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Note: The following program summary is for informational purposes only. Always review the most recent version of the sponsor’s full announcement to verify that the deadline and requirements have not changed. 

ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ the program 

A cross-directorate NSF program specifically aimed at providing protected time and resources to established scientists and engineers targeted at the mid-career (Associate Professor rank or equivalent) stage who wish to substantively advance their research program and career trajectory.

A key component of a success is demonstrating that the PI's current research program could substantively benefit from the protected time, mentored partnership(s), and resources provided through this special program, i.e., leading to a substantial enhancement to the PI's research and career trajectory and enabling scientific and academic advancement not likely without this support.

The MCA fosters innovation by supporting synergistic and mutually beneficial partnerships [1] to catalyze convergence across different disciplines or sub-disciplines. Scientists at the Associate Professor rank (or equivalent) are freer than their more junior colleagues to pursue bold and innovative research ideas, but at the same time, are often more constrained due to increased service and teaching responsibilities that can hamper scientific productivity. MCA support is expected to help lift these constraints and reduce workload inequities.

Eligibility 

PIs must be a) at the Associate Professor rank (or equivalent and b) at that rank for at least 3 years by the proposal submission date.

The collaborative partner(s) may not be listed as co-principal investigator(s) on the cover page. Instead the partner(s) should be designated as senior personnel or consultants and must provide a Letter of Collaboration.

Participating programs in the Directorates for Biological Sciences (BIO), Geosciences (GEO), Engineering (ENG), Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE), and Education and Human Resources (EHR) will accept MCA proposals. PIs are encouraged to discuss the suitability of their MCA proposal with a program officer from the appropriate directorate (see ).

Award Info 

Funds are to support the mid-career researcher*:

• Protected Time (salary): Up to a total of 6.5 months of salary plus fringe over the course of the grant (3 years), not each year, and
• Resources (direct costs): $100,000.00 in support of the research and training plan.

*Also included in $100K allotment: a) up to 1 month of summer salary for a collaborative partner; (in lieu of summer support for the Partner, other reasonable costs may be considered), and b) funds to cover the cost of attendance of the candidate to a 2-day awardee meeting during the first and final years of the award; costs for one Partner to accompany the PI could be included during the first or last year, but not both.

Relocation costs allowable: part of the $100,000.00 for direct costs in support of the research advancement and training plan of the MCA may be used to support temporary relocation costs.

Application deadline 

2022: Feb. 07, 2022; annually thereafter 

Program Page with Solicitation, FAQ, and Summaries of Recent Awards: