**UPDATE: Deadline for applications is now extended to August 31, 2023.
NA-ROAD is looking for a short-term consultant that can assist with the development of funding proposals to support the NA-ROAD vision and mission.
Details of the award responsibilities are below, along with the requirements for creating and submitting a proposal. Applications are due to by 11:59 submitter local time on August 31, 2023.
Fundraising Consultant
The mission of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) North American Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (NA-ROAD) is to further the use of astronomy, including its practitioners, skills and infrastructures, as a tool for sustainable development by mobilizing the human and financial resources necessary in order to realize the field’s scientific, technological and cultural benefits for society.
The NA-ROAD is a collaboration including Adler Planetarium in Chicago IL, Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) in Washington, D.C., Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) in Washington, D.C., Geneva Lake Astrophysics and STEAM Education, (GLAS) in Williams Bay, WI, and the Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) in Cape Town, South Africa. The NA-ROAD serves the United States and U.S. Territories, Canada, Mexico, Greenland, and the island nations of the Caribbean.
We are currently looking for an individual that can assist with the development of funding proposals to support three projects including:
Women and Girls in Astronomy Program: The Women and Girls in Astronomy Program is funding ten projects that use astronomy for development activities to promote, support, and uplift women and girls in the field. Each project is receiving a $1,000 mini grant funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation. Projects 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. Projects are listed here: https://naroad.astro4dev.org/women-and-girls-astronomy-program/
Making Astronomy Accessible for All: The goal of Accessible Astronomy Software for All is to provide an astronomy image analysis software tool, training, and user support for individuals in high-needs areas and traditionally underrepresented groups. Afterglow Access, a product of the NSF-funded IDATA project is a web-based astronomy image analysis tool that can be used by individuals (middle school and up) to view and analyze astronomical images. In addition, the software tool is, in part, blind and visually impaired accessible, and is available free via any web browser. Further, the software tool is being made available in both English and Spanish.
Zooniverse: Zooniverse.org, the world’s largest platform for people-powered research, is a collaboration between Chicago’s Adler Planetarium, the University of Oxford, the University of Minnesota, over 2.5 million volunteers, and hundreds of researchers around the world. Zooniverse projects result in new discoveries, policy impacts, numerous publications, and datasets useful to the wider research, education, and advocacy communities. Proposals in support of this effort will focus on funding programming that increases awareness within our region and globally of Zooniverse as a research tool, as a tool for economic development, and as a tool for science diplomacy, and training and support for teams in our region and globally using these tools.
Dates: We anticipate the consultant to begin in August 2023 and complete their work by December 31, 2023.
Scope of Work:
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- Identifying possible funders for the three focus projects (listed above),
- Reach out to potential funders to determine funding proposal requirements and appropriateness of projects,
- Advise the NA-ROAD Governing Council (GC) on prioritization of funders and proposal submission,
- Draft, in consultation with the GC, specific language for funding proposals,
- Assist with securing letters of support for funding proposals,
- In consultation with the GC, prepare full proposals for submission to funding agencies, and
- Regularly update the GC with progress being made.
A remote work arrangement will be considered.
Compensation: hourly consulting rate will be commensurate with experience.
Proposal Guidelines: AUI requests offerors submit the following pieces of information in their proposal:
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- Narrative proposal/cover letter of no more than two pages describing your approach to the Scope of Work.
- Current Curriculum Vitae or resume highlighting relevant knowledge, skills, and experience. It should also highlight any fundraising or fund development experience you have had.
- Anticipated and maximum cost provided on a Time and Material basis
- Up to three references (optional)
How to Apply: Submit a proposal to Ms. Yasmin Catricheo at ycatricheo@aui.edu (with a copy to Ms. Shannon Wright at swright@aui.edu) no later than 11:59 PM (your local time) on July 31, 2023.
Evaluation Process and Selection Criteria: All proposals will be reviewed promptly and AUI may, at its sole discretion, schedule follow-up interviews using Microsoft TEAMS. AUI anticipates selecting a consultant on a “best-value” basis that will provide the highest quality service at a reasonable cost.
Contract Expectations: AUI anticipates issuing a Time and Materials contract for a single 3-6 month engagement period. As portions of this contract may be supported by both U.S. Government as well as non-governmental funds, the public policy requirements of 2 CFR 200 Appendix II may apply.