Welcome to the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
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
Recent News:
A big moment for Africa: why the MeerKAT – and astronomy – matter
OAD Call for Proposals 2018 underway
Inauguration of European Regional Office of Astronomy for Development
OAD Yearbook 2017 published
Read the latest OAD Newsletter
The Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) is a joint project of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) with the support of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
The mission of the OAD is to help further the use of astronomy, including its practitioners, skills and infrastructures, as a tool for development by mobilizing the human and financial resources necessary in order to realize the field’s scientific, technological and cultural benefits to society. This is primarily implemented through funding and coordinating projects that use Astronomy as a tool to address issues related to sustainable development. Since 2013, more than 120 projects have been funded through the annual Call for Proposals. The OAD also engages in a number of activities on its own.
The OAD has established Regional Offices and Language Centres around the world who share the OAD vision but focus their activities within a geographic or cultural or language region.
The funded projects for 2018 are currently under way. Browse the map for all the IAU-OAD funded projects to date (from 2013 – 2018):