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ExoExplorers

based on the Kepler 16b travel poster.

Welcome

The ExoExplorers program is now accepting applications for its 5th cohort, which will run January - June 2025!

We are soliciting both US and International “ExoExplorers” and “ExoGuides”. ExoGuide nominations and ExoExplorer applications are both due Friday, October 18th by 6 PM Pacific.

For more information, including a full description of the program and instructions on how to apply, please visit either the ExoExplorers Application Page or the ExoGuides Application Page.

The Exoplanet Explorers (ExoExplorers) Science Series, sponsored by the ExoPAG Executive Committee and the NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program, aims to enable the professional development of a cohort of PhD candidates and/or postdocs in exoplanet research (“ExoExplorers”).

Each member of the cohort will be featured in a webinar that will be live streamed to the exoplanet community, helping to increase their visibility within the field. The cohort will also engage with established exoplanet researchers (“ExoGuides”) via a combination of tailored presentations and small group discussions.

Webinars from the ExoExplorers are open to the exoplanet community. Both the ExoExplorer and ExoGuide webinars are recorded and posted to this page so that they can be viewed at later dates.

The ExoExplorers program began in January 2021, and since then it has hosted four annual cohorts of early career scientists and four cohorts of senior ExoGuides. You can find more information about previous ExoExplorers and previous ExoGuides via these links.

Program Description

The ExoExplorers program, sponsored by NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program Office and the ExoPAG Executive Committee, will focus on the professional development of ~12 graduate student and/or postdoc researchers (“ExoExplorers”) at US and international[1] institutions. Each member of the cohort will be featured in a webinar that will be live-streamed to the exoplanet community, helping to increase their visibility within the field and build internal and external research networks. The cohort will also learn from the experiences of established exoplanet researchers and engineers in the field (“ExoGuides”) via a combination of tailored presentations and small group discussions.

Members of the ExoExplorers cohort will each give one 30-minute presentation on their research to the broader exoplanet community. Each of the ExoExplorers will receive $1,000 for the purchase of one presentation of their research results, presented as a part of the Science Series.

In addition, the ExoExplorers will be invited to participate in:

  1. Weekly interactions between members of the cohort

  2. Monthly informal group discussions with prominent scientists (“ExoGuides”) in the fields of exoplanet science and engineering

  3. One-on-one meetings with two to five researchers requested by the ExoExplorer, facilitated by the Organizing Committee

  4. Two to four professional development events on topics to be decided by the cohort, such as proposal writing, establishing inclusive collaborations, career building, and public speaking

  5. The development and/or execution of cohort-driven activities pertaining to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) and/or exoplanet science and engineering

  6. Mentorship opportunities with the organizers of the ExoExplorers program.

The activities described above will largely be shaped by the unique interests and needs of the cohort. Therefore, we seek applicants who are actively seeking to enrich and enhance their exoplanet science and DEIA in the broader exoplanet community via engaging with each other, as well as with the ExoGuides and the ExoExplorer program organizers.

[1] NASA places restrictions on interactions with several countries: Iran, Syria, North Korea, and China. If you are a citizen of one of these countries or are currently affiliated with an institution in one of these countries, please see our FAQ page for additional details/restrictions on applying.

Code of Conduct

All participants in the Exoplanet Explorers Science Series are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct.

Acknowledgements Policy

We ask that ExoExplorers cohort members follow the program acknowledgements policy.