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Closes in 7 daysOpportunity 22-621

NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF)

U.S. National Science Foundation

At a glance

NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF) is an open federal grant opportunity from U.S. National Science Foundation. Applications are due October 15, 2026. Individual awards are listed as from $110K, with about 9 awards expected and $990K in total estimated funding. Applicant types listed as eligible include others (see notice). Cost sharing is not required. It is funded under Assistance Listing 47.049 (Mathematical and Physical Sciences).

Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.

Key facts

Posted
Jul 27, 2022
Close date
Oct 15, 2026
Archive date
Nov 14, 2027
Award floor
$110,000
Award ceiling
Not specified
Est. total funding
$990,000
Expected awards
9
Cost sharing
Not required
Funding instrument
Grant
Opportunity category
Discretionary

Who can apply

  • Others (see notice)

Additional information on eligibility (from the notice)

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships are awards to individuals; proposals are submitted directly by the fellowship candidate to NSF. Each proposer must identify one or more scientific mentor(s) and host institution(s) at the time of proposal submission. Prospective Fellows may propose to hold the fellowship at: U.S. institutions of higher education, NSF-funded centers, facilities, or institutes,  U.S. non-profit organizations with research and educational missions, or International sites that are operated by U.S. organizations eligible for NSF funding, such as the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, Cerro Tololo InterAmerican Observatory, or Gemini South. National centers, facilities, sites, or institutes funded by other federal agencies, such as NASA or the U.S. Department of Energy, are ineligible as host institutions for the NSF AAPF Program. *Who May Serve as PI: Fellowships are awarded to individuals. The fellowship candidate submits their proposal directly to NSF.  An individual is eligible to submit a proposal to the NSF AAPF Program if all of the following criteria are met: The proposer is a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident (Green Card Holder) of the United States. The proposer has earned the doctoral degree in an appropriate scientific field within five (5) years prior to the proposal submission deadline or will complete the doctoral degree by 1 October following the proposal deadline. By signing and submitting the proposal, the fellowship candidate is certifying that they meet the eligibility criteria specified in this program solicitation. Willful provision of false information in this request and its supporting documents or in reports required under an ensuing award is a criminal offense (U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001).

Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.

What it funds

Official synopsis as published by the agency, formatted for readability.

NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships provide an opportunity for highly qualified, recent doctoral scientists to carry out an integrated program of independent research and education. Fellows may engage in observational, instrumental, theoretical, laboratory or archival data research in any area of astronomy or astrophysics, in combination with a coherent educational plan for the duration of the fellowship. The program supports researchers for a period of up to three years with fellowships that may be taken to eligible host institutions of their choice. The program is intended to recognize early-career investigators of significant potential and to provide them with experience in research and education that will establish them in positions of distinction and leadership in the scientific community.

Additional information from the agency ↗

Assistance Listing

What is an ALN?

Reported obligations under ALN 47.049

Historical data · not a prediction
FY24$1.54B
FY25$1.54B
FY26$512M est.
Source: SAM.gov Assistance Listing 47.049. Program-wide totals, not awards from this specific opportunity.

Agency contact (as published)

U.S. National Science Foundation
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
703-292-4203

Quick answers

When is the deadline for “NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF)”?

According to the official notice, applications are due October 15, 2026. Confirm the deadline and submission time on Grants.gov before applying.

Who is eligible to apply for “NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF)”?

The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible: Others (see notice). Additional restrictions may apply; review the full notice.

How much funding is available through “NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF)”?

Per the notice, individual awards are listed as from $110k, total estimated program funding is $990,000 and the agency expects to make about 9 awards.

How do I apply for “NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF)”?

Applications are submitted through the official source, not through GrantsJunction. Open the official notice on Grants.gov (opportunity 22-621), and review the full announcement and application package. Organizations applying through Grants.gov generally need an active SAM.gov registration and a Grants.gov account, which can take several weeks to set up.

Matched on shared Assistance Listings, agency, categories and eligible applicant types.