Evaluation of NSF's Program of Grants for Vertical Integration of Research and Education in the Mathematical Sciences

by Committee to Evaluate the Nsf's Vertically Integrated Grants for Research and Education (Vigre) Prog, Board on Mathematical Sciences and Their Applications, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences

In 1998, the National Science Foundation (NSF) launched a program of Grants for Vertical Integration of Research and Education in the Mathematical Sciences (VIGRE). These grants were designed for institutions with PhD-granting departments in the mathematical sciences, for the purpose of developing high-quality education programs, at all levels, that are vertically integrated with the research activities of these departments. To date, more than 50 departments at 40 institutions have received VIGRE awards.

As requested by NSF, the present volume reviews the goals of the VIGRE program and evaluates how well the program is designed to address those goals. The book considers past and current practices for assessing the VIGRE program; draws tentative conclusions about the program's achievements based on the data collected to date; and evaluates NSF's plans for future data-driven assessments. In addition, critical policy and programmatic changes for the program are identified, with recommendations for how to address these changes. Table of Contents

130 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009