NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships
NSF AAPF funds individual postdoctoral fellows in astronomy and astrophysics to conduct up to three years of independent research plus a coherent education plan at eligible host institutions.
RESTRICTED TO: INDIVIDUALS FELLOWSHIP
⚑ Award is to the individual fellow, not the host institution. · Host institution must be eligible; U.S. institutions of higher education may host, but do not submit the proposal. · Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident and within the post-PhD time window. · International host sites allowed only if operated by U.S.-eligible organizations; NASA/DOE-funded sites are ineligible hosts.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 45 partial | technical depth: central; funds training education (capped) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 15 none | deep-tech content; no commercialization signal |
| IPPRA | 13 none | outside portfolio topics; social/behavioral work is none; funds training education, not research (capped); university can only partner, not lead |
Description
NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships provide an opportunity for highly qualified, recent doctoral scientists to carry out an integrated program of independent research and education. Fellows may engage in observational, instrumental, theoretical, laboratory or archival data research in any area of astronomy or astrophysics, in combination with a coherent educational plan for the duration of the fellowship. The program supports researchers for a period of up to three years with fellowships that may be taken to eligible host institutions of their choice. The program is intended to recognize early-career investigators of significant potential and to provide them with experience in research and education that will establish them in positions of distinction and leadership in the scientific community.
Eligibility
*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: - NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships are awards to individuals; proposals are submitted directly by the fellowship candidate to NSF. Each proposer must identify one or more scientific mentor(s) and host institution(s) at the time of proposal submission. Prospective Fellows may propose to hold the fellowship at:
<ul> <li>U.S. institutions of higher education,</li> <li>NSF-funded centers, facilities, orinstitutes,</li> <li>U.S. non-profit organizations with research and educational missions, or</li> <li>International sites that are operated by U.S. organizations eligible for NSF funding, such as the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, Cerro Tololo InterAmerican Observatory, or Gemini South.</li> </ul>
National centers, facilities, sites, or institutes funded by other federal agencies, such as NASA or the U.S. Department of Energy, are ineligible as host institutions for the NSF AAPF Program.
*Who May Serve as PI:
Fellowships are awarded to individuals. The fellowship candidate submits their proposal directly to NSF.
An individual is eligible to submit a proposal to the NSF AAPF Program if all of the following criteria are met:
<ul> <li>The proposer is a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident (Green Card Holder)of the United States.</li> <li>The proposer has earned the doctoral degree in an appropriate scientific field within five (5) years prior to the proposal submission deadline or will complete the doctoral degree by 1 October following the proposal deadline.</li> </ul>
<span>By signing and submitting the proposal, the fellowship candidate is certifying that they meet the eligibility criteria specified in this program solicitation. Willful provision of false information in this request and its supporting documents or in reports required under an ensuing award is a criminal offense (U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001).</span>
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: U.S. National Science Foundation <grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · National Science Foundation conventions SEE AN NSF EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — National Science Foundation's document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.