What no one tells you about writing a CAREER Proposal: Advice from a former NSF program officer

Abstract

This paper is designed as a resource for anyone considering writing a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) proposal for the National Science Foundation. The paper focuses on three topics that could be considered part of the "hidden curriculum" of successful proposal writing for this program: situating your project within your vision for your academic career, communicating effectively with program officers, and developing a support network for your proposal writing. Examples of career visions are included from Engineering Education CAREER awardees. Writing prompts are included to help prospective investigators develop their own career visison.