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Note: The following program summary is for informational purposes only. Always review the most recent version of the sponsor’s full announcement to verify that the deadline and requirements have not changed. 

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The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation's most prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization. Activities pursued by early-career faculty should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research. NSF encourages submission of CAREER proposals from early-career faculty at all CAREER-eligible organizations and especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities to apply.

Eligibility 

Proposers must meet ALL of the following eligibility requirements as of the annual deadline:

• Hold a doctoral degree in a field supported by NSF;
• Be engaged in research in an area of science, engineering, or education supported by NSF;
• Hold at least a 50% tenure-track (or tenure-track-equivalent) position as an assistant professor (or equivalent title);
• Be untenured; and have not previously received a CAREER award. (Prior or concurrent Federal support for other types of awards for nonduplicative research does not preclude eligibility.)

A PI may submit only one CAREER proposal per annual competition. In addition, a PI may not participate in more than three CAREER competitions. Proposals that are not reviewed (i.e., are withdrawn before review or are returned without review) do not count toward the three-competition limit.

Award Info 

The CAREER award, including indirect costs, is expected to total a minimum of $400,000 for the 5-year duration, with the following exceptions: Awards for proposals to the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO), the Directorate for Engineering (ENG), or the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) are expected to total a minimum of $500,000 for the 5-year duration. CAREER awards are eligible for supplemental funding as described in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG).

When planning a CAREER proposal, PIs are encouraged to contact their disciplinary Program Officer to discuss topical alignment with the program, proposed budgets, and typical funding levels for their discipline and also review the list of recent CAREER awards made in their discipline additional insights.

Application deadline 

2022: July 27 - Deadline Date 

Fourth Wednesday in July, Annually Thereafter 

Program Page with Solicitation, FAQ, and Summaries of Recent Awards: