Invitation to Host NRAO Community Days

In preparation for the upcoming National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) facilities proposal cycles, we invite astronomical institutions to host NRAO Community Days (CDs) starting in mid-September and continuing through mid-December 2013. The main goal of these CDs is to inform the community of the capabilities of NRAO telescopes, thus enabling users to carry out cutting-edge scientific research using NRAO facilities. We are particularly interested in reaching new users who presently lack expertise in radio astronomy.

NRAO CDs are one- to two-day events designed in cooperation with host institutions in North America. NRAO staff members will travel to the host institutions with the goal of providing sufficient information for participants to propose for time on NRAO facilities and/or to analyze data taken with these telescopes. 

Persons interested in hosting a CD at their institution can apply online. Please include a description of the primary goals of the CD, the expected number of participants, the desired length of the CD, and the NRAO facilities of interest. Host institutions are expected to handle the local workshop logistics and to work with NRAO to advertise the event. Applications may be submitted starting 15 August, and acceptance is on a rolling basis. See the NRAO Community Days webpage for additional details.

Note that the expected proposal deadline for Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Cycle 2 is early December 2013. The next proposal submission deadline for the Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), the Green Bank Telescope (GBT), and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) is 3 February 2014.