Call for the 2022 China-Chile Joint Research Fund

Based on the principles established in a 2013 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the National Commission of Scientific and Technological Research of the Republic of Chile (CONICYT), and the more specific guidelines described in a recent (2015) Agreement between the National Astronomical Observatories of China (NAOC), the Chinese Astronomical Society, the Chilean Astronomical Society (SOCHIAS) and CONICYT (pdf), we are now inviting research proposals that involve China-Chile collaboration in astronomical research, to promote astronomical research collaborations between China and Chile, to advance astronomy in both countries.

These funds are for research projects based on a collaboration between astronomers from China and Chile, and the subject can be in areas such as astronomical research, observations, instrumental development, theory, etc. 

The duration of each project should be two years at maximum, and can request up to 75,000 USD/year. We are aiming to support 3 or 4 projects in this call.


The deadline for applications is now extended to May,31st 2022. Inquiries can be sent to Dr. Jiasheng Huang (Chief Scientist of CASSACA; jhuang#@#nao.cas.cn), or Dr. Lei Zhu (Deputy Director of CASSACA; lzhu#@#nao.cas.cn).

For more details, please read the attached announcement (pdf).

2021 CASSACA & CBJLSW Joint Council Meeting Held in Bejing

On October 20, 2021, the Joint Council Meeting of the Chinese Academy of Sciences South America Center for Astronomy (CASSACA) and the China-Brazil Joint Laboratory for Space Weather of CAS (hereinafter referred to as CBJLSW) was held at the headquarter of National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC). Prof. Zhang Yaping, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chairman of CASSACA & CBJLSW Council, attended the meeting. The representatives of the Council members of both centers attended the meeting as well.

The Council reviewed and approved the annual work reports, funding implementations of the year 2021, as well as the work plans and budget arrangements for the next year of both oversea centers. In the meeting, the Council discussed extensively and put forward suggestions on several issues, including the platform operation, scientific research deployment, resource allocation, and international cooperation in the frontier areas such as astronomy, space science, climate and remote sensing observation.

In his concluding speech, Zhang Yaping fully acknowledged the efforts and achievements made by CASSACA and CBJLSW under the current difficult circumstances of COVID-19 pandemic. He pointed out that new requirements should be placed for the oversea centers in the new stage.  “The oversea centers should further refine their work priorities, make full use of the unique advantages of the oversea platform, promote multilateral collaboration, and develop a more open and dynamic system”, said by Zhang Yaping. He also encouraged the scientists to propose major scientific ideas and plans in order to gain more and more influential scientific achievements based on the overseas centers. 

CASSACA and CBJLSW were two oversea centers of Chinese Academy of Sciences. They were set up in October 2013 in Chile and in August 2014 in Brazil separately. They have been playing an important role in the international collaborations in the areas of astronomy and space weather between China and South America countries. 

Call for China-Chile Joint Research project 2015

Based on the principles established in a 2013 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the National Commission of Scientific and Technological Research of the Republic of Chile (CONICYT), and the more specific guidelines described in a recent (2015) Agreement between the National Astronomical Observatories of China (NAOC), the Chinese Astronomical Society, the Chilean Astronomical Society (SOCHIAS) and CONICYT (pdf), we are now inviting research proposals that involve China-Chile collaboration in astronomical research,  to promote astronomical research collaborations between China and Chile, to advance astronomy in both countries.

Project duration will be 1-2 years, with funding level around $75k USD in average. The PI of the proposal must be from either China or Chile, and the subject can be in any area of astronomical research, including observations, instrumental development, and theory.

For more details, please read the attached announcement (pdf).

China-CONICYT Postdoctoral Fellowship 2015

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (CONICYT) of Chile are inviting for applications for post-doctoral fellowships in observational, theoretical, and/or computational astrophysics. The official announcement of this opportunity is made at the CONICYT website (www.conicyt.cl) and duplicated at www.cassaca.org. The duration of the Fellowship is for two to three years, with at least part of it spent at a host institution in Chile.

Preferential considerations will be given to those applicants with proposed research activities involving collaborations between the Chinese and Chilean astronomy communities. Potential applicants should check out the two web sites above for more up-to-date information on this opportunity and possible deadline extensions, and are encouraged to contact prospective sponsors accordingly before applying. A catalogue of  research projected proposed can be found at http://www.cassaca.org/?p=631.

Applications must include the CV, a research statement, a support letter from the Host institution in Chile signed by the Department Director and faculty sponsor, a copy or certificate of degree, and two recommendation letters. The applications will be received at http://www.conicyt.cl/astronomia/category/concursos/ and all the documents except recommendation letters should furthermore be sent  by email in PDF format to postdoc.cas@conicyt.cl and echen@das.uchile.cl before the deadline August 31st. Further inquires about this fellowship opportunity can be addressed to Dr. Jiasheng Huang, Chief Scientist of CASSACA (the CAS South America Center for Astronomy) at jhuang@nao.cas.cn.

Major Chinese media visit ALMA and ESO Paranal observatories

[Preface: Since its inauguration in 2013, the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ South America Center for Astronomy (CASSACA) initialized several research collaborations between China and Chile, attracting broad interests of the national and international media, and from the general public. Especially after both Premier Li Keqiang’s and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet attended a signing ceremony of the agreement on building the China-Chile Joint Astronomical Data Center on May 25, 2015, the topics of astronomy in Chile has drawn even more attention. Recently, we made arrangements for journalists from several major Chinese news media to visit two international observatories in northern Chile, for an in-depth look at astronomical research activities in the Southern Hemisphere. ]

Journalists from local stations of the Xinhua News Agency, People’s Daily newspaper, and China Radio International visited ALMA (the Atacama Large Millimeter/sub-millimeter Array) and ESO (European Southern Observatories) Paranal, two of the largest international observatories in northern Chile, on 16-18 July 2015. During the visits and through interviews of on-site astronomers and employees, they had witnessed frontier research activities at the first-class international observatories, and gathered a lot of valuable first-hand information. CASSACA Director Wang Zhong and Deputy Director Wang Wei accompanied the visits and participated in the outreach activities.

The media group first went to ALMA Observatory on the 17th, where they visited the telescope control room, laboratory, working and living areas, and interviewed the person in charge of the station as well as front-line staff, who demonstrated the huge truck made specifically for transporting the antennas. Then they arrived at the antenna array on the 5000-meter-high plateau, equipped with supplies of oxygen, after given a medical check-up in accordance with the provisions for high-altitude environment. The large-scale modern scientific facilities, along with the magnificent natural scenery, highlight the importance of astronomical research, and illustrate the great contributions of scientists and other staff. On 18th July, at 2600m-high Paranal Observatory, the media visited the giant optical and infrared VLT 8-meter telescopes. The journalists learned about the parameters of telescopes and instruments, and the ongoing research programs carried out by the observers. They also had the opportunity to watch the entire procedure of telescope dome opening, instrument testing and preparing for observations. The dedication and professionalism of the staff, along with the advanced site management and operations, impressed them, just like the excellent sky conditions at the observatory. In the telescope control room, reporters had a light-hearted interview with Dr. Yang Bin, formerly of the National Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, who was on-duty as a night astronomer working for ESO. The professionalism, passion for astronomical observations, perseverance and dedication of this young female astronomer won their admiration.  Continue reading