Cycle 5: Broadcasting workshops across space and time

[bmorris3]

(in prep. in coordination with #491.)

[eteq]

@bmorris3 - does it make sense to combine this with #491? I know you alreday mention it above but these two are so interconnected it occurs to me maybe it makes more sense to put them together? 🤷

[AnaGabela]

Hi,
Can you let us know what is the hourly rate you will be charging? We will need that for the paperwork.

Also can you clarify who will be the payee? Will there be a subcontractor, do you have a name?

Thanks!
A

[bmorris3]

@eteq – I'm aligned with Matt's response to this question in his PR.

@AnaGabela – I'm following up with my institution, I'll let you know ASAP.

[bmorris3]

@AnaGabela Our intention is for Space Telescope Science Institute to be the payee, and the hourly rate would be about $120 (IDC included).

[kelle]

Would these need to be a subaward to STScI? Like a typical grant?

[bmorris3]

Would these need to be a subaward to STScI? Like a typical grant?

Waiting on confirmation from the STScI sponsored programs office (SPO).

SPO says total cost for CY2026 at:

• 5% FTE: $13,717
• 10% FTE: $27,433

[eteq]

Please react to this comment to vote on this proposal ( 👍, 👎 or no reaction for +0)

[kelle]

The Cycle 5 funding request process has been hugely successful! On the downside, that means our funds are severely oversubscribed. Even after the Finance Committee and SPOC have taken into consideration community feedback/voting and alignment with the roadmap, there are still more funding requests than we can afford in 2026.

We would like to stretch the budget as far as possible, and to fund as many activities as possible, while making sure the Project remains volunteer-driven. Hence, we would like to know if this project will still meet its deliverables if your minimum budget is reduced by 25%, 50%, or 100%. Or if there’s some other minimum, feel free to specify that instead.

As a reminder, there will be more funding for 2027 and we expect the Cycle 6 call for 2027 funding requests to begin in the Fall of 2026.

Thank you for your engagement and understanding as we continue to optimize our funding and budgeting processes and the balance of volunteer vs funded work!

(@bmorris3 )

[bmorris3]

@kelle: this program would need at least 5% FTE to deliver anything. Video recordings of the astropy workshop likely wouldn't be completed within CY26 unless funded at 10% FTE. (This project was pitched with a minimal budget to begin with.)

[eteq]

We are pleased to let you know that this proposal will be funded at the level of $13717. The Astropy community supports this work and the SPOC finds it to be well-aligned with the roadmap. While we would ideally fund this work in full, given over-subscription and budget limitations, this proposal will be funded at less than the maximum budget request. With the amount allocated, we ask that you focus your funded work to address the roadmap items listed in the request. If the amount allocated is insufficient to make any progress on the roadmap items, please let us know.

Additionally, assuming a successful and timely budget process with NASA, we are anticipating more funds to be available at some point in 2026. Once this is final, the SPOC and Finance Committee will review project progress and spending to date and evaluate the possibility of modifying budgets mid year. At that time we may be able to allocate more funding to this project.

We will follow-up with more details on how to start working on this in the near future. In addition, individualized feedback will be forthcoming.