IAU OAD Call for COVID-19 Related Proposals
Friday, 24 April, 2020
The Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) was established by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) - the largest body of professional astronomers in the world - in partnership with the South African National Research Foundation (NRF). OAD's mission is to help further the use of astronomy as a tool for development.
OAD has launched a fast-track Call for COVID-19 Related Proposals. The call is inviting ideas for projects or partnerships that in some way use an aspect of astronomy (including skills, methodologies, tools, infrastructure, inspiration or networks of astronomers/enthusiasts) to overcome the coronavirus pandemic or deal with its negative effects on society.
Examples of projects are:
- Assist teachers to deliver STEM lessons online.
- Conduct or assist with surveys/analyses that local governments may need to understand outbreaks.
- Provide hand washing stations or PPE to schools/universities that are operating/about to operate.
- Coordinate online hackathons in partnership with disease specialists.
- Use astronomy compute infrastructure to process data from disease specialists.
- Use technology to support NGOs in the delivery of food parcels.
- Develop systems to monitor the health status of older people during social isolation.
Any individual or team can apply for funding; there are no nationality or residency restrictions. The spirit and principles of OAD's usual Annual Call For Proposals will be maintained, especially the need to work with partners/experts in the field.
Up to €1,000 (20,000 ZAR (South African Rand)) is available for individual projects. More may be given in certain circumstances. The grant amount may either be paid as a cash grant or in kind, depending on the nature of the project.
Applications must be submitted by the deadline of 15 May 2020.
After this initial call, a decision will be taken about whether to issue another deadline.
More information about this research funding opportunity and the application process is available on the RESEARCHconnect funding information platform. RESEARCHconnect provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on research funding news and policy. To find out more about how RESEARCHconnect can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.