The Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA) at the Australian National University(ANU) offers a program to support Distinguished Visitors for longer-term visits to Mount Stromlo to work collaboratively on activities associated with RSAA’s astrophysics and technology research programs.

The requirements and application process for the Stromlo Distinguished Visitor program are as follows:

1.  Visitors will spend between one and six months at RSAA. The period at RSAA may be spread over a small number of visits within a one-year window.
2. Visitors must be sponsored by, and work with, one or more RSAA scientists.
3. Visitors must give at least one colloquium at RSAA and are strongly encouraged to give colloquia at other Australian research organizations and talks to the general public (RSAA can assist in arranging public talks).
4. The Distinguished Visitor program can contribute funding towards a round-trip economy air ticket and living expenses. Funding will be provided on the basis of reimbursement of expenses (receipts required). Visitors will usually require additional funding from other sources to cover their expenses.
5. Visitors will be provided with office space, computing/internet services, and limited administrative support. They will also have full access to ANU’s telescope facilities during the period of their visit.
6. Applications must include: (i) the Visitor's curriculum vitae (<2 pages); (ii) a statement, written by the applicant, regarding the purpose and period of the visit, the research and other activities to be undertaken during the visit, and the resulting benefits to RSAA’s programs (<2 pages); (iii) a supporting statement by the RSAA scientist sponsoring the visit (<1 page); and (iv) a budget with details of the requested funding and supporting funding from other sources (<1 page).
7. Applications will be assessed by the Stromlo Distinguished Visitor Committee, which has two subcommittees: one for astronomy & astrophysics and one for instrumentation & technology. The available funding will be allocated based on (i) the benefit to RSAA’s research programs and status, (ii) the research record of the applicant, and (iii) the significance of the proposed research and other activities, and their alignment with RSAA research programs. The extent of additional funding from other sources will also be taken into account.
8. If a Distinguished Visitor award is not taken up within 3 months of the end date for the visit as specified in the application, then the funding offer will lapse.
9. The RSAA staff member sponsoring the visit will provide a report to the RSAA Director detailing the outcomes of the visit and the benefits to the RSAA within 1 month of the completion of the visit.
10. Applications must be emailed to the RSAA Director (director.rsaa@anu.edu.au). There are two annual deadlines: the next deadline is 30 September 2022 for visits from January to June 2023; the subsequent deadline is 17 March 2023 for visits from July to December 2023.

ANU values diversity and inclusion and believes opportunities must not be limited by socio-economic background, race, religion or gender. Women are particularly encouraged to apply for the Stromlo Distinguished Visitor program. Questions about the program may be addressed to the RSAA Director.