Mid-Career Advancement
Mid-Career Advancement program offers support to mid-career scientists/engineers for enhancing research trajectory, fostering diversity, and enabling interdisciplinary partnerships across science fields.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: March 1, 2027 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Three-year support: up to 6.5 months of PI salary plus fringe benefits, up to $100,000 in other direct costs, and partner support
Summary: Supports mid-career scientists and engineers through protected research time, new skills, and mutually beneficial mentored partnerships.
Key Information: PIs generally need at least three years at Associate Professor rank or equivalent; a BIO/GEO pilot also permits Full Professors at PUIs.
Description
NSF’s Mid-Career Advancement (MCA) program helps established scientists and engineers substantially advance their research programs and career trajectories. It provides protected time, resources, and opportunities to learn new skills through mutually beneficial partnerships, typically outside the PI’s home institution. The program addresses research constraints arising from teaching, service, and other responsibilities at mid-career.
Participating programs span Biological Sciences, Geosciences, Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences, and STEM Education. Partnerships outside the PI’s discipline or subdiscipline are encouraged but not required. MCA encourages research that brings new insights to existing problems or makes new questions accessible through cutting-edge methods or expertise. Applicants must demonstrate that the support would enable substantial scientific and career advancement unlikely without the award.
