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
 
The annual NSF Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) is an NSF-wide activity that offers prestigious awards in support of junior faculty. Research Development Services (RDS) and the Office of Societal Impact offer a guided program to potential applicants 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. This first informational kickoff meeting is open to all.

Hybrid Meeting

In person address: 1618 E Helen St

Virtual Only 

register for your personalized Zoom link

For content questions, contact Brian Heinze at heinze@arizona.edu For Logistical questions, contact ResearchEvents@arizona.edu. 

Submit your application (through Arizona Cultivate) to participate in the cohort program

Program Schedule:
  1. February 7, 2025: U of A application submission deadline through Arizona Cultivate
  2. Feb through May 2025: RDS Associate and Societal Impacts support
  3. Late May/Early June 2025: Peer Review
  4. June - July 2025: Continued RDS Associate support
  5. July 23, 2025: 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.

 

2025 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 July 10, 2025. 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 (coming soon) 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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