Access to Travel Funding

http://www.strw.leidenuniv.nl/lkbf/

Apart from grant money and regular Sterrewacht funds, a few independent sources of support (fondsen) exist for matters such as astronomy-related travel or visitor support. These fondsen mostly stem from private benefactors and are administered from Leiden, all with Peter Katgert as Executive Secretary (Secretaris). They are:

• Leids Sterrewacht Fonds: The LSF is primarily used to support travel for observing and travel (including students). The Board of this Fonds consists of A.W. Kist (Chair), Peter Katgert (Secretary/ Treasurer), Michiel van der Klis (Amsterdam), Piet van der Kruit (Groningen), Karel van der Hucht (SRON/ Utrecht), Ger de Bruyn (ASTRON), Henny Lamers (Utrecht), Marijn Franx, Michiel Hogerheijde, Tim de Zeeuw, Boudewijn Baud (Noordwijk), and Coen Oort (Wassenaar).

• Leids Kerkhoven-Bosscha Fonds (LKBF): The LKBF owes its existence to the revenues from tea plantations in the former Dutch East Indies, now the Republic of Indonesia. The LKBF funds are mainly used in support of non-observing travel (e.g. conferences) and short-term working visits. Calls for proposals are normally issued three times per year. Note: this is the funding agency you are expected to apply to in the first place for travel to any meeting. Keep a close watch on its deadlines, which are regularly announced by e-mail to all Sterrewachters. The LKBF Board is identical to the board of the Sterrewacht Fonds, but with Piet van der Kruit as chair. The LKBF also provides astronomy infrastructure support for the Lembang Observatory in Indonesia.

• Jan Hendrik Oort Fonds: This Fonds owes its existence to prize money generously donated to the Sterrewacht by Professor Oort. It is currently used to support the visiting J.H. Oort Professor of Astronomy. Once per year (usually close to Professor Oort's birthday in April) a distinguished astronomer visits as J.H. Oort Hoogleraar. Typically, she/he comes to Leiden for a few weeks, interacts with the promovendi and staff and gives the annual semi-popular J.H. Oort Lecture. In addition a workshop is organized on a topic related to the interests of the Oort Professor. Finally, the Fonds supports a part-time adjunct professorship, currently held bij Thijs de Graauw. The Board of the J.H. Oort Fonds is identical to the board of the Sterrewacht Fonds.

The LKBF requires one to fill out forms when applying for funding. Electronic (LaTex) forms are available on the Sterrewacht internet pages, and are also appended to the regular calls for proposals. For LSF funding, contact Peter Katgert; he only requires a filled-out Sterrewacht travel form.