Part 2 Writing NSF Grant Proposals Video Series: Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts

A few weeks ago, I gave a talk at the University of Hartford about writing successful NSF grant proposals. I've written many proposals over the years, made plenty of mistakes, learned some things, and am still learning.

Part 1 covered getting started fundamentals: the parts and pieces of an NSF proposal, practical writing strategies to help you secure funding, and an introduction to Intellectual Merit (IM) and Broader Impacts (BI).

Part 2 digs deep into Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts: what they mean, how reviewers evaluate them, and practical writing strategies to address both effectively.

Intellectual Merit covers whether your proposed activity can advance knowledge within its field or across different fields. Think of it as the contribution part of potential publications; it addresses the work itself and its findings.

Broader Impacts addresses how your work will benefit society. NSF provides examples: improving STEM education, increasing public scientific literacy, developing a diverse STEM workforce, building partnerships, improving national security, increasing U.S. economic competitiveness, and enhancing research infrastructure.

Here’s Part 2:

Each segment in the series addresses a specific aspect of proposal writing, from early planning questions to building budgets. Watch for Part 3, which will cover additional components of a complete and competitive NSF proposal.

The presentation series reflects conditions as of October 7, 2025. NSF programs and guidelines change, so verify current requirements for your program of interest before and during your writing.

Disclaimer: These opinions and advice are mine! They reflect my experience writing proposals, not official NSF guidance or institutional policy. What worked for me may need adjustment for your field or project.