Faculty Early Career Development Program
Can you apply?
This grant is for early-career faculty at U.S. institutions pursuing innovative research and education integration. Eligible applicants include faculty at accredited colleges and universities (two-year and four-year) and research-focused nonprofits like museums and observatories. PIs must be early-career faculty with potential for academic leadership and research excellence. Each PI may submit only one proposal per year and cannot compete more than three times total.
Program description
CAREER:The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation’s most 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. NSF encourages submission of CAREER proposals from early-career faculty at all CAREER-eligible organizations.
PECASE:Each year NSF selects nominees for the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from among the most meritorious recent CAREER awardees.Selection for this award is based on twoimportant criteria:The criteria are 1) performance of innovative research at the frontiers of science, engineering, and technology that is relevant to the mission of the sponsoring organization or agency; and 2) community service demonstrated through scientific leadership, education or community outreach.These awards foster innovative developments in science and technology, increase awareness of careers in science and engineering, give recognition to the scientific missions of the participating agencies, enhance connections between fundamental research and national goals, and highlight the importance of science and technology for the Nation’s future. Individuals cannot apply for PECASE. These awards are initiated by the participating federal agencies. At NSF, up to twenty-six nominees for this award are selected each year from among the PECASE-eligible CAREER awardees most likely to become the leaders of academic research and education in the twenty-first century. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy makes the final selection and announcement of the awardees.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF PAPPG standard form (SF-424 or equivalent)
- Project Narrative/Proposal (research and education integration plan)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Current CV or biographical sketch
- Letters of support/reference
- Department or institutional endorsement letter
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.083 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$48,079,625
-
$47,887,807
-
$46,238,841
-
$44,434,393
-
$35,687,036
-
$24,737,272
-
$23,999,998
-
$22,294,445
-
$22,222,678
-
$21,793,117
Top States by Funding
- MA 5 awards $138.4M
- NY 3 awards $85.9M
- PA 2 awards $81.9M
- MT 4 awards $64.0M
- GA 4 awards $55.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.083). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $458,210,000 | |
| 2025 | $476,730,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $174,710,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for CAREER funding?
Early-career faculty at accredited U.S. colleges, universities, and research-focused nonprofits. Faculty must show potential to lead research and integrate education.
Can a PI submit multiple CAREER proposals in one year?
No. Each PI may submit only one proposal per annual competition. PIs cannot compete in more than three CAREER competitions total.
What is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is July 22, 2026. Check NSF for specific submission times.
What is the funding range?
CAREER awards typically range from $400,000 and up. The total pool is $250 million across NSF.
What about PECASE awards?
PECASE nominees are selected by NSF from recent CAREER awardees. Individual faculty cannot apply for PECASE directly—agencies nominate the strongest CAREER recipients.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build your proposal around integrating research and education as a coherent career plan, not separate activities.
- Highlight how your work addresses NSF's mission and how you'll serve as an academic role model.
- Demonstrate clear innovation at the frontiers of your field with realistic timelines.
- Show evidence of your teaching philosophy and how research and education reinforce each other.
- Start planning early; this is a highly competitive award requiring strong institutional support and mentor input.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals fail to integrate education and research into a unified career vision. Applications lack evidence of innovation or novelty at the research frontier. Weak letters of support or insufficient institutional commitment to early-career development.
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