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, October 2, 2026.

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









Applicant Degree, Institution, and Advisor Information



NOTE: Applicants must receive their PhD between 1/1/2022 and 12/31/2027. 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:
  • Each Application Packet should contain the following:
    • Cover Sheet (NOT cover letter; please see instructions in the sections below)
    • Proposed Host Institution Rationale (max 1 page)
    • Science Research Proposal (max 5 pages, including references and figures)
    • Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages)
    • Summary of Previous and Current Research (max 1 page)
    • Contributions Towards Building a Stronger Field (max 2 pages)
    • Career Goals (max 250 words)
  • 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 packet may not exceed 10MB
  • Each application PDF should use the following file naming convention:
    LastName_FirstName_HostInstitutionName. For example, rubin_vera_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
  • The title of your Astronova Science Research Proposal
  • The name of your proposed host institution for this application packet
  • The name of your proposed faculty mentor for this application packet
Note that this is NOT a cover letter. The cover sheet should simply list the above items with no other text.
2. 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. 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.

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.

Each Rationale should:
  • State the proposed faculty mentor's name at the top of the document.
  • Describe how the environment at the host institution would support your proposed research. For example: potential collaborators and mentors on the faculty; access to unique facilities; scientific collaborations or expertise; and any other institutional resources available to you.
  • Describe how the environment at the host institution would support your proposed activities to build a stronger field. For example: institutional or regional organizations or initiatives, collaborators, training opportunities, etc.
  • Describe how your desired career trajectory will be positively impacted by spending time at that host institution. If you are proposing to stay at your current institution, please address how that choice impacts the preparation for your future goals.
  • Describe any customization of your research proposal and building a stronger field statement based on the host institution. For example, would you emphasize or reprioritize different aspects of your planned activities, add/drop activities, or adjust timelines? 
  • PLEASE DO NOT STATE YOUR INSTITUTIONAL RANKING IN YOUR RATIONALE.
3. 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 scientific motivation for your research project. What specific problems or questions are you addressing? Why are they important? How does this scientific motivation lead to your proposed instrumentation research? 
  • Describe your proposed instrumentation research. What technical challenges or advancements are you addressing? Why is your proposed work important? What distinguishes your approach as compared to other current activity in the field? What is your specific role in the project and what is done in collaboration with others? 
  • Outline the anticipated activities, necessary resources, 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. 

Note that applicants should NOT discuss plans for the Innovation Fund in this proposal, and any proposed research should not be contingent upon the receipt of such funds.

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.
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 that embraces and celebrates a wide range of perspectives, where all people can thrive.

The purpose of this part of the application is to identify applicants who have demonstrated past experiences and future plans for building a stronger field of astronomical instrumentation through (a) leading initiatives that promote inclusivity and support historically underrepresented groups in the field, and (b) mentorship and/or teaching that is inclusive and accessible to all.

Your statement should include two sections:
  1. Achieving equity, expanding inclusion, or enhancing diversity;
  2. Formal or informal mentorship and/or teaching that is inclusive and accessible to all.
Both of these sections should address:
  • Your past experience or interest in these topics/activities (e.g., activities you have undertaken or led). Discuss the context, your role, and the impact. You may also discuss any successes, challenges, learning opportunities, and outcomes that have come from those experiences.
  • Your future plans as an Astronova fellow. Be as specific as possible, and realistic about your level of effort and time commitment.
You may wish to contextualize what informs your approach to building a stronger field with, e.g., your background, personal history, interests, formative experiences, challenges, sources of inspiration, research findings, etc.

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.
7. Career Goals (max 250 words)
Please write a paragraph stating your long-term career goals and motivation for those goals. 
Packet Upload

Max file size 10MB

Max file size 10MB
Certifications


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


Applicants must list a tenure-track faculty member or permanent research staff as their primary research mentor.


Applicants must list a tenure-track faculty member or permanent research staff as their primary research mentor.
Science Research Proposal Title
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 3) described in your application packet. This abstract should be broadly understandable to an interdisciplinary committee.

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. If the applicant is proposing to stay at their current institution for the Astronova Fellowship, only ONE letter-writer may be from that institution; the other letter-writer must be from an external institution. 

These letters should be submitted from the letter-writer directly to the Foundation via the following link no later than October 2, 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 
  • An evaluation of the proposed 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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