The National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) stands as a beacon for early-career academics in science, engineering, and education. It’s not just a grant; it’s a prestigious career development program designed to propel promising faculty towards leadership in their fields. For those seeking structured pathways to academic excellence, understanding the NSF CAREER program is crucial. Often, academics search for resources like a “Career Development Program Pdf” to guide their planning. While a single PDF can’t encompass all career paths, the NSF CAREER program solicitation document itself serves as a detailed blueprint for one of the most impactful career development opportunities available in academia.
This guide delves into the NSF CAREER program, drawing directly from the official program solicitation NSF 22-586. Consider this your comprehensive resource – even more detailed than a typical “career development program pdf” – to understand if you are eligible, how to apply, and why this program could be the cornerstone of your successful academic journey.
What is the NSF CAREER Program?
The CAREER program is NSF’s most prestigious award for early-career faculty. It’s designed to support individuals who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars, individuals who can seamlessly integrate outstanding research with exceptional education. The program aims to provide sustained support, fostering a trajectory of leadership in both research and education throughout an academic career.
The core mission of the CAREER program is to:
- Support Early-Career Faculty: Provide significant and sustained funding during the crucial early stages of an academic career.
- Integrate Research and Education: Encourage a synergistic approach where research invigorates teaching and education disseminates research findings effectively.
- Develop Academic Leaders: Cultivate faculty who will lead advancements within their departments and organizations, serving as role models for future generations of academics.
- Promote Diversity and Inclusion: NSF actively encourages applications from women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities.
PECASE: Presidential Recognition for CAREER Awardees
An exceptional aspect of the CAREER program is its connection to the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). PECASE is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government upon outstanding early-career scientists and engineers. While individuals cannot directly apply for PECASE, NSF nominates up to 26 CAREER awardees each year for this prestigious recognition.
Selection for PECASE is based on:
- Innovative Research: Groundbreaking research at the frontiers of science, engineering, and technology relevant to the sponsoring agency’s mission.
- Community Service: Demonstrated leadership in science, education, or community outreach.
- Commitment to STEM Equity: Advocacy for diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in STEM.
PECASE elevates the recognition of CAREER awardees, highlighting their potential to become leaders in academic research and education for the 21st century and beyond.
Award Details and Funding
The NSF CAREER program provides substantial financial support to awardees:
- Award Type: Standard or Continuing Grant.
- Estimated Number of Awards: Approximately 500 per year.
- Anticipated Funding: Around $250,000,000 annually (subject to fund availability).
- Minimum Award Size:
- General: A minimum of $400,000 total for 5 years.
- Biological Sciences (BIO), Engineering (ENG), or Office of Polar Programs (OPP): A minimum of $500,000 total for 5 years.
This funding is intended to provide robust support for a 5-year project, enabling PIs to fully dedicate themselves to their research and integrated educational activities.
Eligibility: Are You a CAREER Applicant?
Eligibility for the CAREER program is specific and must be met at the time of the annual deadline. Key criteria include:
- Doctoral Degree: Hold a doctorate in a NSF-supported field.
- Research Focus: Be actively engaged in research within NSF’s supported areas of science, engineering, or education.
- Tenure-Track Position: Hold at least a 50% tenure-track (or equivalent) assistant professor position or equivalent.
- Untenured Status: Be untenured.
- No Prior CAREER Award: Not have received a previous CAREER award.
Tenure-Track Equivalency: For non-tenure-track positions to qualify, they must:
- Be a continuing appointment expected to last the 5-year CAREER grant duration.
- Involve substantial research AND educational responsibilities.
- Align with the applicant’s career goals, job responsibilities, and the department/organization’s mission.
Important Note: Associate Professors or faculty with equivalent appointments, tenured or untenured, are not eligible. Adjunct faculty are also ineligible. No exemptions to these eligibility criteria are granted.
Proposal Preparation: Crafting Your CAREER Project
Preparing a competitive CAREER proposal is a significant undertaking. It requires a well-defined research project integrated with a compelling education plan. The Project Description is the core of your proposal and is limited to 15 pages.
Key components of the Project Description include:
- Research Project Description:
- Clear objectives, methods, and procedures.
- Preliminary data (if available).
- Expected significance of results.
- Education Activities Description:
- Detailed plan for educational activities and their intended impact.
- Alignment with the PI’s career goals and research.
- Integration of Research and Education:
- Explicitly describe the synergy and reciprocal relationship between research and education activities.
- Broader Impacts:
- Beyond education, outline other broader societal benefits of the project.
- Results from Prior NSF Support (if applicable):
- Summarize outcomes of any previous NSF funding.
Departmental Letter: Essential Support
A Departmental Letter from the PI’s department head (or equivalent) is mandatory and proposals without it will be returned without review. This letter is crucial as it demonstrates the department’s commitment to the PI’s career development and the integration of research and education.
The Departmental Letter should:
- Confirm the PI’s eligibility for the CAREER program.
- Affirm departmental support for the proposed research and education activities and their alignment with departmental/organizational goals.
- Describe the relationship between the CAREER project, the PI’s career goals, and the department’s mission.
- Outline how the department will provide mentorship to the PI throughout the CAREER award period and beyond.
Letters of Collaboration: If your project involves significant collaborations, include letters of collaboration adhering to the specified single-sentence format in the solicitation.
PECASE Eligibility Statement: A single-copy document stating “I wish to be considered for the PECASE honorary award” is optional but necessary if you wish to be considered for PECASE.
Proposal Submission and Deadlines
- Submission Methods: Proposals can be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov.
- Deadline: The Full Proposal Deadline is the Fourth Wednesday in July, Annually Thereafter (5:00 p.m. submitting organization’s local time). For 2022, it was July 27, 2022. Check the current solicitation for the exact date each year.
Crucial Advice: Submit your proposal well in advance of the deadline. Technical issues can arise, and late submissions are not accepted unless due to documented system problems.
Review Process and Merit Criteria
NSF employs a rigorous merit review process using two core criteria approved by the National Science Board:
- Intellectual Merit: The potential to advance knowledge and understanding within its field or across different fields.
- Broader Impacts: The potential to benefit society and contribute to desired societal outcomes.
Reviewers evaluate proposals based on these criteria, considering factors such as:
- Potential for Advancing Knowledge and Societal Benefit.
- Creativity and Originality of Proposed Activities.
- Well-reasoned and Organized Project Plan with Assessment Mechanisms.
- Qualifications of the PI and Team.
- Adequacy of Resources.
Both Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts are equally important, and proposals must address both comprehensively.
Award Administration and Reporting
Successful proposals result in an NSF CAREER award, governed by standard NSF award conditions and any specific conditions outlined in the award notice.
Reporting Requirements: Annual and final project reports are required, submitted electronically through Research.gov. These reports detail project accomplishments, participants, publications, and broader impacts. Timely reporting is essential for continued funding eligibility and future NSF proposal reviews.
Agency Contacts and Further Information
For general inquiries about the CAREER program, contact:
- Faculty Early Career program:
- Telephone: (703) 292-5111
- Email: [email protected]
For specific Directorate and Division contacts, and to access the most up-to-date program solicitation and guidelines, visit the NSF CAREER program website: https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/career/
Conclusion: Invest in Your Future with NSF CAREER
The NSF CAREER program is more than just funding; it’s an investment in your potential as a leading academic. By emphasizing the integration of research and education, and by recognizing outstanding early-career faculty through programs like PECASE, NSF is committed to nurturing the next generation of STEM leaders.
If you are an eligible early-career faculty member, exploring the NSF CAREER program is a vital step in your career development. Download the official program solicitation – your detailed “career development program pdf” – from the NSF website and begin crafting your proposal. This program could be the catalyst that propels your academic career to new heights.
