IAU-OAD to Fund 18 Astronomy-for-Development Projects in 2026

The International Astronomical Union’s Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU-OAD) will support 18 global projects in 2026, selected to receive a total of EUR 111,161, to continue promoting sustainable development. Of these, 13 projects will receive 80,161 Euros from the IAU, and five additional projects in Africa will receive EUR 31,000 from the Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) project, funded through the UK’s International Science Partnership Fund via the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

The new projects will target countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and South America, with many focusing on the OAD’s three flagship areas: using astrotourism to drive socioeconomic development, applying astronomy to improve mental health, and leveraging astronomy knowledge and skills for sustainable development. In Africa, some of the astronomy initiatives will support mental well-being in refugee camps in Uganda, strengthen local tourism ecosystems in rural Tanzania, and address barriers to science for children with intellectual disabilities in Egypt.

Spotlight on African-Funded Projects

Among the funded projects is Stars Offering Hope (SOHO), which will use astronomy as a therapeutic and educational tool to support the mental health and psychosocial resilience of youth in Ugandan refugee camps. By combining night-sky observations, creative learning, and peer-led workshops, the initiative aims to create safe, inspiring spaces where young people can rediscover curiosity, hope, and a sense of belonging. Additionally, the project will train community-based facilitators in basic astronomy and trauma-sensitive facilitation to ensure sustainability and long-term impact. Through this approach, astronomy becomes more than science and becomes a pathway to healing, unity, and future-oriented thinking in communities affected by conflict.

Dr Trust Otto, lecturer at the Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda, and lead of the IAU funded Stars Offering HOpe (SOHO) project says, “SOHO will improve refugee youth wellbeing by combining astronomy, storytelling, and creative learning into trauma-sensitive, peer-led activities. IAU funding will cover the core tools and training needed to run the programme safely and scale it across settlements.”

Addressing the OAD’s third flagship area, “Astronomy Knowledge and Skills for Development,” the East African Astronomical Society Workshop (EAASW) aims to transform astronomy into a driver of regional development. The workshop will equip young scientists with technical skills in data science and “astro-preneurship,” bridging the gap between academic research and the labour market.

Dr Naftali K. Kimani at Kenyatta University, who is the project lead, says “IAU funding acts as the essential – seed capital that unlocks regional support and covers critical workshop logistics, empowering East African researchers to transform their dark skies into a bridge for sustainable economic growth.

Since 2012, the IAU has granted close to EUR 1.5 million to more than 200 projects, impacting thousands of lives in over 100 countries. Grants are offered through an annual call for proposals open to anyone worldwide. In 2025, the OAD received 154 applications at stage 1, from which 39 were selected to advance to stage 2. These teams then worked closely with the OAD to strengthen the impact potential of their projects. An independent review panel of experts in astronomy and development evaluated the applications and made the final selections, which were subsequently approved by the OAD Steering Committee. The next call is expected to be announced in April 2026.

Additional Funded Projects

Other African Funded Projects include;

• Astro Tourism for Development: Storytelling, Science, and Socio-Economic Growth in South Africa- South Africa
• Astronomy for All: Inspiring kids of Determination- Egypt
• Bridging the gap between High School and University Science- South Africa
• Hands-on Basic Space Science and Astronomy Training for Secondary School Science Teachers- Nigeria
• Indigenous Astronomy in Climate Change Adaptation- Namibia
• Inspiring STEM Engagement through the Support of Astronomy Programmes in Primary School- Kenya
• Starry Safaris: Astrotourism for Development Project in Tanzania- Tanzania
• STELLAR Integrated STEM Awareness & Innovation Programme- South Africa