Why are some researchers unhappy with BI?
One of the primary findings of the Broader Impacts Toolbox Workshop was that community attitudes and outcomes regarding the broader-impacts criterion could be improved significantly by emphasizing to researchers the motivation for implementing the broader-impacts criterion, and improving applicant, reviewer and program officer understanding of the criterion to produce more consistent application. A primary concern of researchers is that the lack of clarity regarding broader impacts leads to inconsistent application of the criteria in the merit review process. This feeling will only get stronger the more competitive funding becomes.
