Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER)
U.S. National Science Foundation
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 two important 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.
Eligibility
*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 US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.
*Who May Serve as PI:
A Principal Investigator (PI) may submit only one CAREER proposal per annual competition. In addition, a Principal Investigator may not participate in more than three CAREER competitions. Proposals that are not reviewed (i.e., are withdrawn before review or are returned without review) do not count toward the three-competition limit.
Past awards
Federal awards made under 8 assistance listings (47.075, 47.070, 47.050 and 5 more) in FY2022–FY2026, from USAspending.gov.
- Awards made
- 34,513
- FY2022–FY2026
- Total awarded
- $23.4B
- FY2022–FY2026
- Typical award
- $300K
- Middle half $151.8K–$500K
- States & territories
- 56
- with at least one award
Typical award is the median of FY2026 awards under ALN 47.049, the largest listing on this grant; half of awards fell between the quartiles shown.
| Year | Total awarded | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| FY2022 | $4.1B | 3,943 |
| FY2023 | $4.7B | 4,621 |
| FY2024 | $6.4B | 10,907 |
| FY2025 | $4.8B | 8,722 |
| FY2026 | $3.4B | 6,320 |
Where awards went
Top states by dollars, all years on record
- California$4.6B · 4,715 awards
- Texas$3.2B · 2,837 awards
- Massachusetts$2.9B · 2,612 awards
- New York$2.7B · 3,018 awards
- Arizona$2.3B · 936 awards
Who wins
Share of awards by recipient type
- Colleges & universities90% · 37,799 awards
- Small businesses4% · 1,508 awards
- For-profit companies3% · 1,332 awards
- Unclassified by USAspending2% · 888 awards
- Individuals1% · 475 awards
- Tribal governments & organizations<1% · 23 awards
- State & local governments<1% · 18 awards
Source: USAspending.gov award records for these assistance listings, which also fund other opportunities. This is history, not a guarantee: future award sizes, counts and eligible recipients may differ. Exact total for FY2022–FY2026: $23,365,169,077.
Contact
NSF grants.gov support grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov