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The MCA program offers an opportunity for scientists and engineers at the mid-career stage (see restrictions under Additional Eligibility Information) to substantively enhance and advance theirresearch program and career trajectory. Mid-career scientists are at a critical career transition stage where they need to advance their research programs to ensure long-term productivity and creativity but are often constrained by service, teaching, or other activities that limit the amount of time devoted to research. The MCA program provides protected time, resources, and the means to gain new skills through synergistic and mutually beneficial partnerships, typically at an institution other than the candidate's home institution. Partners from outside the Principal Investigator's (PI) own subdiscipline or discipline are encouraged, but not required, to enhance interdisciplinary networking and convergence across science and engineering fields. Research projects that envision new insights on existing problems or identify new problems made accessible with cutting-edge methodology or expertise from other fields are encouraged. A key component of a successful MCA will be the demonstration that the PI's currentresearchprogram could substantively benefit from the protected time, mentored partnership(s), and resources provided through this program, such thatthere is a substantial enhancement to the PI's research and career trajectory, enabling scientific and academic advancementnot likely without this support. The MCA is the only cross-directorate NSF program specifically aimed at providing protected time and resources to established scientists and engineers targeted at the mid-career stage.Participating programs in the Directorates for Biological Sciences (BIO), Geosciences (GEO), Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE), and Education and Human Resources (EHR) will accept MCA proposals. To help identify the disciplinary program in which the MCA should be reviewed, PIs are urged to investigate the research areas supported by the different directorates and participating programs. PIs are strongly encouraged to discuss the suitability of their MCA proposal with a Program Officer from the appropriate directorate (seehttps://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/mca-mid-career-advancement/announcements/111199).PIs from EPSCoR jurisdictions are especially encouraged to apply.
Funding Opportunity Number: 22-603. Assistance Listing: 47.050,47.074,47.075,47.076,47.083. Funding Instrument: G. Category: ST. Award Amount: $18M total program funding.
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Or search similar grants →According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Eligible applicants: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification). *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: PIs must be a) at the Associate Professor rank (or equivalent; see Additional Eligibility Information) and b) at that rank for at least 3 years by the proposal submission date. PIs must have current or proposed research that falls within the purview of aparticipating disciplinary program. <span>Pilot PUI Track in Directorates for Biological Sciences and Geosciences only, extends PI eligibility: Researchers atthe Full Professor rank (or equivalent; see Additional Eligibility Information) at PUI institutions only and with proposed researchthat falls within the purview of a participating program within the Directorate for Biological Sciences or the Directorate for Geosciences may also apply.</span> The collaborative partner(s) may not be listed as co-principal investigator(s) on the cover page. Instead the partner(s) should be designated as senior/key personnel or consultants. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $18M total program funding. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
Applications for Mid-Career Advancement are due March 1, 2027. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, and final submission checks.
Yes — Mid-Career Advancement is offered by U.S. National Science Foundation and this listing comes from Grants.gov, an official U.S. federal source. Federal applications generally require registrations (for example SAM.gov or an agency submission portal), so allow extra lead time.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
From FY2021 through FY2025, the National Science Foundation made 76,524 awards totaling roughly $38.5 billion to 3,947 recipients across 56 states and territories. Top recipients included the University of Illinois ($687.6 million) and the University of Texas at Austin ($680.0 million), while the median award was $190,296.
| Organization | Total awarded |
|---|---|
| University of Illinois(IL) | $687.6M |
| University of Texas at Austin(TX) | $680.0M |
| Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution(MA) | $662.4M |
| Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, INC.(AZ) | $645.9M |
| Regents of the University of Michigan(MI) | $623.3M |
| University Corporation for Atmospheric Research(CO) | $609.0M |
| University of Washington(WA) | $604.3M |
| Associated Universities INC(DC) | $588.8M |
Linked organizations have Granted profiles. Top recipients of National Science Foundation (NSF) assistance awards, FY2021–FY2025, ranked by total obligations (CFDA 47.x). Source: USAspending. Last verified July 2026.
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