IAU Opens 2024 Call for Proposals to Promote Sustainable Development

ann24012 — Announcement

29 April 2024

The IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) has released its 2024 Call for Proposals for projects that aim to use astronomy to progress sustainable development. This annual call supports the OAD’s mission to further the use of astronomy, including its practitioners, skills and infrastructures, as a tool for sustainable development globally.

The call for proposals, which is open to anyone from anywhere in the world, regardless of background in astronomy, is conducted in two stages. In Stage 1, open until 31 May, proposers are asked to submit a brief application on their project idea. This 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 15 September. 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 2025. 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 then be matched up with an astronomer or other expert who can provide advice and guidance on the process.

Any queries can be sent by email to: info@astro4dev.org. The deadline for Stage 1 applications is 31 May 2024.

About the IAU and OAD

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 12 000 active professional astronomers from more than 100 countries worldwide. Its mission is to promote and safeguard astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, 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 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 over 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).