Opportunities

Inclusion Across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (NSF INCLUDES) Coordination Hub

This solicitation is for a NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub only. In previous NSF INCLUDES solicitations, the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub was referred to as a national backbone organization. NSF anticipates releasing separate solicitations that will offer opportunities for additional NSF INCLUDES Design and Development Launch Pilots and NSF INCLUDES Alliances with due dates in FY2018.

Synopsis of Program:

Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (NSF INCLUDES) is a comprehensive national initiative designed to enhance U.S. leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) discoveries and innovations focused on NSF's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and broadening participation in these fields. The initiative is developing a National Network composed of NSF INCLUDES Design and Development Launch Pilots, NSF INCLUDES Alliances, 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 the STEM workforce.

To facilitate the Network's operation, the program is soliciting proposals for a NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub that will drive and support the work of the NSF INCLUDES National Network over the life-cycle of the initiative by: (a) promoting the NSF INCLUDES guiding vision and strategy; (b) developing a collaborative infrastructure to support the activities of the various entities partnering in the NSF INCLUDES National Network; (c) fostering progress among Network partners toward shared models, measurement practices, and evaluation criteria; (d) communicating the discoveries of and generating enthusiasm for the NSF INCLUDES National Network; and (e) advancing the expansion and scale of the NSF INCLUDES National Network by connecting expertise from multiple sectors and other private and public funders.

The three critical functions of the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub are summarized below:

Communication and Networking: From the beginning the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub should direct efforts toward building the Network infrastructure by facilitating continuous communication and information updates, designing community activities, and fostering collaboration across all elements of the Network.

Network Assistance and Reinforcement: As NSF INCLUDES Alliances and other organizations join the NSF INCLUDES National Network, the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub should focus attention on assistance and reinforcement activities including technical assistance, conducting research, and facilitating shared measurement and data analysis across the Network.

Visibility and Expansion: The NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub should provide resources for efforts to focus on expansion and sustainability within the National Network, increase NSF INCLUDES visibility and communicate impact, while also serving as a repository for funding opportunities, research and knowledge generated by the NSF INCLUDES National Network and stakeholders.

Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter's local time): November 27, 2017