Resources for Demonstrating Research Impact in Proposals

Several federal agencies require some level of discussion regarding how funded research will impact society at large. This can include education plans, workforce development plans, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plans (see here for DEI resources related to proposal development). As an example, the National Science Foundation (NSF), refers to research impact as “Broader Impacts,” and define broader impacts as the potential of the research project to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of desired societal outcomes.

Below, we provide resources to help faculty define and develop their research impact (education, workforce development, DEI) plans, as well as locate potential university and local partners for those plans.

For questions regarding research impact criteria/expectations, please reach out to Dr. Kathryn Parsley (parsley@wustl.edu) in the Research Development Office. If you would like assistance with a broader impacts/DEI/workforce development plan, feel free to use this form to notify us and someone will reach out to assist you.

Guides to Developing Broader Impacts Plans

Guides to Developing PIER Plans

WU Internal Partners

  • Brown School Evaluation Center. Our passion is helping organizations create change through evaluation. Together, we’ll think strategically about your evaluation needs — making sure they align with your capacity and resources.
  • The Center for Diversity and Inclusion. The Center for Diversity and Inclusion supports and advocates for undergraduate, graduate and professional students from underrepresented and/or marginalized populations, creates collaborative partnerships with campus and community partners, and promotes dialogue and social change among all students.
  • Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences Diversity Outreach. DBBS Diversity Outreach initiatives promote scientific collaboration and academic success among scientists of varied backgrounds. Faculty and staff participate in activities and programs that seek to identify and recruit talented students to the Division. They support a number of educational, cultural, and enrichment programs.
  • Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement. The Gephardt Institute sponsors the Each One Teach One and Hawthorn InvestiGirls tutoring programs and supports some 40 student groups that serve local children.
  • Institute for School Partnership (ISP). The ISP provides campus-wide support for faculty to develop outreach opportunities with St. Louis area K-12 schools. ISP personnel work with faculty to help identify the best engagement for them and turn their passion into action.
  • Kathryn M. Buder Center for American Indian Studies. The Buder Center develops programs and curriculum, engages in research, builds relationships and partnerships with communities and people, and develops the ability of its students and alumni to make positive change in Indian Country.
  • The Office for Institutional Equity. The OIE has assembled a staff that supports infrastructure design, institutional capacity building, and facilitation and support of existing assets, efforts, and expertise.  They seek to be in partnership with units as they move from increasing awareness of the need for change to sustaining necessary shifts to norm a more diverse, equitable and inclusive campus culture and climate.
  • School of Medicine Office of Diversity Programs. The Office of Diversity Programs recruits and serves a diverse group of students, faculty and trainees underrepresented in medicine.
  • Skandalaris Center. The Center works to solve the world’s problems and meet local needs through innovation and entrepreneurship. As an interdisciplinary center, their initiatives, programs, and courses serve students, faculty, staff, and alumni from all levels and disciplines.
  • The Teaching and Learning Center. The Teaching Center consists of the Educational Development and Classroom Services programs, which provide training and resources to instructors at all levels: faculty, lecturers, postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduate teaching assistants.
  • WUSTL Open Science Framework. OSF is a free, open platform to support wide dissemination of your research and enable collaboration
  • Young Scientists Program. The Young Scientist Program aims to attract students to scientific careers and increase the participation of underrepresented groups in science by bringing resources and scientists directly to teachers and students in the St. Louis area.

Community Partners

  • 39 North. The value proposition of 39 North is clear, unique, and in demand. 39 North aims to be the agri-food tech/plant science hub that brings together people, resources, and facilities to grow St. Louis’ economy and global reputation.
  • Academy of Science St. Louis. The Academy initiative, Gateway to Science, St. Louis Region, has been facilitating interactions between providers of educational programming and community organizations by providing a website and information listing educational programs, resources, and learning opportunities in subjects relating to science, applied science, math, and engineering.
  • Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center. To realize the full potential of advanced manufacturing in the Bi-State region, AMICSTL is collaborating with hundreds of companies across eight key verticals: Aerospace & Defense, Agtech & Plant Sciences, Automotive, Biomedical & Life Sciences, Construction, Energy, Geospatial & Location Sciences, and Transportation & Logistics.
  • API Innovation Center. The API Innovation Center (APIIC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to enabling the delivery of market-competitive commercial supply of U.S.-made active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to address national health security. 
  • BioSTL‘s mission is to ensure the region’s significance and dynamism in the 21st century by establishing and securing for St. Louis an innovation economy that is vibrant, wholly inclusive, and globally connected.
  • Cortex Innovation Community.  Founded by Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, University of Missouri – St. Louis, BJC Healthcare, and the Missouri Botanical Garden, it is one of the region’s largest innovation campuses, physically designed and actively curated to accelerate high-growth startups and advance established innovative corporates. Cortex is a nationally and internationally recognized innovation hub that supports all technology sectors.
  • Danforth Plant Science Center. The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center provides educational programs that encourage and elevate public understanding of science and scientific research. Danforth Center scientists are involved in training and mentoring young scientists, as well as supporting regional science educators and students.
  • Downtown North. Downtown North is at the intersection of geoint, fintech and entrepreneurship at large. A premier technology hub — committed to empowering and enriching lives, solving problems, and keeping America safe. DTN is a live / work / play community home to entrepreneurs and industry leaders in geospatial intelligence and financial technology.
  • Greater St. Louis Inc. Greater St. Louis, Inc. was founded on Jan. 1, 2021, combining the strengths of five legacy organizations — AllianceSTL, Arch to Park, Civic Progress, Downtown STL, Inc., and the St. Louis Regional Chamber — to unify around a common vision and strategy for fostering inclusive economic growth.
  • Missouri Botanical Garden. The Missouri Botanical Garden’s Education staff offers outreach options for Early Childhood classes.
  • St. Louis Magic House. More than 25,000 students every year participate in Magic House programs in their own schools, libraries, camps, and child-care facilities.
  • St. Louis Science Center. The Saint Louis Science Center is interested in partnering with the university-research community to support public understanding of science in the Mid-West region of the country.
  • St. Louis Zoo. The Zoo provides programming for anyone, from ages 2-102, including schools, libraries, senior groups, scout groups, day cares and numerous other community organizations.
  • T-REX. T-REX is a non-profit innovation, entrepreneur and workforce development organization that provides quality programming, collaborative community, and low cost, flexible enterprise space. T-REX is the home of nearly 200 companies and innovation support organizations and a proud partner of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency. To date, T-REX companies have created over 5,000 jobs in the St. Louis region.