The National Science Foundation (NSF) has published a new “Updates on NSF Priorities“ page, outlining changes to its funding criteria and programmatic focus.
Key Highlights:
- Merit Review Criteria: All NSF proposals will continue to be evaluated based on two statutory criteria: Intellectual Merit (the potential to advance knowledge) and Broader Impacts (the potential to benefit society and contribute to desired societal outcomes).
- Broadening Participation:Outreach and participation activities must be inclusive and not favor or exclude any group based on protected characteristics. Projects should aim for broad engagement, focusing on factors like geography, socioeconomic status, and career stage.
- Programs in STEM and S&E Fields:NSF will continue to support research with the goal of understanding or addressing participation in STEM, in accordance with all applicable statutes and mandates, with the core goal of creating opportunities for all Americans. NSF will continue to support basic and use-inspired research in S&E fields that focus on protected characteristics when doing so is intrinsic to the research question and is aligned with Agency priorities.
Researchers and administrators are encouraged to review the full guidance on the NSF’s official page.