The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity of the U.S. National Science Foundation that offers prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization. Activities pursued by early-career faculty should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research.

Overview

The CAREER Program is the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious award for early-career faculty. It supports individuals who demonstrate the potential to become academic role models and to advance the mission of their department or organization through integrated research and education. Each year, NSF also selects nominees for the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from among the most meritorious recent CAREER awardees. PECASE recognition is based on innovative research at the frontiers of science, engineering, and technology relevant to the sponsoring agency’s mission, as well as community service through scientific leadership, education, or outreach. Individuals cannot apply for PECASE; nominations are initiated by participating federal agencies. At NSF, up to twenty-six nominees are selected each year from PECASE-eligible CAREER awardees.

Funding and Benefits

• Program Funding: $250,000,000
• Award Minimum: $400,000
• Funding Instrument Type: Grant
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No
• Opportunity Category: Discretionary
• Category of Funding Activity: Science technology and other research and development

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants: Miscellaneous (Other)

Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following:

• Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities.
• Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the U.S., acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special instructions apply for international branch campuses of U.S. IHEs; the proposer must explain the benefit(s) of performance at the international branch campus and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the U.S. campus.

Who May Serve as PI: A Principal Investigator (PI) may submit only one CAREER proposal per annual competition. In addition, a PI may not participate in more than three CAREER competitions. Proposals that are not reviewed (i.e., withdrawn before review or returned without review) do not count toward the three-competition limit.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. The funding opportunity number is 22-586. For additional information, refer to NSF Publication 22-586.

Deadline and Timeline

• Closing Date: July 22, 2026
• Posted Date: April 19, 2022
• Archive Date: August 25, 2028

Contact Information

For technical support with Grants.gov, contact: grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov

For problems linking to this funding announcement, use the email above.