The NSF CAREER Award is a grant from the National Science Foundation that funds early-career faculty who demonstrate the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education. This prestigious program supports the integration of research and education activities that build a firm foundation for a lifetime of scholarly leadership.

Outstanding CAREER awardees may be nominated for the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Eligible applicants are tenure-track assistant professors at U.S. institutions of higher education. NSF strongly encourages applications from women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Awards typically range from $400,000 to $500,000 over five years.

Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) NSF's implementation of the revised 2 CFR NSF Financial Assistance awards (grants and cooperative agreements) made on or after October 1, 2024, will be subject to the applicable set of award conditions, dated October 1, 2024, available on the NSF website .

These terms and conditions are consistent with the revised guidance specified in the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2024.

Important information for proposers All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in this funding opportunity and in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. It is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets these requirements.

Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.

Updates to NSF Research Security Policies On July 10, 2025, NSF issued an Important Notice providing updates to the agency's research security policies, including a research security training requirement, Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program annual certification requirement, prohibition on Confucius institutes and an updated FFDR reporting and submission timeline.

Supports 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.

Includes the description of the NSF component of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) Supports 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.

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 and especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities to apply.

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.

Updates and announcements CAREER webinar materials and FAQ CAREER directorate and division contacts Faculty Early Career program July 11, 2025 - NSF Division of Materials Research Open Hour – Faculty Early… June 25, 2025 - CAREER Proposal Submission Logistics Webinar June 12, 2025 - NSF CAREER webinar on engineering education research proposals June 6, 2025 - NSF Division of Chemistry Early-Career Investigator Workshop (… May 19, 2025 - 2025 NSF CAREER Program Informational Webinar May 14, 2025 - 2025 ENG/CMMI CAREER Program Webinar May 14, 2025 - 2025 NSF CAREER Program Informational Webinar May 14, 2025 - 2025 ENG/CMMI CAREER Program Webinar May 8, 2025 - 2025 ENG/CMMI CAREER Program Webinar May 8, 2025 - 2025 ENG/CMMI CAREER Program Webinar Additional program resources FAQ: Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program for Submission in Years 2022 - 2026 Awards made through this program Browse projects funded by this program Map of recent awards made through this program Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Directorate for STEM Education (EDU) Directorate for Engineering (ENG) Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) Office of Integrative Activities (OD/OIA) Office of International Science and Engineering (OD/OISE) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP)