The Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) would like to bring attention to the following two funding opportunities that are designed to support researchers who are seeking to enhance or change their research activity.
The Mid-Career Advancement Program (MCA; NSF 22-603) is an NSF-wide program designed for PIs whose administrative and/or teaching duties have significantly hindered their research efforts. The program provides funds to release faculty from some of their non-research duties allowing them to pursue collaborations to gain new skills or resources and substantially enhance their research trajectory. The MCA Program is targeted primarily to Associate Professors; however, as part of a new pilot track, Full Professors at primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) are eligible to apply when submitting to the Biological Sciences or Geological Sciences Directorates. Budget-wise, MCA provides a total of 6.5 months of the PI’s salary over the course of the award, plus one month of summer support for each collaborative partner and $100,000 to the PI for other direct costs. Whereas the primary focus of the program is to support training that allows a PI to pursue a new research direction, support may also include graduate student training. The application requires a description of the research plan, a two-page Impact statement, a statement from the collaborator, and a letter from the Department Chair.
The Transitions to Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Research Program (Transitions; NSF 21-508) is an MCB program designed for PIs who have made productive contributions to a research area, but now would like to change or expand their research direction by acquiring new research or data analytic skills. The Transitions Program is tailored for Associate and Full Professors at any U.S. academic institution. The total maximum budget for a three-year Transitions Award is $750,000, which includes support for six months of the PI’s salary in the first, professional development (or sabbatical) year of the award and support for two subsequent years of research at the PI’s home institution. Proposals for the Transitions Program must include a compelling professional development plan, as well as a letter of support from the Department Chair. PI’s have the option to include a letter of support from the host laboratory detailing the training plan for the PI.
Attend the upcoming Virtual Office Hours, on October 12th from 2-3pm, to learn more about the MCA and Transitions Programs!
| Transitions to Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Research (Transitions) | Mid-Career Advancement (MCA) | |
| NSF 21-508 | NSF 22-603 | |
| MCB-specific solicitation | Multiple participating programs across NSF | |
| Eligibility | Associate and Full Professors (or equivalent) | Associate Professors (or equivalent) for at least 3 years and Full Professors at PUIs (BIO, GEO) |
| Purpose | Enables pursuit of new avenues of inquiry or expansion of research toward greater impact | Enables increased research focus through protected time and collaborative partnerships |
| Individuals Supported | Supports PI salary during sabbatical or similar leave plus 2 years research support | Supports PI and collaborative partner salary with some support for research and training activities |
| Notes for Successful Proposals | Successful applicants will demonstrate a strong record of prior accomplishment and a compelling plan for moving the research in new (ideally cross-disciplinary) directions | Successful applicants will demonstrate substantive benefit to their research and career trajectory, especially in cross-disciplinary directions |
| Deadline | Proposals are accepted at any time. | Target Window: February 01 – March 01, 2023, and annually thereafter |
| Maximum Budget | $750,000 total over 3 years, including PI salary (6 mo.) | PI salary (6.5 mo.), collaborator salary (1 mo.), and $100,000 direct costs for research over 3 years |
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