RIO's NSF CAREER Commit-to-Submit Writing Program
Are you considering submitting an NSF Faculty Early Career Development Program (NSF CAREER) award proposal in 2026? Do you feel ready to submit a CAREER proposal at this point in your faculty appointment? RIO’s NSF CAREER Commit-to-Submit Writing Program can help get you there.
Led by Proposal Writer/Editor Diane Carillo, this program is designed to support your proposal development from start to finish through individual/one-on-one writing and proposal development coaching, optional peer writing groups, and red team reviews.
Participants will learn the ins and outs of writing a competitive NSF CAREER proposal with the goal of submitting a strong proposal by the deadline.
Note: This program is for CU Boulder faculty only.
RIO’s 2026 NSF CAREER Kickoff
RIO kicked off the 2026 NSF CAREER Commit-to-Submit Writing Program on February 11th with a virtual workshop designed to help eligible assistant professors better understand what it takes to develop a competitive NSF CAREER proposal. The session combined practical guidance, introductions to campus resources, and opportunities for peer connection to support informed decision-making.
Kickoff workshop topics
- An overview of CAREER requirements, expectations, and common questions
- Insights and advice from previous NSF CAREER award recipients
- Introductions to Broader Impacts and education support resources available at CU Boulder
- Opportunities to identify and connect with potential peer writing group members
- Support in thinking through readiness and next steps
RIO’s NSF CAREER Commit-to-Submit Writing Program
Participants receive structured, individualized support throughout the CAREER proposal development process, including:
- Individual CAREER proposal planning meetings focused on readiness, strategy, and timeline development
- Writing exercises and feedback, completed individually or in optional peer writing groups
- Access to sample funded CAREER proposals and sample Department Chair letters
- Introductions to campus resources supporting Broader Impacts and educational components
- Review of at least two full drafts, including a first draft and a near-final draft
- Ongoing coaching and consultation through the NSF CAREER deadline (July 22)
Faculty interested in participating in the Commit-to-Submit Writing Program should contact Diane Carillo at diane.carillo@colorado.edu by March 27, 2026.
Please note: College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) faculty should contact Susan Day (susan.day@colorado.edu) for NSF CAREER proposal development support. CEAS faculty are encouraged to attend RIO’s NSF CAREER Kickoff Workshop and are welcome to participate.
Broader Impacts & Educational Component Support
CU Boulder’s Broader Impacts Network (BIN) provides a central campus resource connecting faculty with partners, tools, and support to develop and implement meaningful Broader Impacts. BIN brings together a range of on-campus partners and resources, searchable by audience, program type, and discipline.
RIO also partners with the following campus resources to provide specialized expertise supporting Broader Impacts and educational components for NSF CAREER proposals:
- Alex Rose, Broader Impacts Manager, Science Communication and Outreach Specialist, CU Science Discovery
- Tanya Ennis, Director of Research Impact and Engagement, Research and Innovation Office
- Carrie McDougall, Director of the CIRES Center for Education, Engagement and Evaluation (CEEE)
Additional NSF CAREER Resources
- NSF Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) Page
- NSF CAREER FAQs 2022-2026
- Recordings and Materials from RIO's Previous NSF CAREER Programming
- List of prior NSF CAREER awardees at CU Boulder