The North American Regional Office of Astronomy for Development is proud to present the Women and Girls in Astronomy Program

The Women and Girls in Astronomy Program (WGAP) inspires and supports women, girls, and underrepresented genders in the field of astronomy. The program, implemented by the NA-ROAD, targets aspiring astronomers and current professionals alike to establish a network to uplift, educate, connect with, and promote astronomy for development in women and girls.

WGAP held a Call for Projects in 2023 and 10 selected projects were funded with support from the Heising-Simons Foundation. The ten unique astronomy for development projects took place throughout North America and completed in December 2023. The projects were aimed at addressing and challenging the underrepresentation of women and girls in astronomy from a variety of perspectives. Read about the WGAP 2023 projects. Read the July 21, 2023 press release here.

The 2024 call for proposals is now open, see below, and ten new proposals will be selected for a $2,000 mini-grant.

We are thankful to the Heising-Simons Foundation for supporting the NA-ROAD Women and Girls in Astronomy Program.

2024 Call for Proposals

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 1 through 5, 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.

2024 chosen projects will be awarded with $2,000 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 extended deadline for project proposals is now March 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM EDT, to be submitted through this Google Form.

Proposals must answer four key questions, specifying the following details regarding the proposed project.

  • Proposals should have a clear vision and goals for the project.
  • Identify the target audience; e.g. 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, 2024.
  • An organized budget, with projected expenses for materials and/or travel.

Grant recipients will be notified in late March.

Questions? Email wgap@aui.edu

We are thankful to the Heising-Simons Foundation for supporting the NA-ROAD