NSF CAREER Grant Preparation Program

Overview

The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program annually. The Program is a NSF-wide activity that offers prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars. UA’s Research Development Services (RDS) offers a guided program to potential applicants and interested parties that provides an overview of the NSF CAREER Program as well as proposal development assistance to those that choose to submit a full CAREER proposal. The RDS program is available for UA faculty at no-cost.
 
This program is a joint effort between Research Development Services and the Office of Societal Impact.

 

Information Sessions

Introduction to the NSF CAREER, including a panel of faculty that have successfully obtained the CAREER awards
Date TBD - likely November of 2024
 
NSF CAREER Broader Impacts & Evaluation Plans, led by the Office of Societal Impact
Date TBD - likely December 2024

Proposal Development Support - Previous Academic Year Schedule

Updates in Progress

Research Development Services’ (RDS) CAREER Preparation Program is designed to support and guide early-career UA faculty as they develop a compelling project description: from conception to submission on July 24, 2024. UArizona faculty who commit to participate in the program will receive individual support from an RDS Associate(s) and a peer review (Red Team) of their full proposal. The RDS program consists of:

  •     February, 21 2024: Submit your application (through Arizona Cultivate) to participate in the cohort program
  •     March through May 2024: RDS Associate support & cohort meetings
  •     Late May/Early June 2024: Peer Review
  •     June & July, 2024: RDS Associate support & cohort meetings
  •     July 24, 2024: Proposal submission
 
Upon completion of the RDS program, applicants will have: a project summary, a project description, a budget justification, a NSF compliant biographical sketch, their references compiled, and a facilities plan. Faculty participants who apply to the RDS CAREER Preparation Program are committing to participating by submitting their proposal sections in a timely manner for review by their RDS Associate and peer review panel.

2024 Self-Study Online Guide by Academic Research & Funding Strategies

 

The University of Arizona has purchased the institutional access for this online course. Access is available through September 1, 2024. Please do not distribute access outside of The University of Arizona. This online course provides a comprehensive and detailed discussion of the NSF CAREER program and how to write a winning proposal, stepping through the process from developing an idea to interpreting reviews. The course (access here) includes videos, downloadable slides and resources:

  • The NSF CAREER Program: The Basics
  • Planning your research component
  • Identifying your NSF program and talking to your PO
  • Planning your education component
  • Final planning steps and writing your proposal, step by step
  • Understanding and responding to reviews

Background materials provided for download:

 

Contact RDS

ResDev@arizona.edu 

(520) 621-8585 

1618 E. Helen St
Tucson, AZ 85719

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