Question 1

It is important to build a long-term program of impact as part of a research portfolio.

The size of the target audience should be taken into consideration. For many Broader Impacts (BI) or Societal Impact (SI) activities that involve education, outreach, or public engagement, the size of the audience reached and the depth or intensity of their engagement are important considerations and represent a design as well as outcome tradeoff. A large number of individuals can be reached over a short period of time to introduce them to a research concept or raise awareness. A smaller number of individuals may be engaged for a deeper experience. It is important that the proposer be thoughtful about this tradeoff, make sure it is appropriate to the intended outcomes of the BI/SI activity, and that the intended societal benefits are articulated.

Other considerations can be the potential for scalability of the activities, either during the funding period or beyond, and sustainability of the activities beyond the grant.

Are the broader Societal Impact activities being proposed related to the goals of the project and tied to societal benefits?
What other partners or collaborators are you bringing to this activity?

Are the participants being targeted clearly described and the rationale for engaging them clearly justified?
Is the target number of engaged participants clearly described?

How will the participants be recruited?
What is the length of engagement?
Is there a mechanism described for reaching audiences?
Has the proposer described existing relationships or new partnerships, which will help them reach their audience?

Are the benefits to the participants/society described?
If appropriate, is a path for deploying beneficial technologies or practices clearly mapped out?