source: IAU
The IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) has released its 2023 Call for Proposals for projects that aim to use astronomy to make an impact on sustainable development.
The mission of the OAD is to further the use of astronomy, including its practitioners, skills and infrastructures, as a tool for sustainable development globally. The call for proposals, open to anyone from anywhere in the world (regardless of background in astronomy), is conducted in two stages. In Stage 1, open until May 31, proposers are asked to submit a brief application on their project idea which will be scored by an independent panel of reviewers based on defined criteria.
Selected proposals will be invited to submit a more comprehensive Stage 2 application. During Stage 2, teams will work closely with the OAD, its Regional Offices where applicable, and other experts, who will provide feedback to improve the application. Based on these engagements, proposers may modify their Stage 2 application and submit by September 15. The revised Stage 2 applications will be scored by the reviewers who will make recommendations on projects to be funded. After final approval from the OAD Steering Committee, applicants will be notified of the results.
Projects selected through this call will be implemented in 2024. The call includes Themes identified by the OAD based on the experience of previous projects, input from Regional Offices, and issues of current relevance.
Any applicants who lack training or experience in writing proposals can request Proposal Writing support from the OAD. Applicants will be matched up with an astronomer or other expert who will guide and advise the applicant.
For queries, email info@astro4dev.org. The deadline for Stage 1 applications is May 31, 2023.
About the IAU and OAD
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is an organisation that brings together about 12 000 astronomers from around the world. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world’s largest professional body of astronomers. Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them.
The IAU established the Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) in partnership with the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa. The OAD was officially opened on 16 April 2011 at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Cape Town, South Africa. As of 2023, the OAD has administered more than €1,000,000 in grant funds, awarded to 200 projects across the world. Since its establishment the OAD has negotiated the establishment of eleven regional offices around the world (based in Armenia, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Jordan, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Thailand, USA and Zambia) with two of these offices serving as a joint language centre (Chinese and Arabic), and one serving as a dedicated language centre (Portuguese).
Links
- 2023 Call for Proposals: astro4dev.org/cfp/
- Proposal Writing Support: https://www.astro4dev.org/cfp/support-to-proposers/
- Background on Astronomy for Development: https://www.astro4dev.org/getting-started/
- Online course on Astronomy for Development: http://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/course/view.php?id=3071
- Previously Funded Projects: https://www.astro4dev.org/projects-search/
- IAU website: iau.org
Contacts:
Ramasamy Venugopal
IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
Tel: +27 21 460 9309
Email: rv@astro4dev.org
Lars Lindberg Christensen
IAU Press Officer
ESO ePOD, Garching, Germany
Tel: +49 89 3200 6761
Cell: +49 173 3872 621
Email: lars@eso.org