Heising-Simons Astronomical Innovation (Astronova) Letter of Recommendation Form

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

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

Questions? Reach out to astronova@hsfoundation.org.
About Letters of Recommendation
Thank you for submitting a letter of recommendation for an applicant to the Astronova Fellowship. 

Astronova Letters of Recommendation 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.

All selected host institutions will see the same letter of recommendation so please do not mention specific host institutions in your letters.

Please use the filename convention:
ApplicantFirstName_ApplicantLastName_LetterWriterLastName.pdf

These letters should be submitted from the letter-writer directly to the Foundation via the below form by February 27, 2026 at 2pm PT.
Letter-Writer Contact Information



We will send a confirmation email to this email address once the upload is submitted.
Applicant Contact Information



We will send a confirmation email (without a copy of the uploaded letter) to the applicant upon your submission so they know the letter was received.
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