NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF) program offers highly qualified, recent doctoral scientists an opportunity to engage in independent research and education in astronomy or astrophysics. The program is designed to foster early-career researchers who demonstrate significant potential and provide them with the resources to establish themselves as leaders in the scientific community. The AAPF program supports fellows for up to three years, allowing them to carry out original research at an eligible host institution of their choosing, including U.S. institutions of higher education, NSF-funded facilities, U.S. nonprofits with research missions, or international sites operated by eligible U.S. organizations. The purpose of the fellowship is to support original work that integrates scientific inquiry and educational outreach. Research may include observational, theoretical, instrumental, laboratory, or archival studies in any area of astronomy or astrophysics. Fellows are expected to develop and implement a coherent educational plan alongside their research. This educational component can involve teaching, curriculum development, outreach, or other public education efforts, with a suggested time commitment of 10% to 25% of the fellow’s time. The fellowship provides an annual amount of $110,000, composed of a $75,000 stipend and a $35,000 fellowship allowance to support research and education activities. The allowance can be used for travel, materials, equipment, access to databases, publication fees, insurance, and other related costs. Fellows are not permitted to accept additional remuneration during the tenure of their fellowship without prior approval from NSF. Tenure is limited to 36 months, although up to 12 months of interruption or no-cost extension is allowed, and up to two months of paid leave may be used for family or parental purposes within the award period. Eligibility is restricted to U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents who have earned a doctoral degree in a relevant scientific field within the five years preceding the application deadline or will complete the degree by October 1 following the deadline. Applications must be submitted directly by individuals, not through institutional Sponsored Projects Offices. Each applicant must designate one or more scientific mentors and secure a signed host institution letter affirming support for both the research and educational plans. Applications are accepted annually through a submission window running from August 15 through October 15. For the current cycle, the deadline is October 15, 2025. Reviews are based on intellectual merit and broader impacts, including the candidate’s potential for leadership, alignment of the host institution, and benefits to the candidate and scientific community. Awards are typically announced by February following the submission deadline. Fellowship tenure must begin by October 1 of the same year. Applications must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov; FastLane is no longer accepted. Contact for this program is Louise O. Edwards, reachable by phone at 703-292-7597 or by email at loedward@nsf.gov. Additional technical support for submission systems is available through Research.gov and Grants.gov help desks. The AAPF program is part of the NSF’s Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Division of Astronomical Sciences, and is assigned CFDA number 47.049.