National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Program
The National Science Foundation (NSF) 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 and especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities to apply.
The U of I’s Research and Faculty Development (RFD) team offers proposal development support at all levels, from finding funding to contacting program officers, reviewing proposal documents, assisting with resubmissions, and coordinating large proposals. Fill out the Faculty Request for Proposal Development Assistance form to request RFD services.
Please consult the Resources list on this page for current guides, checklists and videos designed to increase the competitiveness of your CAREER proposal.
CAREER All Year is our year-long program that supports faculty applying to this unique NSF program, and toward that end we are offering the events and activities below.
- NSF CAREER Program Solicitation NSF20-525
- NSF CAREER FAQ
- NSF CAREER Proposal Checklist docx
- NSF CAREER All Year: Introduction to NSF CAREER (video)
- NSF CAREER Department Head Letter Template docx
- Education and Outreach Resources and Partners docx
- NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG NSF 22-1)
- NSF Biosketch Guidance and Instructions
- NSF Current and Pending Form Guidance and Instructions
- SciENcv: What, Why, How: A tool for creating and updating Biosketches and Current & Pending Support Form (video)
Faculty Success Seminar: NSF CAREER: Essential Steps Toward Developing a Competitive Proposal – with guest speaker/expert NSF PO Elizabeth Rom
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. PT, October 13, 2021
CAREER is NSF’s most prestigious early-career award program, and unique in its requirements. In this session we’ll talk about whether you should, or should not consider applying, and the critical steps you can take now to prepare for submitting a competitive proposal. We’ll share proposal development timelines/plans and discuss strategies for identifying and contacting NSF program officers, formulating your education plan, and considering your project’s broader impacts. NSF Program Officer Elizabeth Rom will join the webinar to discuss effective strategies for winning CAREER proposals and to answer your questions.
Link: https://uidaho.zoom.us/j/81586190096
Add this to your calendar
Broader Impacts Workshop: BI 101
10:30 – 12:00 p.m. PT, October 22, 2021
This workshop is designed for anyone who is, or is considering, applying for funding from NSF and who wishes to increase the competitiveness of their NSF proposals. Participants will see examples of Broader Impacts (BI) activities and will be guided through the process of creating and aligning their BI activities with their research and professional and personal interests.
Registration link: https://infoready.uidaho.edu/#manageCompetitionsDetail/1849712
Faculty Success Seminar: NSF CAREER: Getting Started on Your Proposal
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. PT, March 2, 2022
If you are planning to apply to the NSF CAREER program, this is the time to begin developing your proposal. In this session, we’ll share guidance from NSF on how to approach a CAREER proposal’s education plan and its integration with your research plan. We’ll also share strategies for contacting program officers and other tips for success, as well templates, checklists, and proposal development resources. This session will be useful to anyone considering NSF CAREER, this year or in the future.
Link: https://uidaho.zoom.us/j/81586190096
Add this to your calendar
Submit your RFD Request for CAREER Proposal Development Assistance
Deadline for priority: 5 p.m. PT, March 7, 2022
U of I Proposal Development Specialists are available, first-come-first-served, to help PIs develop competitive proposals, from assisting with contacting program officers to helping with broader impacts and reviewing documents for clarity and completeness. Submitting a ticket early, via the link provided, will help ensure a thorough proposal review.
Request Service link: https://support.uidaho.edu/TDClient/40/Portal/Requests/ServiceDet?ID=715
Broader Impacts Workshop: BI 101
10:30 – Noon PT, April 1, 2022
This workshop is designed for anyone who is, or is considering, applying for funding from NSF and who wishes to increase the competitiveness of their NSF proposals. Participants will see examples of Broader Impacts (BI) activities and will be guided through the process of creating and aligning their BI activities with their research and professional and personal interests.
Registration link: https://infoready.uidaho.edu/#manageCompetitionsDetail/1850952
CAREER Proposal Mock Review Exercise
12:30 – 2 p.m. PT, March 21, 2022
In this hands-on exercise, participants will be guided through the review process of funded CAREER proposals from several different NSF Directorates and learn tips, tricks, and best practices for competitive proposals.
Registration link: TBA
CAREER Conversation #1 - Getting started: tasks/timeline; contacting your PO; Department Head letter
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. PT, March 23, 2022
We’ll go over important steps to take before you begin to write your proposal. We’ll also share resources, brainstorm, and answer any questions about CAREER.
Link: https://uidaho.zoom.us/j/83905302980
CAREER Conversation #2 – Education plan; integration of education and research
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. PT, April 20, 2022
We’ll discuss what an education plan is, and how it is integrated with your research plan. We’ll also share resources, brainstorm, and answer any questions about CAREER.
Link: https://uidaho.zoom.us/j/83905302980
CAREER Conversation #3 - Broader Impacts
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. PT, May 4, 2022
We’ll discuss the Broader Impacts of a CAREER proposal. We’ll also share resources, brainstorm, and answer any questions about CAREER.
Link: https://uidaho.zoom.us/j/83905302980
CAREER Conversation #4 – Writing the Overview
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. PT, May 18, 2022
We’ll discuss how to write a compelling first (and most important) page of your project description. We’ll also share resources, brainstorm, and answer any questions about CAREER.
Link: https://uidaho.zoom.us/j/83905302980
CAREER Conversation #5 - Writing the Summary
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. PT, June 8, 2022
We’ll discuss how to write the Summary – the most important document of your proposal package. We’ll also share resources, brainstorm, and answer any questions about CAREER.
Link: https://uidaho.zoom.us/j/83905302980
Red Team Review of CAREER Project Description
TBA
The U of I partners with a federal grant consulting firm whose services include proposal development and red team review. PIs who have requested RFD CAREER proposal development via our ticket system and have a mature Project Description ready for review will have priority for this external review opportunity. Stay tuned for more details.
CAREER Conversation #6 – Polishing the proposal
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. PT, June 29, 2022
We’ll talk about polishing your proposal, review a last-minute checklist, and answer any questions.