Faculty Early Career Development Program

The Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER), administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), represents one of the most prestigious funding opportunities available to early-career faculty in the United States. The program provides a foundational investment in junior faculty who have the potential to become leaders in both research and education. It is designed to support those who integrate these two core elements of academic life in a synergistic and innovative manner. The CAREER award also includes a pathway to be considered for the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), which is a prestigious honorary recognition initiated by federal agencies and awarded by the White House. The program is open to faculty members at U.S.-based institutions of higher education or non-profit, non-academic organizations who hold a doctoral degree, are engaged in NSF-supported research, occupy at least a 50% tenure-track (or equivalent) position, and are untenured at the time of application. The NSF emphasizes that proposals must include a strong integration of research and education plans. The project must reflect not only the career development goals of the applicant but also align with the mission of the applicant’s institution. The proposal must include a detailed project description, budget justification, and a Departmental Letter certifying the eligibility and institutional commitment to the applicant. The program issues approximately 500 awards each year, and the anticipated annual funding level is around $250 million. Each award is expected to be a minimum of $400,000 over five years. However, proposals submitted to the Directorate for Biological Sciences, Directorate for Engineering, or the Office of Polar Programs must request a minimum of $500,000. For the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering, budgets are expected to support one month of PI salary, one graduate student, and two trips per year. Proposals may be submitted through either Research.gov or Grants.gov, and full adherence to the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide is required. CAREER proposals are reviewed under NSF's standard merit review criteria, which include Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. Applicants must clearly articulate how their work will advance knowledge and benefit society. All proposals must include a project description of up to 15 pages, detailing research and educational components, and must demonstrate institutional support through the Departmental Letter. Proposals may include activities such as course development, mentoring, curriculum enhancement, public engagement, or outreach to underrepresented groups. The next proposal deadline is the fourth Wednesday in July each year, with the upcoming cycle due on July 23, 2025. This deadline is consistent for all Directorates, and late submissions are not accepted. NSF recommends initiating the application process well in advance to accommodate any registration or submission issues, particularly for institutions or PIs new to NSF systems. Contact information for the program includes a general email address (nsf-ccc@nsf.gov) and phone number (703-292-5111), with further contact details by discipline available on the CAREER web page. This grant is a critical opportunity for early-career academics to build a sustainable research and education trajectory. It demands a deep institutional commitment and a comprehensive proposal that bridges cutting-edge research with educational innovation. While the PECASE award cannot be applied for directly, CAREER recipients may be nominated by NSF based on the quality and impact of their work. Proposals must be carefully aligned with NSF’s mission and demonstrate long-term potential for leadership in academia.

Submit early to avoid system errors; contact program officers for guidance; tailor proposals to NSF mission and Directorate priorities.