Research, Innovation & Impact

About the program

MU CAREER Club is designed to help eligible researchers submit or resubmit a competitive application to the National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Program. Club participants receive training, support and consultation throughout the process — from first draft to submission.

Apply to join the spring 2025 cohort by Dec. 16, 2024

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 23, 2025 or 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 2025 or 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 can submit a proposal draft to our panel of reviewers by April 11, 2025. We will send the proposal to reviewers and share feedback by April 23. The review team will include experienced CAREER winners and reviewers, staff from The Connector and staff from the Strategic Proposal Development Service.