Broader Impacts Partners and Resources

The National Science Foundation (NSF) and other federal agencies are increasingly emphasizing the need for investigators to develop and justify the “Broader Impacts” of their research.  Broader Impacts is defined 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 broader impacts as well as potential university and local partners.

Contact us if you have questions about broader impacts criteria/expectations, or would like help with your broader impacts plans, activities, or potential partners.

Guides to Develop Broader Impacts

WU Internal Partners

  • Institute for School Partnerships (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.
  • 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.
  • CIRCLE. CIRCLE conducts research and collaborates with faculty with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of classroom teaching innovations, and use the findings of our research to further inform and refine classroom practices, resulting in a full circle approach.
  • The Academy for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The Academy 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.
  • 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.
  • The Office of the Vice Provost Faculty Advancement and Institutional Diversity. The Office of the Vice Provost Faculty Advancement and Institutional Diversity focuses primarily on faculty diversity and development, consulting and collaborating with Washington University’s schools on their diversity and inclusion goals. Initiatives and programs include faculty recruitment, leadership development, and pipeline programs.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • WUSTL Open Science Framework. OSF is a free, open platform to support wide dissemination of your research and enable collaboration
  • 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.
  • 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.

Community Partners

  • 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 Magic House. More than 25,000 students every year participate in Magic House programs in their own schools, libraries, camps, and child-care facilities.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Missouri Botanical Gardens. The Missouri Botanical Garden’s Education staff offers outreach options for Early Childhood classes.
  • 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.