Research Period Scheme

Rationale

To provide a high level of support to the Observatory and its astronomical community, essential for ESO to fulfil its core mission, astronomers at ESO must stay at the forefront of their fields of research. This requires periods of uninterrupted study. For this reason, ESO is introducing Research Periods (RP), as a pilot scheme in the first instance. This will enable ESO astronomers to work closely with their colleagues in the ESO community, focusing their efforts on scientific research for an extended period of time, perhaps exploiting a technique or an instrument that they have worked hard to build or commission, or providing the time and facilities to initiate or finish a science project following a long period of intensive functional duties and service to the Organisation.

How-To

The menu on the right-hand side points to pages where the terms and conditions of the RP, its timeline and the application process are described. A link to the RP application form itself can also be found at the bottom of the side menu.