CALL FOR PROPOSALS
for projects relating to Task Force 2: Astronomy for Children and Schools
to be implemented in the 2013 Calendar Year
1.Introduction
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) established the global Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) in order to fulfil the IAU’s 10 year Strategic Plan. This plan aims to realise the global developmental benefits of astronomy.
The OAD is tasked with establishing and strategically coordinating Regional Nodes (ROADs) and Language Expertise Centres (LOADs) across the world as well as three Task Forces, namely (i) Astronomy for Universities and Research, (ii) Astronomy for Children and Schools, and (iii) Astronomy for the Public. The bulk of the implementation of projects is to be carried out by volunteers, coordinated by the Task Forces with the support of the OAD. The OAD will source the necessary funding beyond available IAU funds.
Task Force 2 (Children and Schools) was established in May 2012 and is now calling for projects relevant to this area of astronomy for development. More information about the OAD and its activities can be found at www.astro4dev.org.
2.Call for Proposals
The IAU has earmarked a minimum of €80 000 to support projects and activities related to all three Task Forces. Task Force 2, through the OAD, now issues this open call for proposals to access this funding. Proposals which are not funded through this process but which are ranked by the Task Force to be significantly important will go onto a “wish list” for which the OAD will continue fundraising efforts.
In general proposals should seek to align with the IAU’s 10 year strategic plan, with specific focus on Astronomy for Children and Schools. Some examples of such activities (as documented during the OAD Stakeholder Workshop in December 2011) are:
i.Teacher training and development
ii.Resource development and vetting
iii.Produce guidelines and support for using robotic telescopes for school projects
iv.Explore distance learning options applicable to school level education
v.Involve education research community to inform all activities and determine evaluation guidelines and possible accreditation options
vi.Establish reference group for curriculum evaluation
vii.Support existing networks for education
viii.Explore mobile education options
ix.Conduct study on the value of astronomy training
x. Any other relevant projects not mentioned here
All proposals should be submitted via the Application Form which can be downloaded below.
3.Funding Conditions
i.Proposals for 2013 are invited in 3 categories:
Small projects up to a maximum of €1000 per proposal.
Medium projects up to a maximum of €5000 per proposal.
Large projects up to a maximum of €10000.
ii.Only completed application forms will be considered.
iii.The term of a successful proposal is a maximum of 12 months starting on 1st January 2013.
4.Selection Criteria
The following criteria will be considered in the selection of projects.
i.Alignment with the goals of IAU’s 10 year strategic plan:
Raising the level of astronomy development in as many countries as possible, so as to maximize the size of population reached
Working to include aspects of astronomy as aids to the primary and secondary education of as many children as possible.
ii.Quality and relevance of content.
iii.Clear timeline indicators.
iv.Cost effectiveness of the project including a detailed budget.
v.Potential to raise funds from other sources.
vi.Range of stakeholder participation (e.g. partnerships with schools / universities / industry / government)
vii.Degree of impact of the project with potential for sustainability.
viii.Description of how the effectiveness of project will be evaluated
ix.Evidence of due diligence in incorporating relevant results / lessons / research from similar/related projects
5.Proposal Evaluation
The proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by the members of the Task Force and recommendations will be submitted to the IAU Development Oversight Committee. Allocations will be made by the IAU based on the TF recommendations.
6.Proposal Requirements
All proposals must be submitted in completed application forms and sent by email to proposals@astro4dev.org. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the proposal has been received in order by the OAD. All proposals received will be acknowledged by email.
7.Closing Date
The deadline for submitting proposals is 23:59 UTC on Sunday, 30th September 2012. All applicants will receive feedback during December 2012 for projects to be implemented in the 2013 calendar year.
8.Enquiries:
Please direct enquiries to Kevin Govender (Director OAD), preferably by email at kg@astro4dev.org. Alternative contact information:
Telephone: +27 (0) 21 460 6297; Fax: +27 (0) 21 447 3639; Mobile: +27 (0) 82 487 8466; Website: www.astro4dev.org; Skype: kevindran; Twitter: @govender; Postal address: P.O. Box 9, Observatory, 7935, South Africa; Physical address: SAAO, Observatory Road, Observatory, 7925, South Africa.
Downloads:
TF2 Call for Proposals 2012 (.pdf)
TF2 Application Form 2012 (.pdf)
TF2 Application Form 2012 (.doc)
Although English is the working language of the OAD, we will be happy to arrange translations of the call and documents if you need it. Please contact Kevin Govender (kg@astro4dev.org) if you would like to request a translation
Même si l’anglais est la langue utilisée au bureau d’astronomie pour le développement (OAD), nous mettons volontiers à disposition des traductions des documents d’appel d’offre si vous en avez besoin. Veuillez prendre contact avec Kevin Govender (kg@astro4dev.org) si vous avez besoin d’une traduction.
Aunque la OAD trabaja mayoritariamente en inglés, nos ofrecemos a organizar traducciones para la convocatoria de propuestas y documentos relacionados. Para solicitar una traducción, por favor póngase en contacto con Kevin Govender (kg@astro4dev.org).
Несмотря на то, что рабочим языком для OAD является английский, мы готовы организовать перевод документов, если Вы нуждаетесь в этом. Пожалуйста, свяжитесь с Kevin Govender <kg@astro4dev.org>, если Вам необходим перевод документов
虽然英语是OAD的工作语言，但是如果您需要翻译成所需语言的文件，我们将很高兴为您提供翻译服务。如果需要翻译，请用电子邮件与Kevin Govender联系 (kg@astro4dev.org)。
على الرغم من أن اللغة الإنجليزية هي لغة العمل فيOAD، إلا أننا سنكون سعداء
بالقيام بترجمة الدعوة والوثائق إذا كنت في حاجة إليها.
يرجى الاتصال بـ كيفين غوفيندر (Kevin Govenderkg@astro4dev.org) إذا كنت ترغب في طلب ترجمة.
Embora Inglês seja a língua oficial do OAD, traduções para Português do formulário e das regras podem ser requisitadas. através do email kg@astro4dev.org