Program

The Office of Science of the Department of Energy has been running the Early Career Research Program (ECRP) since 2010.  This funding opportunity is for researchers early in their careers and with research topics that supports the mission of Office of Science in the following areas*: Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR); Biological and Environmental Research (BER); Basic Energy Sciences (BES), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES); High Energy Physics (HEP), Nuclear Physics (NP), Isotope Research and Development (R&D) and Production (DOE IP); and Accelerator R&D and Production (ARDAP).

This is a very prestigious award.  The process of applying for this award invites early career scientists to think strategically about their long term plans and how these plans fit into program goals of the Lab and the DOE Office of Science.

For additional information, visit:

DOE Office of Science Early Career Research Site

Eligibility

• Full-time SLAC PhD staff
  • Cannot be a fixed term appointment. Postdoctoral Scholar, Research Associate or Project Scientist are not eligible.
  • Associate staff scientists are eligible because of an exception granted by DOE.  
• For the 2023 and 2024 award cycles, received PhD within last 12 years from the year of the funding opportunity announcement. (PhD years no earlier than 2010 and 2011 respectively)
• For cycles after 2024, received PhD within last 10 years from the year of the funding opportunity announcement.  
• Candidates limited to a total of 3 submissions of final full proposal packages
• At SLAC, application must receive endorsement from management chain and must identify a SLAC senior scientist to work with as a mentor.

Funding

• Award is about $500,000 per year for five years for a total of about $2.5M
• Limited to one award per awardee

High Level Timeline 

Timing of the Early Career Award funding opportunity call has been in the fall.  The exact date varies every year.  At a very high level, the timeline would like this:

• Month X - Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued in the fall
• Month X - ECA Workshop 
  • SLAC Office of Chief Research Officer (OCRO ) kicks off the annual application process with a two hour long ECA workshop.  All eligible PhDs will receive an email invitation to this kick off.   The workshop provides an overview of the Early Research program and the SLAC internal processes and deadlines.  Past awardees are at the workshop to share their ECA experiences with a focus on tips, strategies, challenges and lessons learned.  
• Due in 1 month after the FOA announcement 
  • Submission for required pre-application
• Due in 3 months from the announcement
  • Submission for final application

Past Recipients

Resources

OCRO Early Career Award Kick Off Meetings  Links  (SLAC Only)

DOE Office of Basic Energy Sciences - Early Career Network Grant Writing Webinar Links  (SLAC Only)

OCRO Early Career Award Kick Off Meeting 2022 (SLAC Only)