The IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) has issued its 5th annual call for proposals for astronomy-for-development projects. The IAU has earmarked approximately €110 000 per year for OAD projects.

This is an open call for project proposals, with individual project grants ranging from about €500 to about €15 000. Proposals for projects that use astronomy as a tool to address issues related to sustainable development are eligible for consideration and anyone from anywhere in the world may apply for funding.

The selection process will take into account the qualifications and experience of the individuals in the team. Full proposals should be submitted by 15 September 2016.

The three focus areas of the call are:

1. Astronomy for Universities and Research
2. Astronomy for Children and Schools
3. Astronomy for the Public

This year the approach has been to simplify the call process for both proposers and reviewers alike, and to incorporate greater involvement from the nine OAD regional offices. In this spirit, the online forms are now much shorter, and basic matching of selection criteria and scoring to specific questions is explained and is publicly accessible as part of call text.

More information

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 10 000 professional astronomers from almost 100 countries. 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.

Links

• OAD website
• Call for proposals page

Contacts

Kevin Govender
Director, IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD)
Tel: +27 21 460 9350
Cell: +27 82 487 8466
Email: kg@astro4dev.org

Lars Lindberg Christensen
IAU Press Officer
Garching bei München, Germany
Tel: +49 89 320 06 761
Cell: +49 173 38 72 621
Email: lars@eso.org