Foundation for the Advancement of Astronomy

The Astronomical Society of Australia (ASA) has established the Foundation for the Advancement of Astronomy (FAA). The FAA is a tax-deductible Foundation which exists to enhance the ASA’s efforts to promote Astronomy and related fields in Australia, and to recognise and support excellence in those fields.

The purposes of the FAA are broadly defined to allow the support of prizes, scholarships, research and facilities.

FAA now funds all ASA Prizes:

• The Bok Prize for outstanding research in astronomy by an Honours student.
• The Charlene Heisler Prize for the most outstanding PhD thesis in Astronomy or a closely related field.
• The Anne Green Prize for a significant advance or accomplishment by a mid-career scientist.
• The Louise Webster Prize for outstanding research by a scientist early in their post-doctoral career.
• The Peter McGregor Prize in recognition of exceptional achievement or innovation in astronomical instrumentation.
• The Ellery Lectureship for outstanding contributions in astronomy or related fields.
• The David Allen Prize for the best contribution, or series of contributions, published in the previous calendar year in widely accessible media which portrays an astronomical theme in an exciting and educative way.
• The Page Medal for excellence in amateur astronomy.
• Student Prizes

In addition, funding from the Richard Cole Fund is now available to support ASA activities for students – in particular the ANITA Summer School in Theoretical Astrophysics and the Astroinformatics School organised by ANITA.

The ASA welcomes suggestions for other initiatives.

In the past, the FAA has also accepted donations for a Mount Stromlo Fire Fund to assist students affected by the fire at Mt Stromlo in 2003 that destroyed most of the observatory, including all the telescopes, the workshops, and most of the student housing.

Note: to comply with its tax-deductible status, the FAA makes it funds available through Educational Institutions, Scientific Institutions and other Eligible Institutions and must incur its expenditure principally within Australia.

Please Support Australian Astronomy

The FAA’s ability to support these and other activities depends on the level of funding available, and hence on the financial support of ASA members and the public. Your support is essential if the FAA is to sustain and diversify its activities and continue to develop a significant role in Australian Astronomy.

We invite you to help support Australian Astronomy.

Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible for Australian tax payers.

ASA members may make a donation at any time, including when paying their annual ASA membership subscription. Members of the public are also very welcome to make a donation. You may specify support for an individual prize or activity or make it available to the general purposes of the Foundation.

In either case, please go to the FAA Donation page to make an online payment.

Anyone wishing to discuss a donation or make a donation by means other than a credit card should contact the ASA Treasurer.