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National Science Foundation

Faculty Early Career Development Program

Funds NSF's most prestigious early-career award — at least $400,000 for a research programme built together with a teaching plan.

OpenNational Science FoundationUnited States

CAREER runs across the whole of NSF and funds early-career faculty who could become the people their field looks to. What it pays for is a research programme, but the brief is deliberately double: NSF asks for activities that build a foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research, so the teaching side is part of the proposal rather than an appendix to it.

The money

An early-career faculty member's research programme in any field NSF supports, proposed together with an education plan that integrates the two. The specific subject is set by the disciplinary programme that reviews the proposal.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.28 Jul 2027
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.26 weeks
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.$250M

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Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Funder reference: 22-586Source: www.grants.gov