Heising-Simons Foundation Astronova Fellowship

Heising-Simons Foundation Astronova Fellowship is sponsored by Heising-Simons Foundation. Supports promising postdoctoral scientists to revolutionize the fields of astronomy and astrophysics, cosmology, and planetary science through the development of cutting-edge astronomical instrumentation.

Astronomical Innovation (Astronova) Fellowship - Heising-Simons Foundation Unlocking knowledge, opportunity, and possibilities Sustainable Work Practices The Heising-Simons Foundation focuses its grantmaking in five program areas International Human Rights Day 2025 The Foundation seeks to support organizations and institutions at the forefront of their fields Grantmaking By the Numbers For Interested Grantseekers Read the latest updates from the Foundation Astronomical Innovation (Astronova) Fellowship Inaugural Astronova Fellows The Heising-Simons Foundation’s Science program is pleased to announce Christina Vides, Ph.

D. , and Aafaque Khan as the inaugural class of Astronova Fellows. Click to read their full profile.

Dr. Vides will significantly advance her research in aperture masking interferometry. First, she will develop data-reduction pipelines that convert raw observations from the Keck Observatory’s new SCALES instrument into scientifically reliable data. Mr. Khan will create Aspera’s first ultraviolet maps of the circumgalactic medium while advancing the detector technology needed for next-generation space telescopes.

This includes developing Skipper CCDs—sensors that achieve sensitivity down to individual photons. Launched in 2026, the Heising-Simons Foundation’s Astro nomical In nova tion (Astronova™) Fellowship provides support for promising postdoctoral scientists to revolutionize the fields of astronomy and astrophysics, cosmology, and planetary science through the development of cutting-edge astronomical instrumentation.

The Astronova™ Fellowship seeks to launch fellows into tenure-track faculty positions where they can continue their pioneering instrumentation research, as well as mentor and train the next generation of astronomical instrumentalists. The fellowship is also meant to uplift the field of instrumentation and increase its visibility, prestige, and the recognition of its contributions to scientific discovery.

What Are the Core Components of the Astronova Fellowship? The Astronova™ Fellowship includes funding for salary, benefits, and a discretionary fund over a four-year term with an optional one-year extension. We understand that instrumentation research often takes longer than observational or theoretical work.

A longer timeframe provides Astronova Fellows with the opportunity to make significant progress on their projects, publish more scientific papers, and build a stronger platform with which they can apply to faculty positions.

Beginning in year two of the fellowship period, fellows will have the opportunity to apply for an additional Innovation Grant (up to $150,000) to pursue an early-stage, risky, or otherwise hard-to-fund instrumentation concept or component of their own design. If awarded, this will allow fellows to have a larger leadership role in a project and help them grow into faculty-ready instrumentalists.

In addition, fellows who obtain a faculty or research position during their fellowship are eligible to apply for a new grant to be used to augment their startup package.

Finally, the Foundation’s Science program will organize an annual research summit for Astronova Fellows, faculty advisors, and other leaders in astronomical instrumentation, in addition to providing opportunities for instrumentation-specific professional development and networking with their peers. Who Are the Host Institutions?

Astronova Fellows are expected to carry out a strong, coherent research program at a selected host institution. For the 2026-2027 application cycle, research must be pursued at one of the six following host institutions: Carnegie Science (CA or DC campus) W. M.

Keck Observatory (Hawai’i) University of California, Berkeley University of California, San Diego University of California, Santa Cruz Why is the Heising-Simons Foundation Launching a Postdoc Fellowship Program in Astronomical Instrumentation? Breakthroughs in our understanding of the universe are often enabled by innovations in the scientific instruments we use to make astronomical observations.

Since its inception, the Foundation’s Science program has supported the development of novel instrumentation for astronomy. With the Astronova™ Fellowship, we are able to support the pipeline of talent entering and staying in that field.

We believe that a postdoctoral fellowship program specifically crafted for the needs of instrumentalists will address the most pivotal career stage for retention and have the biggest potential impact on the field. Information for Applicants The Heising-Simons Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 Astronova™ Fellowship class. Applications are due by October 2, 2026, at 2pm Pacific Time.

A preview of the online application form can be found here . Learn more about Dr. Christina Vides and Aafaque Khan , the inaugural Astronova Fellows. Information for Applicants Apply now to be an Astronova Fellow.

Deadline: October 2, 2026, 2pm PT. Eligibility criteria, application preview , guidelines , FAQs , and application information Questions? Email [email protected] .