Heising-Simons Astronomical Innovation (Astronova)
Fellowship Application

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Page 1

About the Fellowship
To learn more about the Astronova Fellowship, please visit this link.

This application is open until 2pm Pacific Time, February 27, 2026.

Questions? Reach out to astronova@hsfoundation.org.
Applicant Contact Information









Applicant Degree, Institution, and Advisor Information



NOTE: Applicants must receive their PhD between 1/1/2021 and 12/31/2026. Exceptions due to extenuating circumstances (i.e., family or medical leave that extend this window by up to one year) may be granted on a case-by-case basis. Please email astronova@hsfoundation.org.


If you are currently in a post-PhD position, please complete the following:





Page 2

Application Packet Requirements
General:
  • The Application Packet should contain the following:
    • Cover Sheet
    • Science Research Proposal (max 5 pages, including references and figures)
    • Proposed Host Institution Rationale (max 1 page)
    • Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages)
    • Summary of Previous and Current Research (max 1 page)
    • Contributions Towards Building a Stronger Field (max 2 pages)
  • You are required to upload an Application Packet containing all components listed above for each desired host institution as a single PDF. 
  • If you will be applying to two host institutions, keep in mind that all components in each application PDF must be the same except for the Proposed Host Institution Rationale.

Formatting Guidelines:
  • All components (excluding CV) should have 1-inch margins; 12-point font; single-spacing; and numbered pages.
  • Any components in the PDF packet that go beyond the stated page limit will be truncated to meet the page limit.
  • Each application PDF should use the following file naming convention:
    FirstName_LastName_HostInstitutionName. For example, vera_rubin_darkmatterinstitute.pdf
Each PDF must include the following components in this order.
1. Cover Sheet
The cover sheet should list:
  • Your first and last name
  • Your PhD degree-granting institution
  • Your PhD discipline
  • The date your PhD was completed or is expected to be completed
  • If you are currently in a post-PhD position, it should also include the name of your current institution
2. Science Research Proposal (max 5 pages including all text, figures, and references)
All applicants are required to develop and submit a research proposal for a four-year fellowship term. The proposal narrative should:
  • Describe the overall goals and objectives of your research project. What specific problems or questions are you addressing? Why are they important?
  • Discuss how the research compares to, contrasts with, or complements other current activity in the field. What distinguishes your approach?
  • Give a general outline of the anticipated activities, timelines, and key milestones.
  • Describe any project risks and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Describe the short-term research outcomes during the fellowship term, as well as the long-term outcomes beyond the fellowship term. How will your work impact the field and influence your future research directions?
Please Note: You will be asked to submit an abstract (350-word max) of this research proposal towards the bottom of this form.

Keep in mind that your proposals may be evaluated by scientists that are not in your direct area of expertise. While we recognize that certain details in your proposal may be best appreciated by experts in your field, please make the research proposal broadly understandable to an interdisciplinary committee.

For applicants who choose to submit applications to multiple host institutions, the Science Research Proposal should be the same across both application packets. Any institution-specific differences should be noted in the Proposed Host Institution Rationale.
3. Proposed Host Institution Rationale (max 1 page)
Applicants may select and rank up to two participating institutions as possible hosts for their Astronova Fellowship research. The Foundation encourages applicants to take a holistic approach and select institutions by carefully weighing scientific, professional, and personal considerations. You will submit your ranking in the next section below.

For each ranked institution, please provide a one-page rationale about how you and your research fit at that institution. The Foundation encourages you to reach out to potential collaborators and faculty mentors at each host institution to help specialize research ideas and maximize the potential for success.

Applicants should include only ONE host institution rationale per PDF. If applying to two host institutions, applicants need to submit two PDFs, with each PDF including one rationale.

Each Rationale should:
  • State the proposed faculty mentor's name at the top of the document.
  • Describe the environment at the host institution and how it would support you and your fellowship research. For example: potential collaborators and mentors on the faculty; access to unique facilities; scientific collaborations or expertise; plans for contributing to an inclusive and equitable environment, mentorship or teaching opportunities, and any other institutional resources available to you scientifically, professionally, or personally.
  • Describe any customization of your general research proposal based on the host institution. For example, would you emphasize different aspects of your research; reprioritize activities and adjust timelines; drop certain research activities or add new ones?
  • PLEASE DO NOT STATE YOUR INSTITUTIONAL RANKING IN YOUR RATIONALE WRITE-UPS.
4. Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages)
The CV should include educational background, work/research experience, and a list of publications and presentations. You are encouraged to also list technical skills related to astronomical instrumentation that demonstrate your training and expertise.
5. Summary of Previous and Current Research (max 1 page)
The summary should describe research you have previously completed and are currently conducting. Please summarize your research methods, sources, major findings, and impact on the field. Explain how these experiences have prepared you for your proposed fellowship project. You are welcome to provide information that contextualizes your research and achievements relative to your personal or professional circumstances and opportunities. 
6. Contributions Towards Building a Stronger Field (max 2 pages)
The Heising-Simons Foundation is dedicated to fostering an environment where all people can thrive and that embraces and celebrates a wide range of perspectives. The purpose of this part of the application is to identify applicants who have (a) demonstrated personal experiences, professional skills, and/or a commitment to leading initiatives that promote inclusivity and support historically underrepresented groups in the field of astronomy/astrophysics, and (b) a track record or demonstrated interest in, experience with, and plans for future mentorship and/or teaching that is inclusive and accessible to all.

Here, you can provide thoughtful, specific, and actionable ideas for fostering a stronger instrumentation field and pipeline. Activities described in this section could include (but don't need to cover all):
  • Any programs for underrepresented communities you have participated in and/or any activities you have undertaken that work towards achieving equity, expanding inclusion, or enhancing diversity. Please be specific about the context, your role, scope or level of effort, and the impact.
  • Any formal or informal mentorship and/or inclusive teaching activities you have participated in or led, and any successes, challenges, learning opportunities, and outcomes that have come from those experiences.
  • How you plan to contribute to building a stronger field as an Astronova Fellow, including activities you would pursue and how they would fit into your chosen academic community. Be as specific as possible, and realistic about your level of effort and time commitment.
  • Your long-range career plan and goals for teaching, mentoring, and promoting inclusivity in the field and evidence of activities or commitments to date that supports this intent. Be as specific as possible, and realistic about your level of effort and time commitment.
  • Your background, personal history, interests, formative experiences, major challenges, sources of inspiration--anything that is not already covered in your application materials that informs your approach to teaching, mentoring, and fostering an inclusive environment and promoting equitable practices in astronomy and astronomical instrumentation. 
A strong statement will focus on both your past activities toward teaching, mentorship, and fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment as well as your future plan for doing so as an Astronova Fellow.

Note that future activities and programs specific to a particular host institution should be described in that host institution's rationale document and not in this statement.
Packet Upload

Max file size 30MB

Max file size 30MB
Certification

Additional Information
Rank Institutions
Please indicate your ranked host institution choices:


Science Research Proposal Abstract (350 words)
Please write a short abstract of your proposed science research for the four-year fellowship term. This abstract should reflect the science research proposal (component 1) described in your application packet.

Page 3

Demographic Information
This optional demographic information is kept confidential and is not reviewed until after the applicants have been selected. It is used solely as a retrospective data point to help the Foundation evaluate its outreach efforts and ensure the Astronova Fellowship is communicated to a diverse range of individuals. Information provided in this section may be shared with the participating host institutions, Foundation staff, and consultants after the selection process is complete. Aggregated demographic statistics may be presented to the public via the Foundation website and other means. 

Providing this information is entirely voluntary and does not affect an applicant's eligibility for the Astronova Fellowship. Please click "decline to state' if you do not wish to participate in this section.







Letters of Recommendation
Applicants should arrange for two letters of recommendation to be submitted by individuals who are familiar with their scientific abilities and achievements. These letters should be submitted from the letter-writer directly to the Foundation via the following link no later than February 27, 2026 at 2pm PT: 

https://hsfoundation.tfaforms.net/f/AstronovaLOR


Letters can be from the applicant's PhD or postdoc advisor, a senior collaborator, or a scientific mentor. Letters of recommendation should include:
  • The nature of the recommender's relationship to the applicant
  • The applicant's qualifications, initiative, and achievements relative to their circumstances and opportunities
  • An evaluation of the proposed research and contributions towards building a stronger field
Letters must be no more than three pages in length including salutation and signature. Any additional pages will be discarded. Letters must also be in 12-point font, single-spaced, and include page numbering.

Before requesting a letter of recommendation, applicants should discuss with their letter-writers the fellowship opportunity, the content of their application packet, and the letter submission process and deadline. 

Please note: Because all selected host institutions will see the same letter of recommendation, applicants should also advise their letter-writers not to mention specific host institutions.


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