[U.S. National Science Foundation](https://www.nsf.gov)

July 27, 2022 | July 22, 2026

Minimum $400,000 over 5 years (most directorates); $500,000 minimum for BIO, ENG, or OPP; approx. $250M total program funding/year.

Prestigious NSF awards supporting early-career faculty who integrate research and education in science and engineering.

Only one CAREER proposal per PI per year; max three CAREER competitions per PI.

--- ## Description The NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program offers the National Science Foundation's most prestigious awards for early-career faculty. The program aims to support those who demonstrate the potential to serve as academic role models in both research and education, and to lead advances in their disciplines. CAREER awards provide stable support for faculty to build a foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research. The program encourages proposals from women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities. Each year, NSF also selects nominees from recent CAREER awardees for the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest U.S. government honor for early-career scientists and engineers. --- ## Due Dates - July 27, 2022: Full proposal deadline (original) - July 22, 2026: Full proposal deadline (current/next; fourth Wednesday in July, annually recurring) _All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates._ --- ## Funding Amount - **Minimum award:** $400,000 total over 5 years (all directorates except BIO, ENG, OPP) - **BIO, ENG, or OPP proposals:** Minimum $500,000 over 5 years - **Estimated total program funding:** ~$250 million annually - **Number of awards:** Approximately 500 per year - **Cost sharing:** Not required Awards are eligible for supplemental funding. The PECASE is an honorary award and does not provide additional funds. --- ## Eligibility - **Who may apply:** - U.S. accredited two- and four-year institutions of higher education (including community colleges), acting on behalf of their faculty - U.S.-based non-profit, non-academic organizations directly associated with educational or research activities (e.g., museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies) - **PI requirements (as of the deadline):** - Hold a doctoral degree in a field supported by NSF - Engaged in research in an NSF-supported area - Hold at least a 50% tenure-track (or tenure-track-equivalent) assistant professor (or equivalent) position - Untenured - Not have previously received a CAREER award - May submit only one CAREER proposal per annual competition - Maximum of three CAREER competition participations per PI (proposals not reviewed do not count toward this limit) - **Departmental letter:** Required to confirm eligibility and institutional support - **No co-PIs allowed** --- ## Application Process - **Submission platforms:** [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov) or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov) - **Proposal contents:** - Project description (max 15 pages) integrating research and education plans - Departmental letter (required, max 2 pages) - Biographical sketch (per NSF guidelines) - Budget and justification (5 pages max) - Letters of collaboration (if applicable, strict format) - PECASE eligibility statement (optional, single-copy document) - **No preliminary proposals or letters of intent required** - **Compliance:** Proposals not meeting eligibility or formatting requirements will be returned without review Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the [CAREER proposal submission timeline](https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/proposal_timeline.pdf) and to contact their NSF program officer regarding budget and discipline-specific questions. --- ## Additional Information - **Award types:** Standard or continuing grants - **Reporting:** Annual and final reports required via Research.gov - **Transfer:** Awards may be transferred if the PI moves to another eligible institution with a qualifying position - **PECASE:** Nomination-only; all NSF PECASE awardees are CAREER awardees --- ## External Links - [NSF CAREER Program Solicitation & Details](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/career-faculty-early-career-development-program/nsf22-586/solicitation) - [NSF CAREER Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/career-faculty-early-career-development-program) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) - [NSF CAREER Directorate and Division Contacts](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/career-faculty-early-career-development-program/updates/109727) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/339594) --- ## Contact Information | Area | Contact Details | |------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Program Inquiries | [CAREER directorate and division contacts](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/career-faculty-early-career-development-program/updates/109727) | | NSF Information Center | 1-703-292-5111 | | Grants.gov Support | 1-800-518-4726 / [support@grants.gov](mailto:support@grants.gov) | | Research.gov Help Desk | 1-800-673-6188 / [rgov@nsf.gov](mailto:rgov@nsf.gov) | | NSF grants.gov support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) |

Faculty Early Career Development Program

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