Your contribution to CIERA’s General Fund fuels the people, ideas, and tools that make cosmic discovery possible.
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Sunlit daytime interior telescope rendering with people in the foreground. Image credit: Giant Magellan Telescope – GMTO Corporation
The CIERA Giant Magellan Telescope Interdisciplinary Research and Travel Award Fund
In December 2024, Northwestern University became a founding member of the International Consortium of the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) Organization, led by CIERA and made possible through the generous support of our community. An enormous ground-based telescope under construction in Chile’s Atacama Desert, the GMT will produce images 10 times clearer than the Hubble Space Telescope and explore the distant universe, including the search for life beyond Earth. When operational in the 2030s, it will create unprecedented opportunities in research and education.
Beyond the significant commitments needed for the consortium partnership, we recognize a vital need to support students and faculty in GMT-related research and facilitate travel to Chile. The CIERA GMT Interdisciplinary Research and Travel Award Fund helps ensure our community plays an active role in this groundbreaking global effort—the only U.S. large-telescope project to date advanced by the National Science Foundation to the final design phase
Join us in shaping the future of astronomy – make your gift today.
- $2,500 – Funds specialized equipment or computing resources
- $8,000 – Enables travel for a researcher to the GMT site in Chile
- $10,000 – Supports a graduate student’s summer research
- $65,000 – Supports a graduate student for one year
- $125,000 – Supports a postdoctoral researcher for one year
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From reserved seating at public events to an exclusive celebration of the year’s most exciting findings, discover all the benefits of joining the CIERA Circle!
The CIERA Circle is a community of Northwestern alumni and friends who support CIERA’s pioneering research in astronomy and its innovative programs in STEM education and outreach. With a gift of $100 or more, you will automatically become a CIERA Circle member.
Help us reach our goals – Choose your tax-deductible commitment level and discover the benefits of joining!
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Planet ($100 – $999 annual gift)
- Receive quarterly e-newsletter with inside information & special features
- Enjoy premier reserved seating at public CIERA events
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Supernova ($1,000 – $2,499 annual gift)
Planet benefits plus:
- Receive a CIERA mug, mailed to your home or available for pickup at CIERA
- Recognition as a Member of the Northwestern University Leadership Circle, a University-wide giving society. Learn more about NULC benefits at Northwestern Giving
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Galaxy ($2500 – $4999 annual gift)
Supernova benefits plus:
- Exclusive opportunity to learn about CIERA astronomers’ most exciting findings at the annual CIERA Discoveries and Impact showcase
- Meet the distinguished astronomer giving CIERA’s Annual Public Lecture during Homecoming Weekend
- Recognition as a Fellow of the Northwestern University Leadership Circle and membership in the NULC Research and Innovation Impact Circle. This Office for Research-directed giving society recognizes loyal donors who understand the power of their consistent annual support of Northwestern’s transformative research ecosystem. Learn more about NULC benefits at Northwestern Giving
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Universe ($5,000+ annual gift)
Galaxy benefits plus:
- Invitation to special, exclusive CIERA events and trips
- Ability to identify specific CIERA activities to support, including naming opportunities, and discuss your interest in joining the CIERA Board of Visitors
- Ask an expert your astronomy questions through exclusive access to the askCIERA email
- Recognition by the Northwestern University Leadership Circle at the Sustainer level or above and membership in the NULC Research and Innovation Impact Circle. Learn more about NULC benefits at Northwestern Giving
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All contributions are tax-deductible. The fair market value of the Universe Connection benefits is estimated at $65 per year (one dinner annually). Gifts can be provided on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.
Become a CIERA Circle Member
