Support for Graduate Student Research – DKIST Ambassadors

The U.S. National Science Foundation National Solar Observatory (NSF NSO) is announcing an opportunity for financial support of graduate student research, related to the scientific capabilities of its flagship facility, the 4-m Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST). This “DKIST Ambassadors” program has the overall goal of growing the community expertise on ground-based, high-resolution solar observations and related science, by creating a well networked cohort of experts at a variety of U.S. institutions. Information on previous activities within the program can be found at  https://nso.edu/ncsp/dkist-ambassadors/.

With the DKIST Ambassadors program, the NSF NSO seeks partners in U.S. Universities to financially support PhD students who are interested in doing research in solar physics, with the requirement that this research addresses DKIST capabilities, including utilizing existing DKIST data, or other pertinent topics. The development and submission of observing proposals to the regular calls issued by DKIST is also expected. NSO’s contribution to the positions will consist of two years of graduate student salary and related expenses, including some travel support. Supported fellows will be expected to take part in training schools and workshops that will be organized by NSO during the period covered by the program, and regularly present their DKIST-related work at scientific meetings .

The program currently seeks to fund 4 positions, each ideally spanning the timeframe of FY2027 through FY2028. Contingent upon availability of funds, NSF NSO intends to issue regular yearly calls for this opportunity through the next several years.

University mentors of prospective candidates can contact Dr. Gianna Cauzzi ([email protected]), 3665 Discovery Dr., Boulder, CO 80303,  for more information on the program and details on how to send proposals to join the program. The deadline for submission of a proposal is May 15, 2026.