U.S. National Science Foundation
NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF)
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Oct 15, 2026 · 8 days left
- Award size
- From $110K
- Total available
- $990K · about 9 awards
- Cost share / match ?
- Not required · Work out your budget and match
- Who can apply
- Other (see eligibility)
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
Before you apply: federal grants require an active SAM.gov registration (Unique Entity ID) and a Grants.gov account. The deadline is in 8 days. If your registration isn't already active, it may not be ready in time, so check it today. Grant-ready checklist
How this fits you
- Available in Blount County (nationwide program)
- No cost share required
- Only 8 days left to apply
- Tennessee recipients since 2023: 41
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
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Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/70e5bb00-3652-4fab-89e6-652ec4aa4ca1 · Printed from grantme.click/grants/7c6b0548-5e89-4c93-9ede-21d5d7bd1267
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About this grant
NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships provide an opportunity for highly qualified, recent doctoral scientists to carry out an integrated program of independent research and education. Fellows may engage in observational, instrumental, theoretical, laboratory or archival data research in any area of astronomy or astrophysics, in combination with a coherent educational plan for the duration of the fellowship. The program supports researchers for a period of up to three years with fellowships that may be taken to eligible host institutions of their choice. The program is intended to recognize early-career investigators of significant potential and to provide them with experience in research and education that will establish them in positions of distinction and leadership in the scientific community.
Eligibility (from the notice)
*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
-NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships are awards to individuals; proposals are submitted directly by the fellowship candidate to NSF. Each proposer must identify one or more scientific mentor(s) and host institution(s) at the time of proposal submission. Prospective Fellows may propose to hold the fellowship at:
U.S. institutions of higher education,
NSF-funded centers, facilities, or institutes,
U.S. non-profit organizations with research and educational missions, or
International sites that are operated by U.S. organizations eligible for NSF funding, such as the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, Cerro Tololo InterAmerican Observatory, or Gemini South.
National centers, facilities, sites, or institutes funded by other federal agencies, such as NASA or the U.S. Department of Energy, are ineligible as host institutions for the NSF AAPF Program.
*Who May Serve as PI:
Fellowships are awarded to individuals. The fellowship candidate submits their proposal directly to NSF.
An individual is eligible to submit a proposal to the NSF AAPF Program if all of the following criteria are met:
The proposer is a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident (Green Card Holder) of the United States.
The proposer has earned the doctoral degree in an appropriate scientific field within five (5) years prior to the proposal submission deadline or will complete the doctoral degree by 1 October following the proposal deadline.
By signing and submitting the proposal, the fellowship candidate is certifying that they meet the eligibility criteria specified in this program solicitation. Willful provision of false information in this request and its supporting documents or in reports required under an ensuing award is a criminal offense (U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001).
Should we apply? (2-minute check) Ask a partner for a letter
Your schedule, working back from the deadline
- Oct7
Check that your SAM.gov registration is active (or start it now)
Grants.gov: allow up to 10 business days for SAM registration, weeks or months if information isn't verified. It must be renewed every year. Grants.gov - Sep24
Ask partners for letters of support or commitment (already past: do it now)
Suggested: partners need time to write and sign letters. - Oct8
Finish a complete draft for a final review
University grant offices require final versions about 5 business days before the sponsor deadline. Emory Office of Sponsored Programs - Oct13
Submit
Grants.gov: submit at least 24–48 hours before the deadline: uploads fail, systems slow down, errors need fixing. Grants.gov blog - Oct15
Deadline
From the funder.
Save this grant to put these dates in your tracker and private calendar.
Writing the need statement? Blount County facts with citations.
Who in Tennessee has won this program
21 awards to Tennessee recipients in 4 counties since federal FY2023 · 0 in Blount County. Largest shown:
| Recipient | Where | Amount | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $11.7M | 2023 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $2.4M | 2021 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $1.7M | 2022 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $1.7M | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $1.6M | 2021 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $1.2M | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $1.1M | 2019 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $911K | 2019 |
| Tennessee State University | Nashville, Davidson County | $800K | 2021 |
| University Of Tennessee | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | $793K | 2025 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $780K | 2023 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $749K | 2025 |
Source: USAspending.gov. Past awards show who this program funds; they don't guarantee future awards.
Tennessee groups that got this money through a state agency or another grantee
This federal money also reaches local groups as subawards. 20 subawards on file · 0 in Blount County. Largest shown:
| Recipient | Where | Through | Amount | FY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fisk University | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University | $956K | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Texas A & M University | $388K | 2023 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Ed | $370K | 2026 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill | $265K | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | West Virginia University Research Corporation | $244K | 2026 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Cornell University | $235K | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Oregon State University | $228K | 2024 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | University of Vermont & State Agricultural College | $204K | 2025 |
| University Of Memphis | Memphis, Shelby County | University of Arizona | $168K | 2023 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | University of Notre Dame Du Lac | $165K | 2023 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | The Pennsylvania State University | $158K | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Cornell University | $157K | 2026 |
Source: USAspending.gov subaward reports (prime recipients report subawards of $30,000 or more).
About the program (47.049)
Mathematical and Physical Sciences — (MPS)
How applications are judged
Not Applicable.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.