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Apply to be a 2021 Global Sky Partner

Apr 29, 2021

One of the 0.4m telescopes in the LCO educational network

Las Cumbres Observatory is pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for new educational partners, Global Sky Partners, with projects to run between 1 August 2021 - 31 July 2022.

Do you want to become a Global Sky Partner?

We are looking for people and groups with interesting, engaging, and innovative ideas for educational projects in astronomy. We are particularly interested in programs that will provide science engagement through astronomy for underserved populations anywhere in the world.  If you have a really good idea that you think is appropriate for LCO, we will be happy to discuss that possibility with you and even help you get your project started.

For more information about the current and past partners, please see our Global Sky Partners pages.

We are looking for:

  • Projects that make use of LCO’s unique capabilities, which include our global network of telescopes and scheduling software. Projects which involve monitoring of astronomical events or following up on recent astronomical discoveries are particularly suitable.
  • Projects targeting underserved audiences. This can be in the developing world, or under-resourced  communities in the developed world that are not typically engaged by main-stream programs.
  • Medium-sized or large groups. If your audience size is less than ~20, you may have a more structured experience by joining an existing Global Sky Partner program. Please contact us if you have questions about program size.
  • Formal or informal education projects. Projects are not limited to ones directly related to school curriculum. Original research projects involving students and purely science communication projects are also of great interest.

How to apply

Application and reporting process

  • Please read the application guidance notes below
  • Complete our online application form (you will need an LCO Observing Portal account)
  • Application deadline is 23:00 UTC on 13 June 2021
  • Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of astronomy and astronomy education experts during June 2021
  • Announcement of education partners: Start of July 2021
  • Projects will be allocated observing time for use between 1 August 2021 - 31 July 2022
  • You will be required to submit a short report on the progress of your project by 1 February 2022 and a final report by 1 August 2022.

More information

Full guidance on writing a proposal can be found in our Becoming a Global Sky Partner web page.