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

 

Kevin Govender, Director of the OAD, becomes the first South African to receive the prestigious Edinburgh Medal jointly with the International Astronomical Union. Read the Press Release

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. Since then nine regional offices have been established in Armenia, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Jordan, Nigeria, Portugal, Thailand and Zambia. In 2012 the open annual Call for Proposals was launched for each of the OAD’s focus areas: Universities and Research (TF1); Children and Schools (TF2); and Public Outreach (TF3).

 2016 Call for proposals is now LIVE! 

The funded projects for 2015 are currently under way. Browse the map for all the IAU-OAD funded projects to date (for 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 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, and which you are welcome to subscribe to.

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