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The University of New Mexico

NSF Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) CAREER Development

NSF Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER).What is a CAREER? The Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) solicits proposals from junior, un-tenured faculty who demonstrate excellence in scientific research and teaching, and who create an innovative plan that effectively integrates exceptional educational and research activities within the framework of their institutional mission. What are the benefits of a CAREER? A CAREER award benefits the National Science Foundation (NSF), scientific community, applicants, recipients, and society in many ways. Just a few of the benefits include: 1) Recognition. CAREERs offer the NSF a mechanism to recognize the highly-impactful research and inspired teaching of energetic principal investigators (PIs) working diligently early in their careers to make new discoveries or advance their scientific fields. 2) Expanded Opportunities for Integrated Research and Science Education. Each CAREER includes an innovative plan to integrate scientific research with educational activities, offering graduate students, undergraduate students, and groups traditionally underrepresented in science expanded opportunities in these areas. 3) Three Submission Opportunities. Each PI has three opportunities to submit a CAREER proposal in their lifetime. 4) Merit Review Feedback and Quick Turnaround. The deadline for a CAREER submission is in July, and the submission deadline for standard investigator-driven full proposals is in November. 5) Stable Funding for 5 Years. CAREER awardees obtain a stable source of funding for 5 years in order to strengthen their foundation for a lifetime of leadership in scientific research and teaching. MCB Career recipient Dr. Julius Lucks from Cornell University noted, "I see it as a very important source of funding, as it will allow us to delve deeper into some fundamental research." 6) Additional Prestigious Recognitions and/or Funding Opporunities. Up to 20 CAREER recipients are nominated each year by the NSF to receive the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) award, which is an impressive distinction administered by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Each CAREER awardee is eligible to apply for a Career-Life Balance Supplement. Supplements supporting international collaborations, which are provided by the Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE), can be requested for CAREERs. What are important aspects of a CAREER proposal? Each CAREER proposal submitted to MCB must have a minimum budget of $500,000. Who can be a PI on a CAREER proposal? Assistant professors with a PhD, who do not yet have tenure, but are in tenure-track equivalent positions within a CAREER-eligible institution, are eligible to apply for a CAREER award. Refer to "for more information" below for a complete list of requirements. When is the CAREER deadline? The CAREER award is NSF-wide, meaning proposals can be submitted to Divisions outside of MCB and deadlines vary between Divisions. Refer to "for more information" below for deadlines. Who can I contact with questions? For all CAREER proposals submitted to MCB, please contact Dr. Engin Serpersu at 703-292-7124. For all other NSF Divisions, refer to "for more information" below for the appropriate point of contact. For more information: View the NSF CAREER program summary webpage that contains the CAREER solicitaiton (17-537), deadlines, points of contact, FAQs, and webinar slides at http://go.usa.gov/xCPeT.