Office of the
Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education
NSF Annonces Changes to Merit Review Criteria
NSF has issued important new details about Merit Review Criteria that are pertinent to both “Intellectual Merit” and “Broader Impacts.” Please read National Science Board (NSB) 1211 very carefully to ensure that COE proposals meet these new criteria. Complete information can be found at: http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/publications/2011/nsb1211.pdf?WT.mc_id=USNSF_194
Merit Review Criteria
When evaluating NSF proposals, reviewers should consider what the proposers want to do, why they want to do it, how they plan to do it, how they will know if they succeed, and what benefits would accrue if the project is successful. These issues apply both to the technical aspects of the proposal and the way in which the project may make broader contributions. To that end, reviewers are asked to evaluate all proposals against two criteria:
Intellectual Merit: The intellectual Merit criterion encompasses the potential to advance knowledge; and
Broader Impacts: The Broader Impacts criterion encompasses the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.
The following elements should be considered in the review for both criteria:
1. What is the potential for the proposed activity to
a. advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields (Intellectual Merit); and
b. benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader Impacts)?
2. To what extent do the proposed activities suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?
3. Is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities well-reasoned, well-organized, and based on a sound rationale? Does the plan incorporate a mechanism to assess success?
4. How well qualified is the individual, team, or institution to conduct the proposed activities?
5. Are there adequate resources available to the PI (either at the home institution or through collaborations) to carry out the proposed activities?
Center Proposal Enhancement Program
Update: The Office of the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education received eight proposals for the Center Proposal Enhancement Program. Additional information about these proposals and how the College of Engineering with support selected teams will be available soon.
Mission
The Office of the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education provides support for the College of Engineering's research enterprise, seeking to enhance the strength and vitality of engineering research by identifying new research opportunities, developing collaborations and establishing partnerships between faculty, industry and the government.
The Office of the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education includes the following functions:
- Overseeing research and research centers within the College of Engineering.
- Approving and processing research proposals submitted by or in collaboration with faculty in the College of Engineering.
- Managing College of Engineering cost-sharing funds in support of sponsored research.
