NSF INCLUDES - Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) Planning Grant: HBCU Business and STEM Innovation Network

这项NSF INCLUDES -创新伙伴关系规划拨款由两个NSF项目资助：a)全国工程和科学领域未被充分代表的发现者学习者社区的NSF包容性（NSF INCLUDES），这是一项全面的国家倡议，旨在通过关注多样性、包容性和扩大STEM的大规模参与来增强美国在发现和创新方面的领导地位；b)创新伙伴关系（PFI），该计划的目标由2017年美国创新与竞争力法案（S.3084 - 114国会；第602节）规定。转化研究补助金)。PFI为来自NSF资助的所有科学和工程学科的研究人员提供机会，进行转化研究和技术开发，促进合作伙伴关系，加速从实验室到市场的发现，以实现社会效益。这项计划拨款的目标是让传统黑人学院和大学（HBCUs）参与STEM创新和创业，以及更广泛的学术界和STEM相关行业；并通过提供最佳方法、活动和实施策略，开发一个网络，作为STEM创新和创业的高效资源。这项工作将利用NSF INCLUDES协作基础设施的共同努力、愿景、目标和度量要素：1)开发和建立一个专注于提供战略和最佳实践的hbcu协作网络，以加强业务创新和经济发展；(2)建立对当前关于hbcu STEM创新创业基础设施和能力建设的研究、模型和文献差距的基线理解；(3)在HBCUs建立机构能力建设、师资力量和围绕创新创业的战略规划的最佳实践；(4)在学术和专业上，提高在STEM领域招聘、留住和提升URM学生的效率。为了实现上述目标，该项目将努力在hbcu、行业和非营利利益相关者之间建立一个围绕创新和创业的生态系统。为了发展这一生态系统，我们将1)对目前从事STEM创新和创业的hbcu进行全国性评估；2)为所有合作伙伴建立合作协议；3)在2021年春季和秋季与合作伙伴举办两次虚拟研讨会；全年每季度开会一次。该基金将建立新的合作伙伴关系，旨在通过以下方式支持和促进hbcu的STEM创业和创新发展：(a)创建一个平台，促进hbcu参与国家的科学和工程创新企业；(b)就在HBCU校园内创造和维持创业环境的最佳实践向各利益相关方通报和参与；(c)为HBCU领导人制定指导方针和框架，以便在他们尊敬的机构开发STEM创业项目和课程。hbcu不仅是入学中心和高质量学位毕业生的生产者，而且从本质上讲，是大多数非裔美国人教育经历的支柱。该网络将促进当前NSF INCLUDES获奖者之间的对话、合作和新的联系，这些获奖者致力于扩大STEM创新和创业的参与，以及更广泛的学术、行业和非营利STEM社区。支持和加强hbcu培养多样化的创业创新者将提供更广泛的宝贵资源网络，从而增强科学和技术知识，并增加国家有能力的、训练有素的STEM企业家的管道。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This NSF INCLUDES - Partnerships for Innovation planning grant is funded by two NSF programs: a) NSF Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (NSF INCLUDES), a comprehensive national initiative to enhance U.S. leadership in discoveries and innovations by focusing on diversity, inclusion and broadening participation in STEM at scale; and b) Partnerships for Innovation (PFI), a program which goals are set forth by the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act of 2017 (S.3084 — 114th Congress; Sec. 602. Translational Research Grants). PFI offers researchers from all disciplines of science and engineering funded by NSF the opportunity to perform translational research and technology development, catalyze partnerships and accelerate the transition of discoveries from the laboratory to the marketplace for societal benefit.The goals of this planning grant are to engage Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) working on STEM innovation and entrepreneurship as well as the broader academic community and STEM related industries; and to develop a network that serves as a high- performing resource of STEM innovation and entrepreneurship by providing best approaches, activities, and implementation strategies. This work will utilize the shared efforts and vision, goals, and metric elements of the NSF INCLUDES collaborative infrastructure to: 1) develop and establish a collaborative network of HBCUs focused on providing strategies and best practices to enhance business innovation and economic development; (2) establish a baseline understanding of the current research, models, and gaps in the literature regarding STEM innovation and entrepreneurship infrastructure and capacity building at HBCUs; (3) establish best practices for institutional capacity-building, faculty, and strategic planning around innovation and entrepreneurship at HBCUs; and (4) enhance the effectiveness of recruiting, retaining, and advancing URM students in STEM fields – academically and professionally.To reach the goals stated above, the project will endeavor to create an ecosystem between HBCUs, industry, and non-profit stakeholders around innovation and entrepreneurship. To develop this ecosystem we will 1) perform a national assessment of HBCUs currently engaged in STEM innovation and entrepreneurship; 2) establish a cooperative agreement for all partners involved; 3) hold two virtual workshops with partners during the spring and fall of 2021; and 4) meet quarterly throughout the year. This grant will create new partnerships aimed at supporting and increasing STEM entrepreneurship and innovation development at HBCUs by: (a) creating a platform to advance participation of HBCUs in the nation's science and engineering innovation enterprise; (b) informing and engaging various stakeholders on best practices for creating and sustaining an entrepreneurial environment on HBCU campuses; and (c) creating guidelines and a framework for HBCU leaders to develop STEM entrepreneurial programs and courses at their respected institution. HBCUs are not only access centers and the producers of graduates with quality degrees, but in essence, the backbone of a majority of African American educational experiences. This network will foster conversation, collaboration and new connections among the current NSF INCLUDES awardees working on broadening participation in STEM innovation and entrepreneurship as well as the broader academic, industry, and nonprofit STEM community. Supporting and strengthening HBCUs to produce diverse entrepreneurial innovators will provide a wider network of valuable resources, thereby enhancing scientific and technological knowledge and increasing the national pipeline of enabled, well-trained STEM entrepreneurs.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.