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Undue concentration of research and education: multi-criteria decision approach to assess jurisdiction eligibility for NSF funding

Author

Listed:
  • Jeffrey M. Keisler

    (University of Massachusetts Boston)

  • Christy M. Foran

    (U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center)

  • Maija M. Kuklja

    (University of Maryland
    National Science Foundation)

  • Igor Linkov

    (U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center)

Abstract

Research and education tend to concentrate in specific geographical areas, while many jurisdictions receive limited federal research funding. This has resulted in reduced opportunity for students as well as limited ability of science to influence solving problems at the jurisdiction level. The National Science Foundation’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) was intended to address the “undue concentration of research and education” by providing direct funding to improve research infrastructure, hire researchers, develop outreach, and to enhance local research capacity. Despite many successful outcomes attributed to EPSCoR, the aim and the execution of the program have generated controversy. Decision analytic tools can provide a systematic approach to EPSCoR prioritization that improves transparency and addresses the program’s intent. The wording of NSF’s mission and EPSCoR legislation suggest the intent of maximizing NSF’s benefit to the nation by directly supporting scientific research product across all jurisdictions and by supporting development of competitive scientific capabilities within particular jurisdictions. These components may be quantified via data-driven metrics producing indicators of ultimate benefit. Using illustrative scenarios within a multi-criteria decision model, we explore how such decision models may generate insights and how their guidance compares with current eligibility determinations.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeffrey M. Keisler & Christy M. Foran & Maija M. Kuklja & Igor Linkov, 2017. "Undue concentration of research and education: multi-criteria decision approach to assess jurisdiction eligibility for NSF funding," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 37(3), pages 367-378, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:envsyd:v:37:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s10669-017-9650-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10669-017-9650-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yonghong Wu, 2009. "NSF's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR): Subsidizing academic research or state budgets?," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(3), pages 479-495.
    2. Alec Morton & Jeffrey M. Keisler & Ahti Salo, 2016. "Multicriteria Portfolio Decision Analysis for Project Selection," International Series in Operations Research & Management Science, in: Salvatore Greco & Matthias Ehrgott & José Rui Figueira (ed.), Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis, edition 2, chapter 0, pages 1269-1298, Springer.
    3. Margaret H. Kurth & Sabrina Larkin & Jeffrey M. Keisler & Igor Linkov, 2017. "Trends and applications of multi-criteria decision analysis: use in government agencies," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 37(2), pages 134-143, June.
    4. Wu, Yonghong, 2010. "Tackling undue concentration of federal research funding: An empirical assessment on NSF's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(6), pages 835-841, July.
    5. Jeremy L. Hall, 2007. "Developing Historical 50-State Indices of Innovation Capacity and Commercialization Capacity," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 21(2), pages 107-123, May.
    6. Julia Melkers & Yonghong Wu, 2009. "Evaluating the Improved Research Capacity of EPSCoR States: R&D Funding and Collaborative Networks in the NSF EPSCoR Program," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 26(6), pages 761-782, November.
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