Many investigators don't know what constitutes "Broader Impacts," so NSF has provided a five-page publication providing examples.  (Acrobat® Reader®  is required to view this publication.)
Merit Review Broader Impacts Criterion: Representative Activities
All proposals to NSF are evaluated on the basis of two criteria: Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. These are described in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (NSF 04-2). NSF will return without review proposals that do not separately address BOTH of these review criteria within the one-page Project Summary.

South Dakota is rich in possibilities for Broader Impacts, a few of which are listed here.

Science on the Move - Science On The Move is a program to bring Science technology and curriculum to
K-12 schools. A mobile science truck, along with instructors, is available to present a variety of science lessons to students. The goal of Science on the Move is to bring Science and technology to the students
as an extension of their regular classroom. Contact Jerry Opbroek (opbroekja@mit.midco.net, 605-770-8212) if you think your research could be a curriculum topic for Science On The Move.

Chemical Education - Dr. Matthew Miller (605-688-6274) of the SDSU Chemistry & Biochemistry Department works with high school teachers, and is interested in conveying information about chemistry-related research to them. Matt may also know of qualified teachers who can participate in research projects. If you are successful in obtaining an NSF grant, there are special NSF supplement funds for involving K-12 teachers in your research.
 

Joining Across Miles Environmental Systems (JAMES) River Project -

• An opportunity for high school and middle school students to conduct authentic research.
• Collaborative research project between K12 schools and the University of South Dakota in the upper Missouri River Basin.

Marie Steckelberg, assistant professor of science education at The University of South Dakota, coordinates the JAMES River Project along with the Division of Curriculum and Instruction and the Division of Technology for Training and Development (TTD) within USD's School of Education. Click here for news release story.

South Dakota Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Center-

The SBIR program was established in 1982 to provide increased opportunities for small businesses to:

·        meet federal research and development needs,
·        increase employment,
·        foster and encourage participation in technological innovation by socially and economically
    disadvantaged persons,
·        increase private-sector commercialization of innovations derived from federal research and
    development.

The SBIR program offers a number of benefits to entrepreneurs and small businesses. Some of these benefits include the following:

·         Provides over $1 billion annually to small businesses to research high risk innovations

·         Solicits research in a variety of subject areas

·         Most patent and proprietary rights remain with the small business

·         Funds do not have to be repaid---SBIR is not a loan program

·         Does not require owner to sacrifice equity in the company