NSF Career program

Please note that the eligibility requirements specified in the solicitation remain unchanged, and proposers must meet all of the eligibility requirements as of the original deadline of July 26, 2021. The Departmental Letter that must be submitted by the Department Chair (or equivalent) must use July 26, 2021 to determine eligibility, regardless of whether the CAREER proposal is submitted before, on, or after July 26, 2021. An untenured assistant professor on July 26, 2021 is eligible to submit a CAREER proposal even if the Principal Investigator is tenured/promoted in the fall. A new faculty member who starts on July 27, 2021 or later is not eligible to submit a CAREER proposal this year.

Solicitation: NSF 22-586 – All NSF CAREER proposals for all directorates are due by July 27, 2022. However, NSF has asked that PIs submit at least 7 days prior (July 27, 2022) to the deadline. PI’s: Click here for additional information regarding CAREER Proposal Submission Timelines. Note: Illinois Tech has completed and maintains all institutional registration information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program for Submission in Years 2022 – 2026 (2022-2026)

NSF CAREER Administrative Notes

NSF CAREER Administrative Video

NSF Biographical Sketch

A biographical sketch (limited to two pages) is required for each individual identified as senior personnel and must be uploaded as a pdf document for each individual. Do not submit any personal information in the biographical sketch. Template

Note: NSF will require the use of the NSF-approved format for the preparation of the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending via SciENcv. Each PI will need to use the SciENcv to prepare their Biographical Sketch.

SciENcv – Creating Biosketches Instructions

Current and Pending Support

NSF Fillable PDF or the current & pending support format

Please review this FAQ for what needs to be reported on a current and pending. Here are some highlights:

  • Only a NSF approved format either through SCiENcv or NSF approved format for current and pending support can be used. Creating a PDF from a Word document will be not compliant with NSF policy.
  • An item or service given with the expectation of an associated time commitment which is not a gift and is instead an in-kind contribution and must be reported to NSF. A gift by definition is given without expectation of anything in return.
  • In-kind contributions whichare not intended for use on the project/proposal being proposed to NSF and have no associated time commitment, the information is not required to be reported. However, in-kind contributions with no associated time commitment that are intended for use on the project/proposal being proposed to NSF must be included as part of the Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources section.
  • Organizational start-up packages provided to the individual from the proposing organization are not required to be reported. Start-up packages from other than the proposing organization must be reported. Faculty academic year salary is not considered current and pending support in this context.

Data Management Plan

Plans for data management and sharing of the products of research. Proposals must include a document of no more than two pages uploaded under “Data Management Plan” in the supplementary documentation section of FastLane. Sample

Please see the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Preparation Guide (PAPPAG) for additional guidance.

Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan

Each proposal that requests funding to support postdoctoral researchers must upload under “Mentoring Plan” in the supplementary documentation section of FastLane, a description of the mentoring activities that will be provided for such individuals. See the PAPPG for additional guidance.

Project Reports

Annual project reports are required for all standard and continuing grants and cooperative agreements. Final reports are required for all standard and continuing grants, cooperative agreements and fellowships. Interim project reports are not required and are used to update the progress of a project any time during or before the award period expires. You can find additional information here.