What's New in 24A?

  • Proposal Deadline Dates. Starting in 24A, the deadline dates will be the closest Wednesday to 1 February (B semesters) or 1 August (A semesters).  For example, the 24A deadline date will be Wednesday, 2 August 2023 at 17:00 EDT and for 24B, the deadline will be Wednesday, 31 January 2024 at 17:00 EST.
  • Large Proposals. Proposals requesting 200 hours or more are considered Large.  Starting in 24A, the page limit for the scientific justification of Large proposals will be reduced from 10 pages to 6 pages.  We strongly encourage the community to submit Large Proposals and large time requests for regular proposals to maximize scientific impact.
  • Director's Discretionary Time.  Proposals that are time critical or request target of opportunity observations that require the flexibility to allocate observing time on short notice should be submitted as DDTs.  Also, we strongly encourage the community to submit DDT requests for high-risk-high-reward investigations or exploratory time to test new, innovative ideas.  DDTs can also be submitted in support of Education and Public outreach.  Starting with the announcement for the Call for Proposals for 24A, the page limit for the scientific justification of DDTs will be reduced from 4 pages to 2 pages.
  • NICER. Starting in 24A, joint proposals may be submitted requesting time on the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER).  A maximum time of 250 ksec can be allocated per year on NICER.
  • Users' Policies.  The NRAO users' policies have been reviewed and updated by the science support and research department.  All users' policies are located off the NRAO science website here.  The policies listed at this new location supersede policies listed elsewhere.

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.