The Heising-Simons Foundation is excited to announce the launch of a new multi-year fellowship to support postdoctoral scientists who are developing instrumentation to shape the future of astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, and planetary science.

The Astronomical Innovation (Astronova) Fellowship will provide funding for up to two scientists per year at select host institutions for the next four years, beginning in Fall 2026. Promising early-career instrumentalists interested in this fellowship are welcomed to submit an application for the inaugural cycle through the fellowship’s portal by February 27, 2026, at 2pm PT.

Astronova Fellows will receive support for projects designing, developing, fabricating, characterizing, testing, or commissioning instruments that direct, collect, detect, or characterize photons from astrophysical sources. Examples of eligible technologies include optics, imagers, spectrometers, astrophotonic devices, coronagraphs, data acquisition and control, and other related systems. Instruments may be ground-based, airborne, or space-based.

Key features of the program include:

• Flexible research award. Each fellow, through their host institution, receives funding for salary, benefits, and discretionary spending over a four-year term, with potential for a fifth-year extension. 
• Access to Innovation Fund. Beginning in year two of the followship period, fellows may apply for an additional Innovation Fund grant to pursue a novel instrumentation concept or component of their own design. 
• Catalytic support. Fellows who obtain a faculty or research position during their fellowship are eligible to apply for a new grant to augment their startup package.
• Peer learning and connections. Fellows have opportunities to participate in instrumentation-specific professional development and networking—including an annual research summit with their advisors and other leaders in the field.

The first application cycle of the Astronova Fellowship is open now and closes at 2 p.m. Pacific Time on February 27, 2026. Applicants will be notified of their selection status in May 2026, and the two new Astronova Fellows will be publicly announced June 2026.

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

• Eligibility, review criteria, FAQs, application preview, guidelines, and application information
• Submit your online application now.
• Questions? Email astronova@hsfoundation.org