve progress on common goals targeted by the Alliance;

  4. 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;

  5. 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.

Collectively, the set of NSF INCLUDES Alliances are to:

  1. Participate in a network of peer alliances to achieve long-term goals of the NSF INCLUDES program;

  2. Collaborate with the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub to build critical knowledge that shows measurable progress toward long-term goals; and

  3. Work to build on-ramps for other organizations and broadening participation stakeholders to join in and expand the NSF National Network.

Number of Applications
1 as lead institution
Amount of Funding

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or Co-PI:

An individual may serve as a PI or Co-PI on only two (2) NSF INCLUDES Alliance proposals. Proposals that exceed the PI or Co-PI limit will be returned without review. In the event that an individual exceeds this limit, proposals received within the limit will be accepted based on earliest date and time of proposal submission. No exceptions will be made.

Estimated Number of Awards: 1 to 3

In FY 2018, up to three (3) NSF INCLUDES Alliance awards will be made pending the availability of funds.

Anticipated Funding Amount: $8,500,000

In FY 2018, approximately $8.5 million is available to fund new NSF INCLUDES Alliance awards.

Eligibility

All NSF INCLUDES Alliance proposals must be built upon a foundation developed by one or more NSF INCLUDES Design and Development Launch Pilot project(s). The integration of the Design and Development Launch Pilot's broadening participation goals and collaborative change strategies must be clearly evident in the Alliance proposal. Partnerships based on more than one Launch Pilot are especially encouraged. Additionally:

  • At least one Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator from an NSF INCLUDES Design and Development Launch Pilot must be included as a PI/Co-PI on the Alliance proposal.

  • While the NSF INCLUDES Design and Development Launch Pilot PI's organization does not have to be the lead organization for the Alliance proposal, nor does the individual have to be the lead PI, the choice of lead institution or PI should be fully explained in the proposal.

  • Design and Development Launch Pilots may be a part of more than one Alliance proposal. However, they may be the lead institution on only one Alliance proposal.

  • In instances where a group of two or more of the same Design and Development Launch Pilots come together to submit an Alliance proposal, they are limited to one Alliance proposal submission representing that group.

Submission Process

Step 1

No later than 5:00 p.m. on January 14, 2019, please attach the following materials as a single PDF document in an email to Stephanie Endy, at stephanie.endy@case.edu:

  1. Cover letter listing PI Name, Department, and school or college, all Key Personnel on the project, the project title, and the name and institution of the PI or Co-PI from the funded NSF INCLUDES Design and Development Launch Pilot(s) that are providing the foundation for your proposal.

  2. NSF-style biosketch for the PI.

  3. One page description of the project including a description of the intellectual merit and broader impact of the project.

Materials should be submitted as a single PDF attachment in an email sent to Stephanie Endy at stephanie.endy@case.edu.

Step 2

Final nominees will be notified of their selection by January 23, 2019

Step 3

Final proposal must be received by the Office of Research Administration by March 26, 2019 at 5:00pm EST

Step 4

Final proposal must be received by the sponsor by April 2, 2019 at 5:00pm EST

Deadlines

Abstract or LOI to ORA Chosen Proposal Announced ORA Final Proposal Due Date Sponsor Submission Deadline Days Until Due
01/14/2019 01/23/2019 03/26/2019 04/02/2019 CLOSED