[U.S. National Science Foundation](https://www.nsf.gov/)

October 1 – November 17, 2025 (Annual window)

~$50,000,000 total annually | ~100 awards per year | Standard or continuing grants

Supports research grants for observational, theoretical, laboratory, and archival studies in astronomy and astrophysics, including projects and tools that enable or enhance astronomical research.

--- ## Description The Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Grants (AAG) program provides flexible funding opportunities for research in the astronomical sciences. The program supports individual investigators and collaborative teams conducting observational, theoretical, laboratory, and archival data studies in astronomy and astrophysics. It also considers proposals for projects and tools that enable or enhance astronomical research. Proposals may span multiple disciplines and utilize various techniques but must clearly demonstrate an astronomical context. The program encourages a broad range of research, including: - Extragalactic astronomy and cosmology - Galactic astronomy - Planetary, exoplanetary, and solar astronomy - Stellar astronomy and astrophysics Special opportunities exist for proposals from primarily undergraduate institutions (RUI) and for computational and data-enabled science and engineering (CDS&E) projects. Proposals that primarily exploit NASA data should be submitted to NASA unless a clear justification is provided for NSF support. --- ## Due Dates - **Submission Window:** October 1 – November 17, 2025 (due by 5 p.m. submitter's local time) - This window recurs annually. --- ## Funding Amount - **Estimated Total Program Funding:** ~$50,000,000 annually (pending availability of funds) - **Number of Awards:** Approximately 100 per year - **Award Types:** Standard or continuing grants - **Cost Sharing:** Not required; voluntary cost sharing is prohibited --- ## Eligibility - **Who May Apply:** Eligibility is broadly unrestricted, but unaffiliated individuals may not submit proposals. - **Eligible Organizations:** As defined in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), typically includes colleges, universities, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, and government entities. - **PI/Co-PI Restrictions:** No restrictions on who may serve as PI or co-PI; no limits on the number of proposals per organization or per investigator. --- ## Application Process - **Submission Platforms:** Proposals may be submitted via [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov/) or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/). - **Proposal Preparation:** Must follow the current NSF PAPPG or the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide, as applicable. - **Letters of Intent/Preliminary Proposals:** Not required. - **Full Proposals:** Must be submitted during the annual window. Collaborative proposals from multiple organizations must use Research.gov. Applicants are strongly advised to review the solicitation ([NSF 22-624](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/aag-astronomy-astrophysics-research-grants/nsf22-624/solicitation)) and the current [NSF PAPPG](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) for detailed requirements. --- ## Additional Information - **Merit Review:** Proposals are evaluated based on NSF's criteria of intellectual merit and broader impacts. - **Special Opportunities:** RUI and CDS&E proposals are welcome if they meet AAG requirements. - **Supplemental Funding:** Requests for REU, RET, ROA, and other supplements can be included in new or renewal proposals, or as supplements to existing awards (see solicitation for deadlines and details). - **Build America, Buy America Act:** All materials and products used in funded projects must comply with U.S. sourcing requirements. --- ## External Links - [AAG Program Solicitation (NSF 22-624)](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/aag-astronomy-astrophysics-research-grants/nsf22-624/solicitation) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) - [NSF Division of Astronomical Sciences](https://www.nsf.gov/AST) - [Research.gov Submission Portal](https://www.research.gov/) - [Grants.gov Submission Portal](https://www.grants.gov/) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Role | Email | Phone | |----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------| | Hans A. Krimm (AAG Program Lead) | [hkrimm@nsf.gov](mailto:hkrimm@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-2761 | | Andreas A. Berlind (EXC Lead) | [aberlind@nsf.gov](mailto:aberlind@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-5387 | | Jacqueline Keane (GAL, PLA Lead) | [jkeane@nsf.gov](mailto:jkeane@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8123 | | Gioia Rau (SAA Lead) | [grau@nsf.gov](mailto:grau@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8729 | | NSF Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | | | NSF Help Desk | [rgov@nsf.gov](mailto:rgov@nsf.gov) | 1-800-381-1532 | | Grants.gov Contact Center | [support@grants.gov](mailto:support@grants.gov) | 1-800-518-4726 | For additional program officers and their contact information, see the [AAG program page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/aag-astronomy-astrophysics-research-grants/nsf22-624/solicitation).

Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Grants

Sign in to see full grant listing