The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers the Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER), one of its most prestigious awards. This program, known also as Career Program 17, supports early-career faculty who demonstrate the potential to be academic role models in research and education. It aims to foster leadership within their departments and organizations, encouraging a lifetime commitment to integrating education and research. The NSF strongly encourages applications from women, underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities across all CAREER-eligible institutions.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the NSF CAREER program, based on the Program Solicitation NSF 17-537, detailing crucial aspects such as deadlines, eligibility criteria, proposal preparation, and review processes.
Key Updates and Important Information for Career Program 17
It’s important to note some revisions and key pieces of information for applicants of career program 17:
Eligibility Revisions
Eligibility requirements have been updated to clarify the necessary early-career status of applicants. It is crucial for potential applicants to carefully review the eligibility section to ensure they meet all criteria before preparing their proposals.
Support for Senior Personnel
The program now permits budget allocation for senior personnel other than the Principal Investigator (PI), provided their role is limited and collaborative. This support can be included in the proposal budget or that of a subrecipient, offering flexibility for projects that benefit from specific expertise.
Proposal Due Dates
The deadlines for proposal submissions are structured by directorate, ensuring a balanced review process across different scientific domains. Here are the specific deadlines for career program 17:
| Directorate | 2017 Due Dates | 2018 Due Dates | 2019 Due Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO, CISE, EHR | July 19, 2017 | July 18, 2018 | July 17, 2019 |
| ENG | July 20, 2017 | July 19, 2018 | July 18, 2019 |
| GEO, MPS, SBE | July 21, 2017 | July 20, 2018 | July 19, 2019 |
Note: All proposals must be submitted by 5 p.m. submitter’s local time on the respective deadline dates. Applicants should always refer to the most recent NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) for the most up-to-date guidelines.
Program Overview of the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program
The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program, a flagship initiative of the NSF, is designed to support early-career faculty members in developing their careers as both outstanding researchers and educators. It is a Foundation-wide program, reflecting NSF’s commitment to integrating research and education.
CAREER Program Synopsis
The CAREER program is renowned for offering the NSF’s most prestigious awards to early-career faculty. It recognizes individuals who are not only committed to cutting-edge research but also to excellence in teaching and learning. Career program 17 and subsequent iterations aim to:
- Support early-career faculty in establishing and advancing their research agendas.
- Encourage the integration of research and education in their work.
- Foster their roles as academic leaders and role models.
Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)
An additional honor associated with the CAREER program is the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). PECASE is the highest recognition bestowed by the U.S. government to outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their research careers.
- NSF nominates candidates for PECASE from the most meritorious recent CAREER awardees.
- Selection criteria for PECASE include:
- Innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology relevant to NSF’s mission.
- Community service demonstrated through scientific leadership, education, or outreach.
- Individuals cannot directly apply for PECASE; they are nominated based on their CAREER award achievements.
- PECASE awards aim to:
- Promote innovation in science and technology.
- Increase awareness of STEM careers.
- Recognize the scientific missions of participating agencies.
- Strengthen connections between fundamental research and national goals.
- Highlight the importance of science and technology for the nation’s future.
Each year, NSF selects up to twenty nominees from PECASE-eligible CAREER awardees who are likely to become leaders in academic research and education in the future. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy makes the final selection and announcement of PECASE recipients.
Award and Eligibility Details for Career Program 17
Understanding the award details and eligibility criteria is crucial for any faculty member considering applying for career program 17.
Award Information
- Anticipated Award Type: Standard Grant or Continuing Grant.
- Estimated Number of Awards: Approximately 450 per year.
- Anticipated Total Funding: Approximately $222,000,000 annually. This amount is approximate and subject to the availability of funds.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply for Career Program 17?
Who May Submit Proposals:
Proposals for career program 17 may only be submitted by:
- Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs):
- Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in the U.S. and with a campus in the U.S. acting on behalf of their faculty members.
- For international branch campuses of U.S. IHEs, proposals must justify the benefits of activities at the international campus and explain why the project cannot be conducted at the U.S. campus.
- Non-profit, Non-academic Organizations:
- Independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies, and similar U.S.-based organizations associated with educational or research activities.
Who May Serve as Principal Investigator (PI):
To be eligible as a PI for career program 17, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Limit on Submissions: A PI can submit only one CAREER proposal per annual competition.
- Competition Limit: A PI cannot participate in more than three CAREER competitions in total. Proposals withdrawn or returned without review do not count towards this limit.
Detailed PI Eligibility Requirements:
Proposers must fulfill all of the following eligibility requirements to apply for career program 17:
- Doctoral Degree: Hold a doctoral degree in a field supported by NSF by the relevant directorate’s deadline for CAREER proposals.
- Research Engagement: Be actively engaged in research within an area of science, engineering, or education that NSF supports.
- Tenure-Track Position: Be employed in a tenure-track (or tenure-track-equivalent) position as an assistant professor (or equivalent title) by October 1 after proposal submission.
- Untenured Status: Be untenured as of October 1 following the proposal submission.
- No Prior CAREER Award: Must not have previously received a CAREER award. Prior or concurrent federal support for other non-duplicative research awards does not affect eligibility.
Tenure-Track Equivalency:
For positions considered tenure-track-equivalent, they must meet all of these conditions:
- Continuing Appointment: The appointment is expected to last for the five-year duration of the CAREER grant.
- Substantial Responsibilities: The appointment includes significant research and educational responsibilities.
- Alignment with Career Goals: The proposed project aligns with the employee’s career goals, job responsibilities, and the mission of their department or organization.
The Departmental Letter, a required supplementary document, must affirm the tenure-track equivalency for non-tenure-track faculty and convincingly demonstrate how the appointment meets these requirements.
Ineligibility:
- Associate Professors or faculty with equivalent appointments, tenured or untenured, are not eligible.
- Adjunct Faculty or equivalent appointments are also ineligible.
- No exemptions from these eligibility criteria will be granted.
PECASE Eligibility:
- PECASE nominees must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or U.S. permanent residents by the time of nomination.
- Only recent CAREER awardees are considered for PECASE nomination by NSF.
- Individuals who have received PECASE awards from other agencies may be eligible for CAREER but cannot be nominated by NSF for another PECASE award.
Preparing and Submitting Your Career Program 17 Proposal
The proposal preparation and submission process for career program 17 requires careful attention to detail and adherence to NSF guidelines.
Proposal Preparation Instructions
Proposals for career program 17 can be submitted via FastLane, Research.gov, or Grants.gov, following the guidelines in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG).
Key Components of a Full Proposal:
- Cover Sheet:
- Program Solicitation Number: Select the CAREER program solicitation number.
- NSF Unit of Consideration: Choose at least one specific disciplinary program for proposal consideration. Refer to the NSF Guide to Programs for assistance.
- Project Title: Begin with “CAREER:” followed by an informative title.
- Co-PIs: Co-PIs are not permitted on the Cover Sheet.
- Project Description (Maximum 15 pages):
- Detailed description of the proposed research project, including:
- Preliminary data (if applicable).
- Specific objectives.
- Methods and procedures.
- Expected significance of results.
- Description of proposed educational activities and their intended impact.
- Explanation of the integration or synergy between research and education activities.
- Results of prior NSF support, if applicable.
- Detailed description of the proposed research project, including:
- References Cited:
- Comprehensive list of references supporting both research and education aspects.
- Biographical Sketch of Principal Investigator:
- Follow PAPPG guidelines, including both research and education activities and accomplishments.
- Supplementary Documentation:
- Departmental Letter (Required):
- Must be no more than 2 pages.
- Confirm PI eligibility for career program 17.
- State departmental support for PI’s career development plan and the integration of research and education.
- Describe the alignment of the CAREER project with the PI’s career goals and departmental mission.
- Detail mentoring plans for the PI.
- Letters of Collaboration (If applicable):
- Use the specified single-sentence format to confirm intent to collaborate and/or commit resources.
- Do not include endorsements or evaluations.
- Departmental Letter (Required):
- Appendices:
- Appendices are not permitted.
Content Guidelines for Project Description:
- Integration of Research and Education: Clearly describe how research and education activities are integrated and mutually reinforcing.
- Education Activities: These can target various levels (K-12, undergraduate, graduate, public) and should relate to the proposed research. Examples include:
- Incorporating research into courses.
- Developing new curricula.
- Mentoring students.
- Outreach to underrepresented groups.
- Educational research.
- Cross-Disciplinary and Cross-Sector Perspectives: Proposals that incorporate interdisciplinary approaches, entrepreneurship, industry partnerships, or policy perspectives are encouraged.
- Scientific Software Development: If applicable, describe the development of innovative scientific software, including licensing plans.
- International/Global Dimensions: Proposals may include international components, detailing how these enhance research and education activities.
- Field Work in Polar Regions and Seagoing Facilities: Specific guidelines apply for proposals involving fieldwork in polar regions or requiring seagoing facilities; contact relevant NSF Program Officers for guidance.
Compliance and Submission:
- Ensure compliance with both the CAREER program solicitation and the PAPPG guidelines.
- Non-compliant proposals, such as those with co-PIs or missing Departmental Letters, will be returned without review.
- Submit proposals by the specified deadline for your directorate to avoid return without review.
- Proposals substantially similar to those already under NSF consideration or previously declined without revision will also be returned.
Budgetary Information for Career Program 17
Understanding the budgetary guidelines for career program 17 is essential for preparing a competitive proposal.
- Cost Sharing: Voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.
- Budget Limitations:
- CAREER awards are expected to be a minimum of $400,000 for 5 years, including indirect costs.
- For BIO, ENG, or OPP directorates, the minimum is $500,000 for 5 years.
- Contact your disciplinary Program Officer to discuss budget requests and typical funding levels in your field.
- Allowable Costs:
- Funds for postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students, PI salary, education/outreach activities, evaluator support, travel, and consultant expenses are permitted.
- Academic year salary support for the PI may be appropriate in certain cases (e.g., heavy teaching loads or academic year fieldwork).
Budget Preparation:
- Include a Budget Justification (maximum 5 pages) detailing all proposed costs.
Due Dates Reminder
Adhere to the specific deadlines based on your directorate:
- BIO, CISE, EHR: Third Wednesday in July annually.
- ENG: Third Thursday in July annually.
- GEO, MPS, SBE: Third Friday in July annually.
Proposal Review and Award Administration
Understanding the review process and award administration can provide valuable insight into what happens after proposal submission for career program 17.
NSF Proposal Review Process
NSF employs a rigorous merit review process to evaluate career program 17 proposals.
- Reviewers: Proposals are reviewed by NSF Program Officers and external experts (ad hoc reviewers, panelists) in relevant fields.
- Merit Review Criteria:
- Intellectual Merit: Potential to advance knowledge.
- Broader Impacts: Potential to benefit society and contribute to societal outcomes.
- Reviewers consider:
- Potential to advance knowledge and benefit society.
- Creativity and originality of proposed activities.
- Soundness and organization of the project plan.
- Qualifications of the PI, team, and organization.
- Adequacy of resources.
- Review Process: Ad hoc review and/or panel review will be used. Reviewers provide summary ratings and narratives. Program Officers consider reviewer feedback to make recommendations.
Award Administration Information
- Award Notification: Award notifications are made to the submitting organization by a Grants Officer. Declined proposals are also promptly notified.
- Award Conditions: NSF awards include the award notice, budget, proposal, applicable award conditions (Grant General Conditions or Research Terms and Conditions), and any relevant NSF announcements.
- Reporting Requirements:
- Annual project reports are due 90 days before the end of each budget period.
- Final project reports and project outcomes reports for the public are due within 120 days after grant expiration.
- Use NSF’s electronic project-reporting system via Research.gov for report submission.
Agency Contacts
For general inquiries about career program 17, contact NSF at:
- Telephone: (703) 292-5111
- Email: [email protected]
For FastLane or Research.gov questions, contact:
- Marcia Rawlings: (703) 292-7956, [email protected]
For Grants.gov related questions, contact Grants.gov help desk.
For specific CAREER Directorate and Division contacts, refer to: https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/career/contacts.jsp.
Conclusion
The NSF Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER), or career program 17, represents a significant opportunity for early-career faculty to establish themselves as leaders in research and education. By understanding the program’s goals, eligibility criteria, and application process, and by preparing a compelling and compliant proposal, eligible faculty members can significantly enhance their career trajectory and contribute to advancing scientific knowledge and education in the United States. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the official NSF program solicitation and the PAPPG for the most detailed and current information.
