Faculty Early Career Development Program

The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a prestigious initiative of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) designed to support early-career faculty who exhibit potential to serve as academic role models in both research and education. The program encourages faculty members to integrate educational goals into their research efforts and vice versa, fostering a career trajectory centered on excellence in both realms. CAREER proposals must demonstrate how the PI plans to advance knowledge in their field and contribute broader societal impacts, particularly through educational activities aligned with their research. The CAREER award is available to early-career, tenure-track or tenure-track-equivalent faculty at U.S. accredited institutions of higher education or non-profit, non-academic U.S.-based organizations directly associated with research and education, such as museums, observatories, and professional societies. Faculty must hold a doctoral degree, have not received a previous CAREER award, and must be untenured at the time of application. Each PI may only submit one CAREER proposal per annual competition and may participate in no more than three such competitions. Co-PIs are not permitted. The award offers a minimum of $400,000 over five years, with specific directorates like Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Polar Programs requiring a minimum of $500,000. The anticipated number of awards is approximately 500 per year, with a total estimated program funding of $250 million. The program supports both standard and continuing grants. Proposals should include a detailed plan integrating research and education, a departmental letter of support confirming eligibility and alignment with institutional goals, and a PECASE eligibility statement if the applicant wishes to be considered for that honorary award. Applications must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov by 5:00 p.m. local time on the fourth Wednesday of July annually, with the upcoming deadline falling on July 23, 2025. Letters of Intent or preliminary proposals are not required. NSF strongly recommends early submission to address any compliance or technical issues. Proposals must be fully compliant with the current NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Evaluation of proposals is based on NSF’s two merit review criteria: Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. Reviewers assess the potential of proposed activities to advance knowledge, benefit society, explore creative and original ideas, and the qualifications of the PI to carry out the work. Proposals may be co-reviewed across NSF directorates if interdisciplinary. Additionally, NSF encourages integration of international dimensions, entrepreneurship, industry collaboration, and educational innovation. For questions, applicants may contact the Faculty Early Career program at nsf-ccc@nsf.gov or call (703) 292-5111. Program-specific contacts are also listed by division at https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/career/contacts.jsp.