Funded Projects in 2026

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