The International Astronomical Union’s Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD) has concluded its 14th annual call for proposals and 18 projects have been selected to receive funding in 2026 to use astronomy to further sustainable development. Five of these projects will receive funding from the Development in Africa through Radio Astronomy (DARA) project under the UK Science and Technologies Facilities Council.
The OAD has also compiled a list of Recommended Projects that were approved by the reviewers but could not be funded by the IAU. Browse the list of Recommended Projects and contact us for more information.
List of funded projects in alphabetical order
| Title |
Target Countries |
| Astro Tourism for Development: Storytelling, Science, and Socio-Economic Growth in South Africa
(funded by Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy Project (DARA) through the UK’s Science and Technologies Facilities Council)
|
South Africa |
| Astronomy for All: Inspiring kids of Determination |
Egypt |
| Black Girls in Physics and Astronomy |
Canada |
| Bridging the gap between High School and University Science
(funded by Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy Project (DARA) through the UK’s Science and Technologies Facilities Council)
|
South Africa |
| EcoAstroBD: Nurturing Knowledge, Creativity, and Environmental Responsibility Through Astronomy in Bangladesh. |
Bangladesh |
| enSEÑAme astronomía |
Mexico |
| Hands-on Basic Space Science and Astronomy Training for Secondary School Science Teachers |
Nigeria |
| Indigenous Astronomy in Climate Change Adaptation among the People of Gwembe valley in Southern Zambia
(funded by Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy Project (DARA) through the UK’s Science and Technologies Facilities Council)
|
Zambia |
| Inspiring STEM Engagement through the Support of Astronomy Programs in Primary School in Kisumu County in Kenya |
Kenya |
| Kalaw Astro Youth Camp: Inspiring Sustainable Futures through Astronomy and STEM |
Myanmar |
| Right to the Sky |
Argentina |
| Siguiendo la Cruz del Sur (Following the Southern Cross) |
Chile |
| Starlight Bridges: Community Astrotourism through the ARTEMIS Space Observatory, in Karpenisi–Evrytania regional unity. |
Greece |
| Starry Safaris | Astrotourism for Development Project in Arusha, Tanzania |
Tanzania |
| Stars for the Future. A Community Planetarium in Antímano for Sustainable Development and Scientific Appropriation. |
Venezuela |
| Stars Offering HOpe (SOHO): Using Astronomy to Support Mental Well-being in Uganda’s Refugee Camps |
Uganda |
| STELLAR Integrated STEM Awareness & Innovation Programme
(funded by Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy Project (DARA) through the UK’s Science and Technologies Facilities Council)
|
South Africa |
| The East African Astronomical Society Workshop
(funded by Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy Project (DARA) through the UK’s Science and Technologies Facilities Council)
|
Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda |
