About the program

Mizzou's semester-long CAREER Club is designed to help eligible researchers plan for, submit or resubmit a competitive application to the Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) at the National Science Foundation (NSF). Club participants receive training, support and proposal coaching throughout the process — from first draft to submission in July.
 

Who can participate 

  • Assistant professors or equivalent who are eligible for the NSF CAREER Program (see below) and plan to submit their applications by July 22, 2026.
  • Assistant professors who plan to submit in future years and want to begin planning now.
  • Postdocs who want to plan ahead for a future NSF CAREER submission.
     

CAREER Club application requirements

Participants must have a content area mentor identified who will help support their proposal development and must commit to participating in program activities with the goal of submitting a proposal in July 2026. 

Your online application must include:

  1. A one-paragraph summary of your research interest and the anticipated NSF Directorate for your proposal.
  2. A statement of your commitment to participate in program activities.
  3. Your curriculum vitae.
  4. A letter of support from your content area mentor. 
    Download a letter of support template.
     

Eligibility to apply for an NSF CAREER grant

Applicants must:

  • Hold a Ph.D. and engage in research in an area supported by NSF.
  • Be an untenured assistant professor with at least a 50% tenure-track position (you are eligible as long as you have not been awarded tenure by the application submission deadline).
  • Have teaching responsibilities.

Applicants should not have:

  • Previously received a CAREER award.
  • Submitted three grant applications to the NSF CAREER program
     

Proposal review 

Participants will have an opportunity to submit a proposal draft for internal panel review. The review team will include experienced CAREER winners and reviewers, staff from The Connector and staff from the Strategic Proposal Development Service.
 

Apply to participate by Dec. 8, 2025.

 

2026 CAREER Club schedule

SessionsDescription

Session 1

Thursday, Jan. 15
9 a.m.-noon

Bond Life Sciences Center, Room 171

Kickoff

Session 1 will include:

  • An introduction to the NSF.
  • Overview of the NSF CAREER mechanism.
  • Tips and tricks for working with NSF program officers.

Participants will receive supporting documents, such as a proposal checklist, writing timeline and successful proposal examples.

Session 2

Wednesday, Feb. 11
10 a.m.-noon

Bond Life Sciences Center, Room 171

Broader Impacts and Education Plan

During this session, participants will hear from broader impacts experts and former CAREER winners about how to develop a standout education plan.

Session 3 

Tuesday, March 10
10 a.m.-noon

Bond Life Sciences Center, Room 171

Proposal Budget

This session will provide an overview of the CAREER budget and best practices for developing the right budget for your project.

Session 4

Thursday, April 9
10 a.m.-noon

Bond Life Sciences Center, Room 171

Panel and Editing Advice

During this session, participants will hear from a panel of CAREER experts on how to elevate their CAREER proposals.