Grants Application

Every year, the OAD invites proposals for projects that use Astronomy as a tool to address challenges related to sustainable development. Individuals and organisations anywhere in the world are invited to propose projects that relate to astronomy-for-development. The proposed project should address a problem or challenge related to development and should use astronomy as a tool to address this problem. Projects are encouraged to think about how astronomy could be used to further progress in relation to some UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The OAD has identified gaps in the field of astronomy that projects are encouraged to address. For example, there is a lack of material and methods for teaching basic mathematics, statistics, engineering, programming using astronomy, material on cultural aspects of astronomy, and research reviews on what works in projects typically funded by the OAD. The IAU earmarks approximately €110,000 per year for this open call for project proposals, with individual project grants generally ranging between €500 and €15,000. In the first five cycles of the Call, a total of € 7,460,844 was requested for astronomy-for-development projects. Of the proposals received, the OAD granted € 515,364 to 106 projects.

More information on the Call for Proposals on the OAD website: http://www.astro4dev.org/aboutiauoad/cfp/