Grand Canyon Astronomer in residence: Call for proposals

The Grand Canyon Astronomy Residence Program offers a unique opportunity for astronomy professionals, educators, and night sky enthusiasts to live and work at Grand Canyon National Park. Located on the South Rim in Arizona, the program invites selected residents to engage the public through astronomy-based programs while promoting education, conservation, and appreciation of the natural night sky. The 2026 call for proposals is now open to applicants from a wide range of disciplines.

Grand Canyon Astronomer in residence: Call for proposals

The call for proposals for the 2026 Grand Canyon Astronomer in Residence program is now open, inviting a diverse range of night sky professionals and enthusiasts to take part in an extraordinary opportunity at one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the United States. More than just a residency, this immersive program combines the stunning celestial backdrop of Grand Canyon National Park with a mission to promote education, conservation, and public engagement.

Located on the South Rim of Grand Canyon in Arizona, this residency is open to both professional and amateur astronomers, scientists across disciplines, educators, dark sky advocates, and creatives whose work explores the night sky. The program is driven by the Grand Canyon Conservancy and serves the broader goals of the National Park Service’s Department of Interpretation and Resource Education, which include preserving natural darkness, sharing inclusive stories, and promoting climate resilience.

A Living Laboratory Under the Stars

Grand Canyon National Park, designated an International Dark Sky Park, is recognized for its exceptional quality of natural darkness and its commitment to protecting the night sky. With minimal light pollution, the park offers one of the most pristine stargazing experiences in the U.S., making it an ideal setting for immersive astronomy-based outreach.

The Astronomer in Residence program gives selected applicants the chance to live and work in the park for a 4–8 week residency. Participants will present at least two public programs per week, sharing knowledge and passion through telescope viewings, sky tours, presentations, citizen science initiatives, and workshops. The expectation is that astronomers will not only teach but also learn—connecting deeply with the land, the skies above, and the diverse audiences who visit the park daily.

Building Public Awareness Through Science and Storytelling

The program is not solely about astronomy. The review panel seeks applicants who bring a multidisciplinary approach to night sky education. Historians, artists, photographers, educators, ecologists, and other practitioners who can tie their work to the theme of darkness, night, and environmental stewardship are encouraged to apply. The overarching goal is to help visitors engage with the night in meaningful ways, expanding their awareness of light pollution’s impact and inspiring conservation.

This residency is a public-facing role. Applicants must be enthusiastic educators and skilled communicators. Those who are selected will conduct interactive sessions that distill complex concepts—astronomical phenomena, scientific inquiry, dark sky ethics—into accessible programs for an international audience of all ages.

In this way, the program supports the park’s mission to foster inclusive storytelling. Residency alumni are given further opportunities to share their experiences through blogs, webinars, publications, and future involvement with the program itself, creating a continuous thread of knowledge and passion across years.

Competitive Selection and Inclusive Goals

A peer review panel—composed of past residents, astronomers, and dark sky advocates—will select three individuals for the 2026 residency cohort. Preference will be given to applicants who:

• Have experience delivering engaging, high-impact public programming.
• Possess subject matter expertise in astronomy, science communication, or night sky preservation.
• Offer unique program ideas that are creative, well-defined, and directly tied to dark sky themes.
   

The selection panel values diversity in background and approach. Whether your strength is academic research, visual storytelling, or citizen science, what matters most is your capacity to connect with the public and spark curiosity.

Resources Provided

Residents will be well-supported throughout their stay. The program offers free private accommodations for the astronomer and one guest, a weekly stipend of $500, a travel stipend of $250, and up to $300 in reimbursement for supplies. Additionally, astronomers gain special access to park roads, staff-only areas, and archives.

Residents will also benefit from marketing exposure, with potential reach to an audience of over 850,000 through online promotion, press coverage, and partnerships with local institutions. These include Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon School—the only K–12 school inside a U.S. national park. For many residents, the connections built during their time at the Canyon extend into future collaborations and opportunities within the scientific and conservation communities.

Application Process and Requirements

Interested applicants must submit their proposal through the Call for Entry platform by July 15, 2025. The jury will begin reviewing applications on July 16, 2025, with final selections announced in fall 2025.

Applicants should prepare:

• A brief bio (1000-character limit)
• A CV or resume
• Optional teaching philosophy or astronomer’s statement
• Up to 14 work samples (images, audio, video, PDFs, or media links) highlighting experience with the public and/or dark sky themes
• Descriptions of 2–3 proposed public programs for the residency, including titles and short summaries
• Written responses to specific questions regarding advocacy for dark skies, past visits to Grand Canyon, and any personal projects proposed for the residency
• Preferred residency dates and scheduling conflicts
   

Instead of a standard application fee, a donation of any amount to the Astronomer in Residence Program is required as part of the submission. Proof of this gift must be included in the application, but the donation amount remains confidential during the review process.

The Impact of Your Work

As an Astronomer in Residence, your role will go beyond observation and education. You will be part of an ongoing mission to preserve one of the last remaining sanctuaries of natural night. Visitors from around the world often arrive unaware of the night sky’s fragility or the beauty of an unpolluted view of the stars. Your work will plant seeds of awareness, curiosity, and care that could shape perspectives for years to come.

Whether leading a constellation tour on the canyon’s rim, conducting solar observations at a trailhead, or mentoring students from the local school, your presence will leave a legacy. This is not just an opportunity for professional growth—it’s a rare chance to contribute to the cultural and environmental story of a national treasure.

Apply Now

With just days remaining until the deadline, eligible applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals without delay. This is a highly competitive program, and early submissions are advisable to avoid technical issues or delays in donation processing.

For more information and application links, visit the Grand Canyon Conservancy Astronomer in Residence page or contact the program managers listed below for support.

Primary Contacts:

• Clover Morell, Senior Residency Program Manager — cmorell@grandcanyon.org
• Dennis Alvarez, Residency Program Specialist — dalvarez@grandcanyon.org
   

Key Details and Application Checklist

• Deadline: July 15, 2025
• Jury Dates: July 16 – September 30, 2025
• Residency Period: 4–8 weeks, applicant selects preferred dates (excluding Dec 16–Jan 31 and early June)
• Eligibility: International applicants, over 18, with relevant public programming experience
• Residency Includes:
• Free private housing for resident + one guest
• $500/week stipend
• $250 travel stipend
• Up to $300 supply reimbursement
• Access to Grand Canyon archives and park scientists
• Special access to roads/trails and staff areas
• Marketing promotion (~850,000 online audience)
• Collaboration opportunities with Lowell Observatory, local students, and park staff
• Application Requirements:
• Contact information and demographics
• CV or resume
• Optional teaching/philosophy statement
• 1–14 work samples (image, audio, video, PDFs, links)
• 2–3 public program descriptions (title + 1–2 sentence summary)
• Written answers:
• Have you visited the Grand Canyon?
• How will your work advocate for dark skies?
• Will you pursue any personal projects?
• Preferred residency dates (3 sets)
• Scheduling conflicts
   

Apply here