Most recent content update: July 30, 2025
Note: This page will be updated as new information becomes available. If you are developing a proposal or making plans to develop one, please check back frequently.
Program Snapshot
The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) program supports early-career faculty in developing careers as both researchers and educators committed to teaching, learning, and knowledge dissemination.
CAREER proposals should outline an integrated approach to becoming a successful researcher and educator. NSF encourages applicants to think creatively about the reciprocal relationship between their research and education activities. Plans should reflect the proposer's disciplinary and educational interests, career goals, and institutional context, and should establish a strong foundation for long-term contributions.
Funding level:
For most directorates, budgets should be for a minimum of $400,000 over five years. For proposals to the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO), the Directorate for Engineering (ENG), or the Office of Polar Programs (OPP), a minimum of $500,000 over five years is expected.
Timeline
Full proposal due July 22, 2026 (fourth Wednesday in July, annually, thereafter)
Eligibility
-
Proposers must hold a tenure-track assistant professor position (or an equivalent untenured title) at the time of the application deadline and be engaged in research in an area of science, engineering, or education supported by NSF.
-
Each Principal Investigator (PI) may submit only one CAREER proposal per annual competition and may participate in up to three CAREER competitions.
-
Co-PIs are not permitted as the CAREER program is designed to foster individual career development.
Resources from NSF
Resources from RDO
- RDO's Guide to developing an education plan for the NSF CAREER award - Includes key considerations, example activities, a starter outline for education plan components, and frequently asked questions
- Advice for contacting an NSF CAREER program officer - Best practices and a template email for reaching out to a program officer (a highly recommended step for NSF CAREER proposers!)
- NSF CAREER departmental letter guidelines - Overview of what this letter should contain and related NSF policies
- NSF CAREER Project Description: Basic Content - While the format of a CAREER proposal project description is up to the PI's discretion (i.e., there is not a prescribed format), this starter outline provides guidance on the information that should be included in any proposal.
- Step Ahead for NSF CAREER Proposers - Launching soon! Step Ahead for NSF CAREER is an opt-in email service with practical suggestions to support advance proposal development activities for prospective applicants. This program aims to help shorten the learning curve and reduce the planning burden associated with NSF CAREER proposals. Email reminders will be sent beginning in January of 2026. Fill out interest form to pre-register.
Support for Stanford PIs
The Stanford Research Development Office (RDO) provides proposal development support, including feedback and editing, for funding opportunities like this one. Please visit our home page or contact Kim Baeten to learn more.