Early Career Faculty Awards

Early Career Faculty Awards are granted to university faculty for research in the areas of science, engineering and other related fields. Eligible applicants must be in the early stages of their careers, have received a PhD and hold a tenure-track assistant professor position at an accredited university. These prestigious awards denote scientific excellence and innovation among emerging researchers, indicating the nation’s future leaders in scientific research.


NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award (1984-1991)

The Presidential Young Investigator Award was a precursor of the NSF CAREER award. It was granted to junior faculty within three years of their hire as assistant professors at accredited universities in recognition of their research promise in the sciences and engineering.

C.H. Menq

Giorgio Rizzoni

Vish Subramaniam


NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program

The CAREER Award is granted by the National Science Foundation to outstanding early career faculty who serve as leaders and role models in the integration of research and education.

Renee Zhao

Marcello Canova

Carlos Castro

Ran Dai

Rebecca Dupaix

Ryan L. Harne

David Hoelzle

Mrinal Kumar

Jonathan Song

Manoj Srinivasan

Haijun Su

Vishnu Sundaresan

Jeffrey Sutton


NSF Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award

Shawn Midlam-Mohler


AFOSR Young Investigator Award

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Award is granted to outstanding early career faculty for key research in science and engineering to aid in the Air Force’s mission.

Lian Duan

Mrinal Kumar

Jack McNamara

Jeffrey Sutton


ARO Young Investigator Award

The Army Research Office Young Investigator Award is granted to outstanding early career faculty for key research in science and engineering on behalf of the Army.

James Gregory


ASME Haythornthwaite Young Investigator Award

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers Haythornthwaite Young Investigator Award is granted to outstanding early career faculty for key research in in theoretical and applied mechanics.

Ryan Harne

Ruike Zhao


DARPA Young Faculty Award

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Young Faculty Award is granted to outstanding faculty in junior research positions to fund research in areas of national security.

Hanna Cho


Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Young Investigator Award

Raymond Cao


NASA Early Career Faculty Award

The NASA Early Career Faculty Award is granted to outstanding early career faculty for key research in areas of science, space travel and exploration that is effective, sustainable and affordable.

Ran Dai


ONR Young Investigator Award

The Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award is granted to outstanding early career faculty for key research to aid the Department of the Navy’s Science and Technology.


Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)

The PECASE Award is granted to recent recipients of the CAREER Award on the basis of two criteria: 1) innovative research relevant to the mission of the NSF, and 2) community service demonstrated through scientific leadership, education or community outreach.