Evaluation planning
EAC collaborates across NSF and with the broader research community to develop evaluation plans that provide decision makers with the evidence and data they need to understand and improve program performance, outcomes, and impacts. EAC summarizes its plans in the agency’s learning agenda and annual evaluation plan.
NSF learning agenda
The NSF learning agenda identifies a set of priority questions that NSF will strive to answer through the studies supported over the next few years. In that way, the learning agenda serves as a broad research plan for NSF’s evidence-building activities and agency learning priorities. To ensure NSF is focused on the highest priority questions, the learning agenda is developed in tandem with the agency's strategic plan.
NSF Learning Agenda Fiscal Year 2022 - 2026
NSF's Learning Agenda describes the evidence-building efforts NSF expects to pursue several over the four years of the next Strategic Plan, FY 2022 — FY 2026.
Annual evaluation plan
The Annual Evaluation Plan (AEP) describes the evaluations prioritized by NSF for each fiscal year and includes evaluations that NSF is planning to begin or continue in the fiscal year. The AEP identifies the selection criteria and the research questions behind each evaluation. It also includes an overview of the background/rationale, timeline, technical approach, data sources, expected challenges and mitigation strategies, and the use and dissemination plans for each research question.
NSF Annual Evaluation and Evidence Plan (FY 2025)
This plan describes the evaluations prioritized by NSF for FY 2025. It includes an overview of the background/rationale, timeline, technical approach, data sources, expected challenges and their mitigation strategies, and the use and dissemination plans for each prioritized evaluation. The plan also provides updates on evaluations and evidence-building activities described in prior years.
Prior plans
NSF Annual Evaluation Plan (FY 2024)
This plan describes the evaluations prioritized by NSF for FY 2024. It includes an overview of the background/rationale, timeline, technical approach, data sources, expected challenges and their mitigation strategies, and the use and dissemination plans for each research question.
NSF Annual Evaluation Plan (FY 2023)
This plan describes the evaluations prioritized by NSF for FY 2023. It includes an overview of the background/rationale, timeline, technical approach, data sources, expected challenges and their mitigation strategies, and the use and dissemination plans for each research question.
NSF Annual Evaluation Plan (FY 2022)
This plan describes the evaluations prioritized by NSF for FY 2022. It includes an overview of the background/rationale, timeline, technical approach, data sources, expected challenges and their mitigation strategies, and the use and dissemination plans for each research question.