NSF Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) Training: 1 month to deadline

The NSF CAREER Award is one of the most prestigious grants for early-career faculty, but with just one month to the deadline, should you push forward or wait until next year? In this video, Julia Barzyk, founder of Wise Investigator, walks you through key final-stage strategies for submission and critical considerations if you're unsure about applying this cycle.

Should You Submit?
Before diving into final revisions, ask yourself:
🔹 Is your proposal strong enough? If you're not confident in your draft, it may be better to wait and refine for next year.
🔹 Are you submitting due to external pressure? If leadership is expecting you to submit, consider the broader career implications before deciding.
🔹 Can your proposal be significantly improved in 4 weeks? If not, use your draft as a foundation for a stronger submission next year.

Key Final Steps for a Competitive NSF CAREER Proposal
🔹 Prioritize Your Project Summary & First Two Pages – These sections often make or break a proposal. Ensure they effectively communicate:
✔️ Why You? – Show how this project is a logical next step in your career.
✔️ Why Now? – Explain why this is the right time for this research.
✔️ What’s the Payoff? – Highlight potential broader impacts across disciplines and real-world applications.

🔹 Make Your Education Plan Specific – Avoid vague statements. Instead, specify:
✔️ Which student levels will be involved?
✔️ What educational outreach will be included?
✔️ Any partnerships or programs you’re working with?

🔹 Allow Time for Thorough Editing – Even if you're an excellent writer, get a second set of eyes to catch issues you may have overlooked.

🔹 Secure Letters of Support ASAP – If your proposal requires endorsements, request them now before colleagues and administrators become unavailable.

Final Reminder: Seek Personalized Feedback
While general strategies help, personalized feedback from colleagues in your field is invaluable. If you've received peer reviews or internal feedback, prioritize that as you finalize your submission.

🔗 Useful Resources
✅ Visit Wise Investigator – https://www.wiseinvestigator.com/
✅ Join the Newsletter for Research Funding Insights – https://wiseinvestigator.beehiiv.com/
✅ Connect with Julia Barzyk on LinkedIn –   / julia-barzyk  
📩 Still unsure about submitting? Drop a comment or reach out—I’d love to help you think through your options! 🚀