资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

A researcher from the American Chemical Society at St. Jude's Research Hospital.

September 6, 2018

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has issued new awards that represent the next major step for its NSF INCLUDES program -- the development of a national network to enhance U.S. leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by broadening participation in those disciplines.

The U.S. innovation economy increasingly requires skilled STEM workers -- scientists, engineers, technicians and people with STEM backgrounds -- to maintain the nation's status as a global leader. Researchers have identified persistent challenges that limit the access of underrepresented populations to quality STEM education and opportunities for STEM employment. The NSF INCLUDES approach builds on a growing body of scientific research suggesting that complex problems -- such as overcoming the barriers many groups face in accessing STEM opportunities -- are best addressed through structured, collaborative partnerships focused on finding solutions through common goals and shared metrics.

"NSF INCLUDES was conceived as a sustained effort, a recognition that a problem as complex as the need to broaden participation in STEM requires a long-term, collaborative approach," said NSF Director France Córdova. "After laying the groundwork through pilot projects, NSF INCLUDES is taking a significant step toward creating a national network with these new awards."

The awards will support the first five NSF INCLUDES Alliances and the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub. These new entities will develop partnerships among stakeholders across the public, private and academic sectors, share promising practices for broadening participation and other useful data, contribute to the knowledge base on broadening participation in STEM through research, and establish a framework for supporting communications and networking among partners.

The NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub will facilitate the activities needed to build and maintain a strong NSF INCLUDES National Network, including communications, technical assistance and efforts aimed at increasing visibility. While the Alliances provide support for their partners to coordinate and expand, the Coordination Hub will function as a backbone organization for the entire NSF INCLUDES national network.

For decades, NSF and its partners have sought to create opportunities in STEM for all U.S. residents, ensuring that no matter who they are or where they come from, they have access to education and employment. NSF INCLUDES, one of the foundation's 10 Big Ideas for Future Investment, seeks to enhance collaboration among those working to broaden participation in STEM, to strengthen existing relationships, bring in new partners and provide resources and support to enhance their work.

"NSF INCLUDES addresses populations largely missing in the current science and engineering enterprise," Córdova said. "Their inclusion is essential in helping the U.S. maintain its position as the world's leader in innovation. Through NSF INCLUDES, we are funding researchers and others who have great proposals that would move the needle."

The new awards are listed below:

Coordination Hub

• NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub: SRI International, Timothy Podkul

Alliances

• NSF INCLUDES Alliance: Expanding the First2 STEM Success Network: Associated Universities Inc/Green Bank Observatory, Sue A. Heatherly; West Virginia University Research Corporation, Gay B. Stewart; Higher Education Policy Commission, Jan Taylor; Fairmont State College, Erica Harvey; High Rocks Educational Corporation, Sarah Riley

• NSF INCLUDES Alliance: Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions: University of Texas at El Paso, Ann Q. Gates

• NSF INCLUDES Alliance: STEM Core Expansion: Saddleback College, Jim Zoval; University of Colorado at Boulder, Sarah M. Miller

• NSF INCLUDES Alliance: Inclusive Graduate Education Network: American Physical Society, Theodore Hodapp; University of Southern California, Julie Posselt; Rochester Institute of Tech, Casey W. Miller; American Chemical Society, Joerg Schlatterer

• NSF INCLUDES Alliance: National Alliance for Inclusive and Diverse STEM Faculty (NAIDSF): Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, Howard J. Gobstein; University of Wisconsin-Madison, Robert D. Mathieu; University of California-Los Angeles, Erin Sanders; University of Texas at El Paso, Benjamin C. Flores; University of Georgia Research Foundation Inc., Suzanne E. Barbour; Iowa State University, Craig A. Ogilvie

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