NSF CAREER Proposal Development Series

This page contains information about the March 2022 – June 2022 program.

Plans for future iterations of the program are pending. Contact the Office of Research Development if you are seeking support for NSF CAREER proposal development.

Overview Heading link

This training series, organized by the UIC Office of Research Development, connects early-career researchers with resources for developing and refining their applications for the NSF CAREER award. The goal of this event series is to empower prospective CAREER applicants with insights about the application process, general grantsmanship skills, and practical tools for crafting a compelling project narrative. Previous CAREER awardees, NSF program staff, and representatives from the UIC Office of Research Development share their experiences and insights to inspire and encourage applicants as they develop their proposals.

In addition to brown bag seminars, this series will provide an opportunity for participants to both provide and benefit from peer support during the proposal writing process through “Writing Workouts.” These include formation of writing accountability groups for participants to attend on their own, and a structured round-robin review of the Project Summary section of proposals using the framework presented in the book The Narrative Gym.

Events in the Series Heading link

About the NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program (NSF 20-025) Heading link

  • The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.
  • Activities pursued by early-career faculty should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research.
  • The intent of the program is to provide stable support at a sufficient level and duration to enable awardees to develop careers not only as outstanding researchers but also as educators demonstrating commitment to teaching, learning, and dissemination of knowledge
  • Individuals may submit only one CAREER proposal per year, and may only participate in three competitions
  • The CAREER award, including indirect costs, is expected to total a minimum of $400,000 for the 5-year duration, with the following exceptions: Awards for proposals to the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO), the Directorate for Engineering (ENG), or the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) are expected to total a minimum of $500,000 for the 5-year duration.
  • Due July 25, 2022

2022 Series Schedule Heading link

DateTimeProgram
Friday, March 4, 20221:00-2:30 PM CTKickoff Presentation: NSF CAREER from the Program Director to You
• Laura Anderson, Ph.D.
• Karl Rockne, Ph.D.
Friday, March 18, 202212:00-1:00 PM CTWriting Workout Kickstart
• Sign up for a writing accountability group
• Learn about the book The Narrative Gym
• Take advantage of round-robin review opportunity for your Project Summary
Friday, April 1, 202212:00-1:00 PM CTRoundtable Panel of Previous CAREER Awardees
Friday, April 15, 202212:00-1:30 PM CTCurrent NSF Program Director Brown Bag
• Matthew Buechner, Ph.D.
Friday, April 29, 20225:00 PM CTWriting Workout B (Strength Training): Project summaries due for narrative review
Tuesday, May 10, 20225:00 PM CTWriting Workout B (Strength Training): Narrative reviews due
Friday, May 13, 20221:00-2:00 PM CTWriting Workout B (Strength Training) Wrap-Up

Helpful Resources Heading link