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

July 27, 2022 | July 22, 2026

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

Supports early-career faculty in building a foundation for leadership in research and education integration across NSF-supported fields.

--- ## Description The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious award for early-career faculty. It aims to support those who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education, and to advance the mission of their department or organization. The program encourages creative, integrative research and education plans that will lay the groundwork for a lifetime of contributions to research, teaching, and broader impacts. The program is open to eligible early-career faculty at U.S. institutions, with a particular encouragement for applications from women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities. Additionally, outstanding recent CAREER awardees may be considered for nomination to the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor for early-career STEM researchers in the U.S. --- ## Due Dates - July 27, 2022: Full proposal deadline (original/posted) - July 22, 2026: Full proposal deadline (next annual cycle; due by 5:00 p.m. local time; fourth Wednesday in July annually) All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates. --- ## Funding Amount - Minimum award: $400,000 total (5 years) for most directorates - Minimum award: $500,000 total (5 years) for proposals to Biological Sciences (BIO), Engineering (ENG), or Office of Polar Programs (OPP) - Estimated total program funding: $250,000,000 annually - Approximately 500 new awards are made each year - No cost sharing or matching required - CAREER awards are eligible for supplemental funding; PECASE is honorary and does not provide additional funds --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible Organizations:** - U.S.-based accredited two- and four-year institutions of higher education (including community colleges), acting on behalf of their faculty - U.S.-based independent non-profit, non-academic organizations (e.g., museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies) associated with educational or research activities - International branch campuses of U.S. institutions must justify project benefit and need for non-U.S. location - **Principal Investigator (PI) Requirements:** - Hold a doctoral degree in an NSF-supported field - Be untenured and in a tenure-track (or tenure-track-equivalent) assistant professor (or equivalent) position at least 50% full-time at a CAREER-eligible institution - Have not previously received a CAREER award - May submit only one CAREER proposal per annual competition, and may participate in no more than three CAREER competitions - No co-PIs permitted - **Additional:** - Departmental letter required confirming eligibility and institutional support - No exemptions from eligibility criteria --- ## Application Process - **Submission Platforms:** Proposals may be submitted via [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov) or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov) - **Required Documents:** - Departmental letter (required; up to 2 pages) - Project description (up to 15 pages), integrating research and education plans - Biographical sketch (per NSF PAPPG guidelines) - Budget and justification (5-year budget, including justification) - Letters of collaboration (if applicable, strictly formatted) - PECASE eligibility statement (optional, for those wishing to be considered) - **Proposal Preparation:** Follow the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide ([PAPPG](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg)) and the [CAREER solicitation](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/career-faculty-early-career-development-program/nsf22-586/solicitation) - **Review Criteria:** Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, plus program-specific requirements --- ## Additional Information - Only one proposal per PI per year; proposals with co-PIs will be returned without review - Departmental letter must confirm tenure-track (or equivalent) status and institutional commitment to PI’s career development - No letters of support or recommendation permitted (except required collaboration format) - Late proposals are not accepted; early submission is strongly encouraged - For non-tenure-track faculty, additional documentation is required to establish eligibility --- ## External Links - [NSF CAREER Program Solicitation and Details](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/career-faculty-early-career-development-program/nsf22-586/solicitation) - [NSF CAREER Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/career/) - [NSF PAPPG (Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide)](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg) - [Grants.gov Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/339594) - [CAREER Division/Directorate Contacts](https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/career/contacts.jsp) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |---------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Program Inquiries | [nsf-ccc@nsf.gov](mailto:nsf-ccc@nsf.gov) · (703) 292-5111 | | CAREER Contacts | [CAREER Division/Directorate Contacts](https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/career/contacts.jsp) | | Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | | NSF Information Center | 1-703-292-5111 | | NSF General Contact | [info@nsf.gov](mailto:info@nsf.gov) | | NSF Contact Page | [https://new.nsf.gov/about/contact-us](https://new.nsf.gov/about/contact-us) |

Faculty Early Career Development Program

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