Highlighted in blue are key networking opportunities. 

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Sunday, May 5, 2024

5:30-7:30 pm                Registration and Informal Reception

Opportunity for networking with appetizers and a cash bar available

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Monday, May 6, 2024

8:45-9:15 am                Registration

9:15-9:30 am                Welcome

Welcome from workshop co-PIs and NSF Division Director describing workshop goals and scheduled activities 

9:30-10:00 am              "Unwritten Wisdom" from an NSF Program Officer 

Presentation to introduce the participants to the most critical information that they need to know about the NSF CAREER program. This presentation will include a discussion of the most recent changes in proposal requirements that will allow the participants to read funded proposals with the understanding of which aspects of those proposals no longer satisfy the requirements. The presentation may include suggestions for utilizing program officers as resources when preparing to seek funding. 

10:00-10:30 am            Declination and Revision

Presentation from an NSF program officer about how to handle revising a declined proposal

10:30-10:45 am            Nuts and Bolts of Submission and Compliance

Presentation from an NSF program officer discussing "Top 10" common mistakes and important things to know about formatting and compliance 

10:45-11:15 am            Review Panel Basics

Presentation from NSF Program Officer that describes how review panels work, the most important things to know about the review process, and information on how junior faculty can get involved

11:15-12:00 am            Panel Discussion: Integration of Teaching, Research, and Broader Impacts

Guided by questions from the organizers, several NSF program officers will discuss effective approaches to these issues. The topic of broader impacts, in particular, continues to be a source of confusion in the academic community. The goal of this discussion is to convey to the participants a range of options when thinking about broader impacts and integration of teaching and research, and how those factors contribute to building a sustainable career. 

12:00-1:30 pm              Working Lunch

Participants will have the opportunity to network and make any last-minute changes to their presentations for the afternoon session.

1:30-3:00 pm                Feedback on Participant Proposals (Part 1)

Participants will be divided into 8–10 groups based on scientific interests. Each group will have ~8–10 early career participants, at least one invited mentor (which may include one of the Pis), and as many program directors as available in that field (at least one). Each early career participant will be asked to give a 10–15-minute presentation on their proposal that will encompass an introduction to the project area, a description of each of the proposed specific aims, a discussion of the educational component, and a mention of broader impacts. Each presentation will then receive feedback for 15 minutes. 

3:30-4:00 pm                Break

Coffee and snacks will be served

4:00-6:00 pm                Feedback on Participant Proposals (Part 2)

vide supra: Feedback on Participant Proposals (Part 1)

6:30 pm                        Dinner

A list of dinner options at local restaurants will be provided.

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Tuesday, May 7, 2024

8:00-10:00 am              Mock Review Panel

Participants and mentors will work within groups assigned the previous day. They will be asked to read two selected proposals, roughly in their subject area, in advance of the workshop and prepare reviews as if they were serving as panel participants. The group activity will involve a mock panel review where participants and mentors in groups of ~8-10, each guided by a program officer, will proceed to review the assigned proposals as if serving on a review panel. The proposal reviews will be presented by the invited participants, who will be assigned the roles of primary or secondary reviewers. The purpose of this activity is to convey how proposals are reviewed and also to train the participants in how to be reviewers, facilitated by the program officer. Includes time to report back on lessons learned.

10:00-10:30 am            Break

Coffee and snacks will be served.

10:30-11:00 am            Panel Discussion: Challenges and Opportunities at PUIs   

This informal panel will focus on how PUI faculty can situate themselves to compete effectively for NSF CAREER and other grants. Mentors and the co-PI from PUIs will answer questions and offer thoughts about how to integrate teaching and research programs in PUI and related environments. Any attendees may come to the session, but the focus will be on attendees from undergraduate institutions. 

11:00-12:15 pm            Brief Program Officer Presentations from Other Agencies

Several program officers from agencies such as DOD, DOE, NIH will be invited to give brief overviews of how their funding agencies operate and what kind of work they fund. These program officers will be invited to stay for the afternoon for one-on-one meetings with participants (see section 6.3 above). 

12:15-12:30 pm            Closing comments and evaluations

Organizers will close the workshop with parting comments and participants will be asked to fill out evaluation forms. 

12:30-1:30 pm              Working Lunch

Lunch will be provided as a way to continue networking and informal discussions

1:30-5:00 pm                Optional Meetings with Program Officers

Participants may sign up for short time slots to have one-on-one meetings with program officers (from both NSF and other agencies) to ask any questions or raise particular concerns related to their research funding.