Things to Consider When Developing a PIER Plan

Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) Plans should describe the activities and strategies applicants will incorporate to enhance the scientific and technical merit of the proposed research through efforts that foster inclusive research and learning environments and promote equitable access to research and research careers. Since these plans should be tailored to the proposed research, the Office of Science expects to receive a wide range of ideas and approaches in applicants’ PIER Plans.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to incorporate into their PIER Plans specific actionable tasks that are tailored to the proposed research project; PIER Plans with actionable tasks and milestones tend to be rated higher in the merit review process than plans with generic statements or plans that only reference institutional policies and plans.

In developing tailored and intentional PIER Plans, applicants are encouraged consider one or more of the following areas:

The composition of the project team, including project personnel and partnering institutions and organizations.

This may include, but is not limited to:

The research environment.

This may include, but is not limited to:

  • establishing and cultivating research and work environments that promote mutual respect and professionalism and productivity, where all project personnel feel welcome, safe, supported, and encouraged to make technical contributions to the project;
  • development and/or adoption of laboratory-, community-, or collaboration-specific codes of professional conduct;
  • practices and protocols for ensuring safe conduct of research and personnel safety, especially for research conducted in isolated or remote environments;
  • and/or providing equitable access to research tools and facilities for researchers that need special accommodations.

The implementation of the research project, and scholarly and professional growth of project personnel.

This may include, but is not limited to:

  • distribution of leadership responsibilities among project key personnel;
  • mentoring and/or training opportunities for project personnel;
  • equitable access of project personnel to professional development opportunities;
  • inclusive and equitable plans for recognition on publications, datasets, and presentations;
  • inclusive practices for community engagement and strategic planning meetings or events;
  • active engagement or collaboration with institutional initiatives or initiatives led by scientific professional societies or similar organizations;
  • and/or communication of research goals and results to broader audiences.

Applicants may want to consider the following questions as they develop their PIER Plan:

  • How do the activities proposed in the PIER Plan enhance the scientific and/or technical merit of the proposed research project?

  • How do the proposed activities and strategies support equity and inclusion as an intrinsic element to advancing scientific excellence in the research project?

  • Are the proposed activities and strategies reasonable, actionable, and appropriate for the project scope and project period?

  • Does the proposed research project include a clear strategy for ensuring the safety, including physical and psychological safety, of all participants, including those working in traditional workspaces (e.g., labs, offices), remote or isolated research environments, and/or atypical hours?

  • Are the roles and responsibilities for implementing the PIER Plan fair and equitable and understood by the applicant’s key personnel on the project?

  • Do the applicant and key personnel have demonstrated experience and competencies in carrying out the proposed scope of the PIER Plan that could be emphasized?

  • How are the proposed activities and strategies leveraging institutional resources or professionals, or resources available through scientific professional societies or similar organizations to support project personnel?

  • Is the rationale for the proposed activities and strategies, and their potential contributions to promoting inclusion and equity within the research project, clearly described?

  • Are adequate resources (including budget) requested to reasonably carry out the proposed PIER Plan?

  • Are timelines or milestones for proposed activities and strategies specific and appropriate to allow for reasonable tracking of and reporting on progress?