Gene Shoemaker Near-Earth Object Grants
Forecasted
The Gene Shoemaker Near-Earth Object Grants fund astronomers worldwide to improve the detection and study of near-Earth asteroids, advancing planetary defense through enhanced observations.
Funder: The Planetary Society
Due Dates (Anticipated): May 2027
Funding Amounts: Typical award: $6,000–$13,000 per grant; total program funding varies by cycle
Summary: Supports amateur and underfunded professional astronomers worldwide in finding, tracking, and characterizing near-Earth objects to advance planetary defense.
Key Information: This is a forecasted opportunity; all dates are projected and may change.
Description
The Gene Shoemaker Near-Earth Object (NEO) Grants, administered by The Planetary Society, fund amateur and underfunded professional astronomers globally to enhance the discovery, tracking, and physical characterization of near-Earth asteroids. Established in 1997 and named in honor of pioneering planetary scientist Gene Shoemaker, this program empowers the small observatory community to contribute vital observations, improve planetary defense, and reduce the risk posed by hazardous asteroids. Awards are typically used for hardware upgrades or automation to improve observing capabilities, especially for telescopes with apertures over 60 cm at dark-sky sites. The program has supported astronomers in over 23 countries, resulting in hundreds of thousands of critical asteroid observations submitted to global databases.
