Data Collection Activities
“Data collection efforts from S-STEM Resource and Evaluation Center (S-STEM-REC): NSF has awarded an S-STEM Resource and Evaluation Center tasked with collecting and synthesizing outcomes and achievements of Track 1, 2, and 3 projects nationwide. Projects are required to collaborate with the S-STEM-REC initiatives to showcase the impact of S-STEM funding.”
2026 Data Collection Schedule
2026 PI Bootcamp Survey
Audience: 2026 PI Bootcamp attendees. All attendees will receive an email from AAAS S-STEM REC noreply@qemailserver.com.
Timeframe: January 30-February 14
Purpose: This survey from the S-STEM REC evaluator helps assess the bootcamp and informs the S-STEM REC team how to better prepare new PIs to effectively implement their projects.
Respondent Benefits: Assess the bootcamp content and shape future bootcamps.
S-STEM Scholars Survey
Audience: Scholars of active S-STEM Projects
Timeframe: March 2-April 6
Purpose: The American Institutes for Research (AIR), in collaboration with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), is conducting this survey to learn about scholars’ experiences with their institution’s S-STEM project. The survey seeks to understand how S-STEM supports influence academic confidence, research skills, career preparation, and sense of belonging; identify barriers and facilitators to participation; and assess the perceived helpfulness of project activities.
Respondent Benefits: The data is incorporated into an Outcomes and Impacts report for S-STEM Projects to utilize, NSF, and the Science & Technology Congressional Committee that oversees the NSF. Findings will inform improvements to the S-STEM program and contribute to a broader understanding of its impact on scholars’ educational and career outcomes.
S-STEM Principal Investigators Experience Survey
Audience: PIs of active S-STEM Projects. All active project PI will receive an email from AIR
Timeframe: February 2-March 6
Purpose: The American Institutes for Research (AIR), in collaboration with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), is conducting this survey to gather insights from Principal Investigators about their experiences implementing S-STEM projects. The survey aims to understand the strategies, activities, and supports provided to scholars; identify barriers to participation; and assess how these efforts influence scholars’ educational experiences and degree attainment in STEM fields.
Respondent Benefits: The data is incorporated into an Outcomes and Impacts report for S-STEM Projects, the NSF, and the Science & Technology Congressional Committee that oversees the NSF. Completing the survey helps projects (in part) to fulfill their data dissemination obligations. Findings will inform continuous improvement of the S-STEM program and contribute to a broader understanding of the program’s impact.
S-STEM Scholars Interviews
Audience: Scholars of active S-STEM Projects
Timeframe: April 13-May 29
Purpose: This round of follow-up interviews with a diverse, representative sample of scholars as they progress through their programs to understand perceptions, experiences, and participation in their programs, and career trajectories upon degree completion. These interviews build on the conversations initiated in Fall 2025 to capture changes and developments over time.
Respondent Benefits: The data is incorporated into an Outcomes and Impacts report for S-STEM Projects, the NSF, and the Science & Technology Congressional Committee that oversees the NSF.
S-STEM Project Extant Data
Audience: PIs of active S-STEM Projects
Timeframe: June 15-August 17
Purpose: Program and scholar-level data from all active S-STEM grant programs, including: demographics and degree attainment, postsecondary and career outcomes, and cataloging evidence-based practices.
Respondent Benefits: The data is incorporated into an Outcomes and Impacts report for S-STEM Projects, the NSF, and the Science & Technology Congressional Committee that oversees the NSF. Completing the survey allows projects to (in part) fulfill their obligations of data dissemination.
2026 Deep Dive Survey
Audience: PIs of active S-STEM Projects. This year’s deep dive survey is incorporated into the Scholars and PI surveys from AIR.
Timeframe: February 2-March 6
Purpose: This year’s deep dive is on the barriers and effective practices for getting S-STEM scholars to attend/participate in S-STEM project activities (e.g., mentoring, cohort building, seminars, etc.).
Respondent Benefits: Completing the survey allows projects to (in part) fulfill their obligations of data dissemination. In addition, the data goes into the annual deep dive reports which are free for all to read and help projects utilize effective empirically based practices to better serve their scholars.
2026 S-STEM REC Scholars & PI Meeting Survey
Audience: 2026 Scholars & PI Meeting attendees. All attendees will receive an email from AAAS S-STEM REC noreply@qemailserver.com.
Timeframe: October 11-30
Purpose: This survey from the S-STEM REC evaluator helps assess the meeting and informs the S-STEM REC team how to provide attendees with the most valuable experiences possible at future meetings.
Respondent Benefits: Shape the content of future meetings.
2026 S-STEM REC Community Survey
Audience: All persons that substantially interact with the S-STEM REC
Timeframe: October 11-30
Purpose: This survey (from the S-STEM REC evaluator) helps assess all the outputs the S-STEM REC team provides and informs the team on how to better support the S-STEM community in the future.
Respondent Benefits: Shape the content and outputs of the S-STEM REC.
