In 2024, Cape Town, South Africa, will play home to the 32nd General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) (GA2024). The General Assembly will be convened in Africa for the first time in the IAU's more than 100-year existence, which presents a unique chance to highlight the continent's cutting-edge research infrastructure and top-notch scientific expertise.
The National Organising Committee of the IAU GA2024 wants to give high impact "Astronomy in Africa" scholarships to qualified African candidates in advance of the 32nd General Assembly, which is aligned with the hosting of this historic event. Starting in 2023, the scholarships will enable exceptional individuals to pursue a two-year Master of Science (MSc) degree in South Africa.
The Africa 2024 scholarships will pay for all expenses related to studying abroad, including tuition, one international round-trip ticket, visa fees, medical insurance, housing costs, and stipend. The chance to volunteer at the General Assembly 2024 will also be advantageous to scholarship applicants because it will allow them to network with other members of the international astronomy community.
About International Astronomical Union (IAU)
The International Astronomical Union is a voluntary organization whose mission is to advance astronomy in all of its manifestations, particularly through fostering international collaboration in astronomical research, outreach, education, and development. It is headquartered in Paris, France, and was established in 1919.
The IAU is made up of both individual members, such as senior scientists and professional astronomers, and national members, such as academic institutions, professional groups, and national societies. Divisions, committees, and working groups comprised of individual members are organized around certain subdisciplines, topics, or initiatives. The Union had 82 national members as of 2018 and approximately 13,700 individual members from 90 different countries.
Being a venue for scientific conferences is one of the IAU main functions. It holds a triannual General Assembly that establishes policy and hosts nine annual symposia in addition to other scientific gatherings.
The Union is best recognized for defining universal definitions for astronomical principles and for being the major authority in giving official names and designations to celestial objects. In order to carry out its objective, it collaborates with regional, governmental, and international organizations like UNESCO.
Aims and Benefits of IAU Masters Scholarships
- For international students who get the scholarship, a single round-trip airline ticket will be covered. The GA2024 NOC will pay for study visa expenses.
- The Africa 2024 scholarships will pay for all expenses related to studying abroad, including tuition, one international round-trip ticket, visa fees, medical insurance, housing costs, and stipend.
- The chance to volunteer at the General Assembly 2024 will also be advantageous to scholarship applicants because it will allow them to network with other members of the international astronomy community.
Qualification/Requirement for IAU Masters Scholarships
- The Astronomy in Africa grants are open to applicants from any African nation.
- Candidates must be qualified to enroll in an MSc program in an astronomy/astrophysics-focused university in South Africa.
- Candidates are required to have spoken with prospective supervisors at reputable South African colleges.
- Potential supervisors are required to submit a letter of recommendation for the candidate along with it that briefly describes the intended research endeavor.
Date, Procedure, and Location of Interviews for IAU Masters Scholarships
- The GA2024 NOC's Science subcommittee and outside reviewers will work together to create a shortlist.
- Shortlisted candidates will be chosen based on their academic performance, level of enthusiasm, appropriateness for research as determined by reference letters and CVs, as well as the supporting letter from the potential supervisor. During the shortlisting process, diversity and regional representation will be taken into consideration. Applicants who are not South Africans will be given preference.
- Candidates who have been shortlisted will be called to a virtual interview between October 24 and November 4, 2022.
- Those that are chosen will be contacted during the week of November 7–11, 2022, along with their supervisors.
- Make arrangements for one reference letter to be forwarded to info@astronomy2024.org with your name in the subject line by the application deadline.
- Candidates must upload a CV (maximum of two pages, 12-point font), recent academic transcripts, and a scanned copy of their undergraduate degree certificate in addition to submitting a motivation.
- Candidates are required to provide a letter of recommendation from their prospective boss. The letter must contain a succinct description of the planned research study.
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