Results of the 2016 Annual Call for Proposals

ann17009 — Announcement

9 February 2017

The IAU- Office of Astronomy for Development’s (OAD) fifth annual call for proposals has concluded and 20 projects have been selected to receive funding in 2017.

The call for proposals received a total of 127 expressions of interest which were reviewed by the OAD and its regional offices, who provided feedback with suggestions for collaborations and improvements. The OAD then received 103 full applications by the deadline of 15 September 2016. The three Task Forces reviewed all the completed applications and submitted recommendations to the Steering Committee, which approved the final list of projects. The total amount that will be granted to the funded projects will be €106 207.

Task Force 1: Astronomy for Universities and Research

Task Force 1 received 28 applications, requesting a total of €279 657. The following nine projects have been offered funding for implementation during the 2017 calendar year:

Task Force 2: Astronomy for Schools and Children

Task Force 2 received 50 applications, requesting a total of €539 455. The following six projects have been offered funding for implementation during the 2017 calendar year:

Task Force 3: Astronomy for the Public

Task Force 3 received 25 applications, requesting a total of €255 526. The following five projects have been offered funding for implementation during the 2017 calendar year:

The OAD has compiled a ‘Recommended list’ of project proposals that were approved by the reviewers but could not be funded. Browse through the Recommended List and contact us for more details or to support one or more projects.

More information

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together about 12 000 distinguished astronomers from around the world. 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. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world’s largest professional body for astronomers.

The IAU established the Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) in partnership with the South African National Research Foundation (NRF). The OAD was officially opened on 16 April 2011 at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Cape Town, South Africa. It is tasked with the implementation of the IAU Strategic Plan including the establishment of regional offices and three astronomy-for-development Task Forces.