Research on Gender in Science and Engineering FY 2010 (GSE)

The Research on Gender in Science and Engineering program supports efforts to understand and address gender-based differences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and workforce participation through research, the diffusion of research-based innovations, and extension services in education that will lead to a larger and more diverse domestic science and engineering workforce. Typical projects will contribute to the knowledge base addressing gender-related differences in learning and in the educational experiences that affect student interest, performance, and choice of careers; how pedagogical approaches and teaching styles, curriculum, student services, and institutional culture contribute to causing or closing gender gaps that persist in certain fields. Projects will communicate and apply findings, evaluation results, and proven good practices and products to a wider community.

The Research on Gender in Science and Engineering program has been funding these objectives since 1993, under the prior names "Program for Women and Girls" (PWG), "Program for Gender Equity in Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology" (PGE), and "Gender Diversity in STEM Education" (GDSE). The program continues to seek to broaden the participation of girls and women in all fields of STEM education, but also considers gender more broadly to include research and diffusion activities focused on men and boys who are underrepresented in STEM fields.

The program does not currently fund intervention or education projects that directly serve students as their primary purpose, or that focus solely on evaluating a student intervention. Research projects may involve an intervention with students as subjects only if the intervention is an integral part of creating a context for gathering data and if the findings from the intervention would substantially answer the research questions posed within the context of theory, concepts or frameworks of interest. There should be meaningful control or comparison groups also included in the design when appropriate. Those wishing to undertake direct intervention or education service projects or evaluations are encouraged to search the NSF web site and other publications for appropriate funding programs. Please see section IX below for suggested programs to consult.

Innovation through Institutional Integration (I³) projects enable faculty, administrators, and others in institutions to think and act strategically about the creative integration of NSF-funded awards, with particular emphasis on awards managed through programs in the Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR), but not limited to those awards. For Fiscal Year 2010, proposals are being solicited in nine EHR programs that advance I³ goals: CREST, GSE, HBCU-UP, ITEST, LSAMP, MSP, Noyce, RDE, and TCUP.