Early Career Development Programs are critical for fostering the next generation of academic leaders and innovators. These initiatives, particularly within the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, play a pivotal role in nurturing faculty potential and propelling advancements in research and education. The National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program stands as a prime example of such a prestigious program, designed to identify and support early-career faculty who demonstrate exceptional promise in integrating research and education.
The NSF CAREER program is Foundation-wide, signifying its broad reach and importance across various scientific disciplines. It offers the NSF’s most esteemed awards to early-career academics who are not only excelling in their research domains but also have the vision to serve as academic role models. These individuals are expected to lead advancements within their departments and institutions, contributing significantly to the overarching mission of their organizations. A core tenet of the CAREER program is that the activities undertaken by these early-career faculty should lay a robust groundwork for sustained leadership throughout their careers, emphasizing the synergistic relationship between education and research. NSF actively encourages applications from all CAREER-eligible organizations, with a special emphasis on promoting diversity and inclusion by urging women, underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities to apply.
Building upon the foundation of the CAREER program, the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) represent the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government upon outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their independent research careers. Each year, NSF nominates a select group of its most meritorious recent CAREER awardees for PECASE consideration. Selection for PECASE is based on three key criteria: pioneering innovative research at the cutting edge of science and engineering relevant to the sponsoring agency’s mission, demonstrating community service through scientific leadership and outreach, and a strong commitment to STEM equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion. PECASE awards serve to stimulate innovation in science and technology, raise awareness about STEM career paths, acknowledge the vital scientific missions of participating federal agencies, strengthen the link between fundamental research and national objectives, and underscore the critical importance of science and technology for the nation’s future prosperity. Individuals cannot directly apply for PECASE; instead, federal agencies like NSF initiate the nomination process. From the pool of PECASE-eligible CAREER awardees, NSF selects up to twenty-six nominees annually, identifying those with the greatest potential to become the leading figures in academic research and education in the 21st century. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy ultimately makes the final selections and public announcements of the PECASE award recipients.
