Student Programs

Student Observing Support

The NRAO maintains a fellowship program to support astronomical research by graduate and undergraduate students at U.S. universities and colleges. This program is intended to strengthen the proactive role of the Observatory in training the next generation of scientists and telescope users.

Summer Students

NRAO has summer positions available through the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program and other research positions. Our summer student program has had more than 1,000 participants since 1959. Under the supervision of an NRAO staff member, each student is given a project that may involve any aspect of astronomy, including original research, instrumentation, telescope design, or software development. These projects often result in scientific publications. Summer programs are available for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Grote Reber Doctoral Fellowships

 The Grote Reber Doctoral Fellowship Program enables Ph.D. students in the final years of their thesis to conduct research at one of the NRAO sites under the supervision of an Observatory advisor. The program is jointly sponsored by the Observatory and by the student's home university. The program supports thesis projects in radio astronomy, radio instrumentation, or computational techniques.

Post-Bacc Fellowships

 The NRAO/GBO Post-Baccalaureate Fellowship Program is a new initiative in 2023 for students in between their undergraduate and graduate educations. The program provides research experience and support to students intending to strengthen their applications to Ph.D. programs in astronomy or a related field. The student will work on site either in Socorro, NM, Charlottesville, VA, or Green Bank, WV on a research project under the guidance of a scientific staff mentor. Appointments may last from 9 to 12 months. The program supports research projects in radio astronomy and related fields.

Graduate Student Researchers

 The NRAO maintains a program to support students who are in the early years of a graduate student program at their university -- most often in their first or second year of graduate studies -- and who are interested in pursuing research in radio astronomy, instrumentation, or areas of electrical engineering or computer science closely related to radio astronomy observing techniques or data analysis.

Co-Op Education & Undergrad Research Positions

 The NRAO Co-op program allows undergraduate and graduate co-op students in engineering, applied physics, or computer science to fulfill their co-op degree requirements at NRAO by working closely with NRAO technical staff on projects at the technological forefront in radio astronomy instrumentation.

The NRAO Doctoral Dissertation Award

 NRAO/AUI has established “The NRAO Doctoral Dissertation Award” to be given each year to a recent recipient of a doctoral degree from any recognized degree granting institution in the United States.

Robert L. Brown Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award

This award program has concluded.

The Robert L. Brown Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award was administered by Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) and the NRAO on behalf of Bob Brown’s friends and family to honor Bob’s life and career. The Award was given to a recent recipient of a doctoral degree from any recognized degree granting institution in the United States, and was substantially based on new observational data obtained at any AUI operated facility and considered to be of an exceptionally high scientific standard value and impact within and beyond the area of study. The Award was given from 2015 – 2022, and consisted of $1000, a framed certificate, and an invitation to give a lecture at the NRAO.

Connect with NRAO

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..."

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.