Women and Girls in Astronomy Program (WGAP) 2025 – Call for Proposals Now Open!
- Omran Aburayya
- Jun 4
- 2 min read
If you're passionate about leveraging astronomy to empower women and girls, the Women and Girls in Astronomy Program (WGAP) 2025 is now accepting proposals for innovative projects that use astronomy for development activities to promote, support, and uplift women and girls in the field. This initiative, led by the North American Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (NA-ROAD) and supported by the Heising-Simons Foundation, aims to fund ten projects across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, or Greenland .
📝 Program Summary
Location: Canada, United States, Caribbean, Mexico, Greenland
Host Institution: North American Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (NA-ROAD)
Type: Not specified; open to individuals and organizations
Target Group: Women and girls in astronomy
Fields of Focus: Astronomy for development, including scientific, social, technical, cultural, and artistic perspectives
Award Value: $2,000 USD mini-grant
Duration: Projects must be completed by December 1, 2025
Application Deadline: June 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM (local time)
Start Date: Upon selection; projects to be completed by December 1, 2025
Eligible To: Individuals and organizations based in Canada, United States, Caribbean, Mexico, or Greenland
🔭WGAP Program Overview
The WGAP 2025 aims to fund ten projects that utilize astronomy for development activities to promote, support, and uplift women and girls in the field. Projects must align with at least one of NA-ROAD’s five Strategic Goals and take place in Canada, United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, or Greenland . Selected project leaders will join the WGAP network as WGAP Fellows, gaining access to a community of industry and academic professionals committed to supporting women and girls in astronomy.
🎁 Program Benefits
Mini-Grant: $2,000 USD to support project implementation
WGAP Fellowship: Recognition as a WGAP Fellow, joining a network of professionals in astronomy
Mentorship: Access to mentors who will provide guidance and support throughout the project
Final Presentation: Opportunity to present project outcomes and contributions to advancing women and girls in astronomy
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Geographical Location: Projects must be conducted in Canada, United States, Caribbean, Mexico, or Greenland
Alignment with Strategic Goals: Projects must align with at least one of NA-ROAD’s five Strategic Goals
Focus: Projects should aim to promote, support, and uplift women and girls in the field of astronomy
📝 Application Procedure
Proposal Submission: Complete the application form available in English, Spanish, or French.
Proposal Content: Applicants must answer four key questions detailing:
Clear vision and goals for the project
Identification of the target audience (e.g., girls in rural academic settings in the Caribbean, career transition and development for women in Mexico)
Outline of how the project plans to support the target audience and complete the project by December 1, 2025
An organized budget, with projected expenses for materials and/or travel
Application Deadline: June 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM (local time)
Notification: Grant recipients will be notified in late June.
Contact Information: For questions, email wgap@aui.edu or dwysenyuy@aui.edu.
🔗 OFFICIAL LINK
