The purpose of this office is to use astronomy to make the world a better place – and thus realise the vision of the IAU Strategic Plan

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is the largest body of professional astronomers in the world and has set up the Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) in partnership with the South African National Research Foundation (NRF). The OAD was officially opened on 16th April 2011 at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Cape Town, South Africa. The first major workshop of stakeholders was held from 12 to 14 December 2011. Since then three Regional Nodes, one Language Expertise Centre and three Task Forces have been established. In 2012 the first open Call for Proposals was launched for each of the task forces: Universities and Research (TF1); Children and Schools (TF2); and Public Outreach (TF3). You can read more about the office in the OAD’s 2014 brochure here.

The funded projects for 2014 are currently under way. The call for proposals for projects to be implemented in 2015 will open on 1 July 2014. Browse the map below for all the IAU-OAD funded projects to date (use the Visible Layers button to toggle between years 2013 & 2014, and the upper right button to share!):

To learn more about the history and activities of the OAD through the many progress reports since the ratification of the IAU Strategic Plan in August 2009 please view our reports page. You will also find links there to our quarterly newsletter which was launched in April 2013, and which you are welcome to subscribe to.

Visit the Media page for a 3 minute video overview of the OAD.