Workshop - writing better NSF education proposals

This workshop presents a framework for developing an idea in engineering education into a project suitable for an NSF education program and then writing a competitive proposal for that project. The workshop begins with strategies for evolving nascent ideas about engineering education into well formulated projects with clear outcomes and goals. Next, an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses in the engineering education proposals submitted in the CCLI Phase 1 competition in 2005 and 2006 is given. This analysis identified the most common strengths and weaknesses cited by the review panels in discussing the proposals. Finally, the workshop leaders discuss key elements of successful projects based on their experience as NSF program directors and present best practices for developing competitive proposals. The workshop is intended for faculty members who are seeking external support for educational research and development projects, particularly through the NSF CCLI program. Participants will develop a better understanding of the role that reviewers play in the proposal decision process, the factors that reviewers consider in evaluating proposals and approaches for anticipating and responding to these factors.