Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Grants (AAG)

The Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Grants (AAG) Program provides individual investigator research grants in the following themes:

• Planetary Astronomy (PLA) - Theoretical and observational studies of the detailed structure and composition of the surfaces, interiors, and atmospheres of the planets and satellites in the Solar System; the nature of small bodies (asteroids and comets); the inter-planetary medium; and the origin and development of the Solar System.  Laboratory investigations of relevance to Solar System phenomena are included in this theme. 
  
  
• Stellar Astronomy and Astrophysics (SAA) - Theoretical and observational studies of the structure and activity of the Sun and other stars; the physical properties and composition of all types of single and multiple stars; extra-solar system planet formation and detection; star formation and stellar evolution; stellar nucleosynthesis; and the properties of atoms and molecules of relevance to stellar astronomy.
  
  
• Galactic Astronomy (GAL) - Theoretical and observational studies on the composition, structure, and evolution of the Milky Way galaxy and nearby galaxies. Research may focus on the stellar populations in these galaxies; the characteristics of star clusters; the interstellar medium; and the properties of atomic and molecular constituents of the interstellar medium. Relevant laboratory investigations are included. 
  
  
• Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology (EXC) - Theoretical and observational studies of the more distant Universe.  Research topics include galaxy formation, evolution, and interaction; active galaxies; quasars; large-scale structure; and all areas of cosmology.