Astronomical Sciences Innovations (Astro-Innovations)
Astronomical Sciences Innovations (Astro-Innovations) supports the U.S. astronomical community through larger science projects, facilities, and shared capabilities to advance research and expand access.
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Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: Rolling (Full proposals accepted anytime)
Funding Amounts: 1–3 Astro-Innovations awards anticipated; $100 million anticipated across all MPS Astro programs
Summary: Supports larger astronomical science projects, mid-scale facilities, infrastructure development, and capabilities that expand U.S. community access.
Key Information: Contact a program officer before developing a proposal to confirm suitability and fiscal-year funding availability.
Description
Astronomical Sciences Innovations (Astro-Innovations), administered by NSF’s Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, supports a small number of larger activities across the research areas of MPS Astronomical Sciences. Its four categories cover limited-term science projects, longer-term mid-scale facilities, development for future facilities, and community open-access capabilities. The program complements Major Research Instrumentation and bridges the gap to Mid-Scale Research Infrastructure, supporting science use and operations as well as infrastructure development.
The program emphasizes scientific merit, innovative and potentially transformative research, and student training and workforce involvement in instrumentation, facility development, or data management. It encourages new technologies, techniques, and concepts addressing pressing problems, including those identified in decadal surveys. Projects should demonstrate benefits to the U.S. astronomical community through access to facilities, observing time, data, software, or shared technology.
