WATCH US https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFanhkKnroE is a nationwide design and development pilot focused on understanding programs that successfully broaden participation of women in the mathematical sciences. A research study was conducted during 2016-17 to better understand how enrichment programs work to recruit and retain women as they work toward obtaining advanced degrees in the mathematical sciences. We collaborated with six successful programs for women which have collectively served more than 5,000 participants over the span of twenty years.
Through both quantitative and qualitative research methods, we examined the barriers to success including Individual (confidence gap and biased self-assessments), Interactional (social isolation and implicit bias), and Social/Structural (organizational and cultural impediments) and how enrichment programs combat these barriers.
Among the most effective attributes of current and former enrichment programs were found to be:
* Mentoring to help participants navigate through critical transition points in their education
* Providing Role Models who show participants that women like them have made it through the process before
* Increasing Confidence by having the participants work on challenging mathematics in a supportive environment
* Building a Community of Peers who will have their backs and provide support as they progress through graduate programs
* Increasing Understanding of the Process of graduate school so they know how to apply, thrive,
* Broadening Knowledge of Mathematics and Careers so they have a clearer understanding of their futures
* Providing an Opportunity to Strengthen Core Knowledge so they have more background for and confidence in their classes
We wish to fund prototype projects that will reach a large audience of women, at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels, and provide them with one or more of the attributes (above) that have been proven successful. The prototype projects should be projects that are, ultimately, scalable; that is, could reach a significant percentage of all women considering entering or already in a graduate program in mathematics.
Award Information: We anticipate awarding 10-20 awards of size $2,000 - 5,000. At least 90% of the funding must be for participant support, with up to 10% of the total budget for materials. There are no indirect costs or support for the proposer. The awards will be made on a reimbursement basis and will run October 1, 2017—September 30, 2018.
See the RFP at the link above for more details.
NSF INCLUDES WATCH US
Date Posted: Aug 29, 2017
Deadline: Sep 15, 2017