NSF CAREER Proposal Writing Workshop

Program Overview

This half-day workshop sponsored by the Vice President for Research and the Office of Proposal Development offers a unique opportunity to learn about all aspects of the NSF CAREER program.

Presenters for the workshop have extensive experience in effective proposal writing, review, and performance of research funded by extramural grants. Past CAREER awardees will be participating throughout the sessions, and will be available for discussions.

Highlights of the workshop include:

How to Communicate with Program Directors
Specific requirements for CAREER proposal
Techniques to write winning proposals; writing the Project Summary and Description
What are Intellectual Merit and Broader Impact?
Developing strategies for success
Avoiding common and fatal mistakes
Understanding reviewers’ critiques and how to benefit from them
A simulated review panel to understand the process, what is important to the reviewers, program directors, and the grant agency
Have an opportunity to discuss specific questions/situations

Additionally, handouts will be provided to further guide you with your CAREER submission:

Description of panels—handouts from the different directorates
Powerpoint slides from program directors
Examples of successful proposals
Template for summary page

A reception for previous and potential awardees will follow the workshop.

To draw the most benefit from this workshop, we encourage you to share your proposals for the simulated panel review.

Workshop Powerpoints

If you missed this workshop, you may view the presenter's slides below:

Workshop Details

What: NSF Career Workshop

When: Monday, April 6, 2015 from 1:00 until 4:30 p.m.

Where: FSU Materials Research Building, 2005 Levy Avenue (FSU Southwest Campus), Seminar Room, Room 114

To register, please click on the registration link.

REGISTRATION ENDS MONDAY, MARCH 30

Program Schedule

Click here to access the Program Schedule

More About NSF CAREER

What is the NSF CAREER Program?

CAREER is a premier program emphasizing the importance the Foundation places on the early development of academic careers dedicated to stimulating the discovery process in which the excitement of research is enhanced by inspired teaching and enthusiastic learning. Effective integration of research and education generates a synergy in which the process of discovery stimulates learning, and assures that the findings and methods of research and education are quickly and effectively communicated in a broader context and to a larger audience.

The CAREER program embodies NSF’s commitment to encourage faculty and academic institutions to value and support the integration of research and education. Successful PIs will propose creative, integrative and effective research and education plans, developed within the context of the mission, goals, and resources of their organizations, while building a firm foundation for a lifetime of contributions to research, education and their integration.

Integration of Research and Education - All CAREER proposals must have an integrated research and education plan at their core. NSF recognizes that there is no single approach to an integrated research and education plan, but encourages all applicants to think creatively about how their research will impact their education goals and, conversely, how their education activities will feed back into their research. These plans should reflect both the proposer's own disciplinary and educational interests and goals, as well as the needs and context of his or her organization. Because there may be different expectations within different disciplinary fields and/or different organizations, a wide range of research and education activities may be appropriate for the CAREER program. Proposers are encouraged to communicate with the CAREER contact or cognizant Program Officer in the Division closest to their area of research to discuss the expectations and approaches that are most appropriate for that area (see http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/career/contacts.jsp for a list of CAREER contacts by division).

All proposals submitted to the National Science Foundation are evaluated through the use of two merit review criteria, which they must address explicitly in the Project Summary and Project Description. One relates to intellectual merit and the other relates to broader impacts of the activities. The following URL contains examples illustrating activities that are likely to demonstrate the broader impacts: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/gpg/broaderimpacts.pdf. CAREER proposers may find these examples useful as they develop their proposals.

Program Solicitation http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503214

List of NSF CAREER Awardees from FSU

Examples of Successful Proposals (Password Protected)

CAREER PowerPoint Presentation from an NSF Program Director