Projects by topic
EAC evaluations and studies span research areas ranging from STEM talent and development to assessing the very evaluation methods and tools used to support data-driven decisions at NSF.

Study of Anti-Harassment Policies, Guidelines, and Communications, June 2022 This study investigates and responds to questions in NSF's learning agenda related to recent anti-harassment policies to promote safe, harassment-free environments for the practice of science. Executive Summary (PDF, 170.61 KB) | Full Report (PDF, 1.18 MB) | Technical Appendix (PDF, 817.54 KB)

NSF International Research Experiences for Undergraduates: A Comparative Analysis of the IRES and REU Programs, April 2021 This report provides a portrait of participants in the International Research Experiences for Students and Research Experiences for Undergraduates programs, highlighting findings that inform NSF's strategic planning and program improvement efforts. Full Report (PDF, 1.97 MB)

Evaluation of the International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) Program: Survey Analysis, September 2020 This report provides detailed descriptive information on the characteristics of IRES participants, their experiences and satisfaction with the program, and their educational and employment outcomes collected through a survey of former participants. Full Report (PDF, 878.19 KB)

Evaluation of the NSF International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) Program: Portfolio Analysis, Dec. 2019 This report presents (1) an overview of key findings from the literature on international research experiences, (2) a summary of the IRES strategy, (3) a comparison of awarded and declined proposals, (4) a descriptive analysis of the portfolio of IRES awards, (5) a discussion of project implementation activities and outputs, and (6) a set of considerations for ongoing and future evaluation and monitoring efforts. Full Report (PDF, 1003.16 KB)

Study of the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), June 2022 This report presents an exploratory analysis of academic research excellence and competitiveness for EPSCoR using a variety of publicly available data sources. Abstract (PDF, 106.41 KB) | Full Report (PDF, 20.52 MB)

Evaluation of the Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) Program (2014 – 2016), Dec. 2019 This report presents evaluation findings on the contribution of the CCI program to increase knowledge, workforce development, commercialization, and public outreach; the role of the center structures and operations in achieving the program goals; and the effectiveness of the two-phase funding model. Executive Summary (PDF, 1.86 MB) | Full Report (PDF, 8.44 MB)

NSF Rotator Study, June 2022 This report provides a descriptive portrait of Intergovernmental Personnel Act assignees and an assessment of IPA costs compared with federal employee costs. Full Report (PDF, 867.41 KB)

Understanding the Use and Potential Effects of a No-Deadlines Approach, May 2022 This report presents an exploratory application of synthetic control methods to estimate the effect of no-deadlines for proposal submissions on NSF program outcomes, including proposal volume, requested award amount, and reviewer workload and ratings. Full Report (PDF, 2.72 MB)

Convergence Accelerator Summary Report: Descriptive Characteristics from 2019 to 2021 This report provides descriptive statistics on applicants, grantees, and projects for the 2019, 2020, and 2021 cohorts in the Convergence Accelerator program using NSF administrative data. Full Report (PDF, 1.35 MB)

No-Deadlines Synthetic Control and Exploratory Outcomes Analysis and Recommendations for Future Rigorous Evaluation, May 2022 This report showcases the use of synthetic control methods to examine the effects of no-deadlines using NSF administrative data. Full Report (PDF, 1.81 MB)

NSF Capacity Assessment Report, March 2022 This report describes NSF's design, implementation and findings of an integrated assessment of data maturity and capacity for evidence generation and use; and an analysis of ongoing evidence-building activities. Full Report (PDF, 7 MB)