The NSF staff serve the community through facilities management and Astronomical research awards to investigators.

Forefront Research

The Astronomy division participates in 65 solicitations supporting many different aspects of astronomical research, education and outreach. In FY 2017 the Astronomy division made $60.43 Millon in research awards, plus $4.83 Million in Early Career Awards. The major research awards program is the Astronomy and Astrophysics Grants solicitation.

The NSF astronomy facilites are located in many states in the US, plus on most continents, including the South Pole. The NSF operates some of the finest reserach facilities in the world. Along with many other facilites, the some of the Astronomy faciliites are highlighted in a recent Report.

NSF Map of Facilities

The map of NSF facilities features the Astronony and Astrophysics observatories. The map also shows many of the international collaborations fostered by the NSF.

These facilities are featured in many reports and Press Releases.

New Instrumentation

An important part of the Astronomy Division's effort is supporting research in new instrumentation. Several different soliciations request proposals for different research projects. These include:

Diverse Communities and Ideas

The NSF Astonomy division seeks participation from all segments of the population.

Outreach

Volunteer as a Proposal Review Panelist!

Reviewing proposals is a great way to learn the Astronomy Community's research priorities. Reviewing proposals also aids investigators in learning how compelling proposals are written.

Covid-19 Rapid Response Proposals?

Please contact the NSF Astronomy Division staff if you have ideas that can aid in the reponse to the COVID-19 crisis.

Video: Home Radio Telescopes in Operation

Also please contact us if you have ideas on how Astronomy Research and Outreach efforts can aid Universities and Colleges in restarting. Ideas for remote research lab activities are particularly welcome. One remote lab project is student construction radio telescopes. An AAS webinar shows live operation of a home radio telescope. In the webinar, Glen Langston describes a collaboration with Sue Ann Heatherly, Sophie St. George (GBO), Kevin Bandura, Pranav Sanghavi and Evan Smith (WVU). The presentation is rather large. A compressed version is available here.