Office of Strategic Research Development
UGA NSF CAREER Proposal Development Program
UGA NSF CAREER Proposal Development Program
The Office of Strategic Research Development (OSRD) is hosting a new six-part CAREER Proposal Development Program, created and conducted in partnership with the Engineering Education Transformations Institute (EETI). The program is designed to guide the support faculty through the complete process of developing a CAREER proposal. It is open to all faculty eligible to apply for a CAREER award, whether submitting for the first, second, or final time. By July, all participants who complete the program should have a highly competitive proposal ready for submission.
If you wish to participate in the program, please register by Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at: https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9ouWE5Q6jFBxh9Y
PROGRAM DETAILS
WORKSHOP SERIES SCHEDULE:
SESSION 0: INFO SESSION
When: Friday, February 13, 3:00-4:00pm
Where: Remote via Zoom
Presenter: Jake Maas, Director, Office of Strategic Research Development (OSRD)
Focus: Overview of the NSF CAREER program and UGA’s NSF CAREER Proposal Development Program.
SESSION 1: The NSF CAREER Proposal as a Professional Development Plan
When: Friday, February 20, 3:00-4:30pm
Where: Aderhold 206 with Zoom option
Format: Presentation followed by Q&A
Presenter: Jake Maas, Director of OSRD, standing in for Julie Martin, Engineering Education Transformations Institute Director, former NSF program director, 2009 CAREER awardee
Focus: Introduces participants to the NSF CAREER program as a career development plan which lays the foundation for the PI’s long-term career vision. Introduces the concept of PI’s unique qualifications and integration of the research and education components. Provides tips for writing a 1-page summary.
Homework: Develop your 1-page Project Summary.
SESSION 2: Project Summary Peer Review & Strategic Timeline Development
When: Monday, March 16, 3:00-5:00pm
Where: Aderhold 206
Format: Presentation, Writing Groups, Q&A
Presenter: Becky Martini, Associate Professor of English and Writing Center Director; Jake Maas, Director of OSRD
Focus: How to provide and receive constructive critiques. Peer review of 1-page summary draft. Discussion of NSF CAREER Timeline and Checklist. How to reach and talk to an NSF Program Officer.
Homework: Discuss your 1-page summary with cognizant NSF program officer(s).
SESSION 3: Crafting a Meaningful Education Plan with Broader Impacts
When: Friday, March 27, 3:00-4:30pm
Where: Aderhold 206 with Zoom option
Panelists: James Huff, Associate Professor in the Engineering Education Transformations Institute, CAREER awardee; Paula Lemons, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Innovation in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, CAREER and PECASE award winner; Brandy Walker, Senior Public Service Associate in the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development.
Focus: Crafting a meaningful education plan with broader impacts.
Homework: Draft your Education Plan and Broader Impacts sections.
SESSION 4: How to Effectively Pitch Your Future Career to NSF
When: Friday, April 17, 3:00-5:00pm
Where: Aderhold 206 with Zoom option
Presenters: John Brocato, Technical Communications Senior Lecturer, School of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering; Jake Maas, Director of OSRD
Focus: Strategies to write effective and engaging background/motivation sections appropriate for NSF audiences and craft compelling research stories through writing style, structure, and coherence.
Homework: Complete your “80% draft” Project Description.
SESSION 5: Expert Review and Feedback
When: Asynchronous; “80% drafts” of Project Summary and Project Description due Monday, June 8
Where: Online/Zoom
Reviewers: Past CAREER awardees
Focus: Share your complete draft with your assigned expert reviewer. Optional 30-min consultation.
Homework: Develop all ancillary documents in consultation with your grants coordinator, DLSA, or SPA.
SESSION 6: OSRD Feedback on and Editing of Final Drafts
When: Asynchronous; final drafts of Project Summary and Project Description due Monday, June 29
Where: Online/Zoom
Reviewers: OSRD and other RD staff as needed
Focus: Once expert review feedback has been incorporated, OSRD will provide written feedback and editing to fine-tune project description and project summary. Optional 30-minute PI meetings.
Homework: Finalize and submit your full CAREER proposal in consultation with SPA/DLSA!
RESUBMISSIONS:
Though we all wish it weren’t, rejection is part of the proposal process and a likely outcome. If you plan to resubmit, reach out to OSRD! We will work through the reviews with you and help you strategize for resubmission.