As the successor of the successful Women and Girls in Astronomy Week held in 2019, the Women and Girls in Astronomy Program (WGAP) will inspire and support women, girls, and underrepresented genders in the field of astronomy. Implemented by the North American Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (NA-ROAD) and the International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Outreach, the program will target aspiring astronomers and current professionals alike, establishing a network to uplift, educate, connect with, and provide opportunities to women and girls.
Our goal is to make a significant impact in communities with limited or no access to astronomy by funding development projects and creating a diverse network of professionals.
The Women and Girls in Astronomy Program is looking to fund ten projects that use astronomy for development activities to promote, support, and uplift women and girls in the field. Qualifying projects must align with at least one of the NA-ROAD’s five Strategic Goals and take place in Canada, United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, or Greenland. Projects are encouraged to approach astronomy from a unique lens, including, but not limited to, scientific, social, technical, cultural, and artistic perspectives.
Proposals must be submitted through the Google Form provided, and answer four key questions, specifying the following details regarding the proposed project:
- Clear vision and goals for the project
- Identify the target audience; eg. girls in rural academic settings in the Caribbean, career transition and development for women in Mexico
- Outline how the project plans to support the target audience and complete the project by December 1, 2023
- An organized budget, with projected expenses for materials and/or travel
Chosen projects will be awarded with $1,000 USD mini-grants and project leaders will join the WGAP network as WGAP Fellows. This network is composed of industry and academic professionals who are willing to support women and girls in astronomy, while facilitating connections between women and girls in astronomy.
WGAP Fellows are responsible with maintaining direct communication with the Women and Girls in Astronomy Coordinator. This communication includes providing project updates, attending milestone meetings, and connecting with WGAP network mentors for guidance. The project year will conclude with a presentation highlighting each funded project, in which WGAP Fellows will have the opportunity to present their outcomes and discuss their contributions to advancing women and girls in astronomy.
The deadline for project proposals is April 16th, at 11:59 PM EDT.
Submit your project through this Google Form: https://forms.gle/Uaf18hq1FkPYS62n7
Grant recipients will be notified in early May.
Questions? Email wgap@aui.edu
We are thankful to the Heising-Simons Foundation for supporting the NA-ROAD Women and Girls in Astronomy Program.