Travel Support for NRAO Observing Runs and Data Reduction for Non-NRAO Employees

Summary

For each observing program scheduled on an NRAO telescope, reimbursement may be requested for one of the U.S. investigators to travel to the NRAO to observe and/or plan for observations, or to reduce data. Reimbursement may be requested for a second U.S. investigator provided they are a graduate or an undergraduate student. Students must be enrolled at a U.S. University, working on an approved observing program. In addition, first-time visits by students to the NRAO-NM site must be accompanied by an advisor or collaborator on the project, or alternatively an NRAO collaborator may be requested. NRAO will, in some cases, provide travel support to the Observatory for research on archival data. The reimbursement will be for the actual cost of economy airfare, up to a limit of $1000, originating from within the U.S. including its territories and Puerto Rico (or mileage for a personal vehicle, if that is demonstrated to cost less). Costs of lodging in NRAO facilities can be waived on request in advance and with the approval of the relevant site director. No reimbursement will be made for other ground transportation or meals.

Eligibility

To qualify, the U.S. investigator must not be employed at a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) or its sponsoring agency. Exceptions are possible (eg, investigators early in their careers); contact  to request an exception. The NSF maintains a master government list of some FFRDCs at http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf06316/.

Reimbursement

The U.S. investigator should:

  • Complete an NRAO Outside Observer Travel Authorization and Expense Voucher, available from the office of the relevant site director.
  • Have the Voucher approved by the relevant site director.
  • Upon completion of the authorized travel, submit the Voucher and original ticket receipts to the U.S. institution's travel office.

The U.S. institution should:

  • Request reimbursement to it by submitting the Voucher and original ticket receipts to the NRAO Fiscal Office indicated on the Voucher.
  • Make its request within 30 days of the completion of the authorized travel.

 

Connect with NRAO

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

Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on 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. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The National Science Foundation (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..."

AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.