We’re looking to support UK-based observers visiting a range of astronomy facilities.
There are two opportunities related to travel and subsistence in support of competitively awarded science observation time at astronomy facilities.
This opportunity is for travel grants: two-year funding for groups with travel costs of more than £5,000 a year (application deadline in October each year).
There is a separate opportunity for travel claims: for applicants who neither hold nor have access to a travel grant awarded by the panel (no deadline). See the PATT travel claim opportunity.
Travel grants for costs and subsistence
You can apply for the full cost of expenses for travel and subsistence in support of competitively awarded science observation time. Any other costs associated with the research, such as postdoctoral salaries, equipment, and applicant time, are assumed to be covered by the relevant research grant awarded.
We will not fund commissioning work or observation at private facilities.
The scheme covers costs for travel and subsistence only.
How funding can be used
You may use the awarded funds, without seeking further approval, in support of observing runs on the following:
- facilities in direct receipt of STFC funds, for example e-MERLIN, Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes (ING), Liverpool Telescope (LT)
- facilities approved by our Panel for the Allocation of Telescope Time (PATT). For details, refer to the list of PATT approved telescopes in the ‘additional info’ section.
You should only use travel funds when the presence of a UK observer is essential to the observing programme or required by the facility.
Funding use which requires approval
Whilst you can apply for travel funds in support of observing runs on non-approved telescopes you must first get approval from us.
Only in exceptional cases can you apply for funding for:
- the collection or collation of data
- data reduction visits.
The default is that PATT is not the appropriate source of funding for the collection of data. Applicants should seek guidance from the STFC office before applying. Please use the email details in the ‘contact details’ section.
Your application must include a case for support for a physical journey, for example because of the complexities of the data or difficulties in transporting the data.
If you need to change or cancel an agreed observing programme, you must get approval from the STFC office for any alternative plans.
Funding for visits to both approved and non-approved telescopes is not guaranteed. You should not book flights or make other travel arrangements unless we have confirmed funding.