NRAO Call for Proposals: Semester 2026A

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) invites scientists to participate in the Semester 2026A Call for Proposals for the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT), and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), High Sensitivity Array (HSA), and Global mm VLBI Array (GMVA).

The submission deadline for Semester 2026A proposals is Wednesday, 30 July 2025, at 17:00 EDT (21:00 UTC).

For the VLA, the A and D-configurations will be available. It is anticipated there will be around 3,600 hours on the VLA, 2,100 hours on the GBT, and 650 hours on the VLBA available for science observing. Opportunities for Joint proposals will be available for ALMA, JWST, HST, Swift, Chandra, XMM-Newton, NICER, and IXPE. Joint Proposals with ALMA or JWST need to be submitted to the facility requesting the larger amount of observing time.

View the Complete Semester 2026A Call for Proposals.

VLA+VLBA to ngVLA Transition Plan Report

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The preliminary transition plan described in the new report presents a reduction that would enable the VLA and VLBA to conduct high-profile science during the construction of the ngVLA in the context of a reduced science portfolio.

Read the new report (arXiv: 2501.06333) assembled by the Transition Advisory Group (TAG).

Cosmic AI Conference

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In early May, NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins (CosmicAI) brought together leading voices in astronomy and artificial intelligence (AI) for the 2025 Cosmic Horizons Conference, a three-day event held May 6-8, 2025, at the University of Texas at Austin. The conference explored the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and astronomy research. Conference sponsors included the National Science Foundation (NSF), Simons Foundation, and the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences.

Read more...

International Microwave Symposium

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The NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory Central Development Laboratory (NSF NRAO CDL) discussed technology innovation and development at the 2025 International Microwave Symposium conference.

Read more...

Recent Press Releases

NRAO Media Press

View all NRAO Media Releases at the NRAO public website.

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The NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory and NSF Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Founded in 1956, the NSF NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NSF NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NSF NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NSF NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (U.S. NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."

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