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The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science will support Rubin Observatory in its operations phase to carry out the Legacy Survey of Space and Time. They will also provide support for scientific research with the data. During operations, NSF funding is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) under a cooperative agreement with NSF, and DOE funding is managed by SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), under contract by DOE. Rubin Observatory is operated by NSF NOIRLab and SLAC.

NSF is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science. NSF supports basic research and people to create knowledge that transforms the future.

The DOE Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

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    3. Gemini time for alert follow-up

    Gemini time for alert follow-up

    Date last updated: 21 Jun 2026 10:22 (MST)

    The "Once in a Rubin Gem" Director’s Discretionary (DD) program is an initiative of the International Gemini Observatory specifically designed to guarantee rapid follow-up of the most exciting and unexpected discoveries from the LSST.

    Starting in 2026A and continuing for 3 years, 120 hours (total) is dedicated to the rapid follow-up of “Rubin Gems”. A Rubin Gem is defined as a rare or scientifically critical phenomenon requiring immediate follow-up observations to avoid the loss of vital scientific information. To be eligible, a target must be identified via the LSST alert stream. "Unknown unknowns” and speculative targets that may be unlikely to be approved by a Time Allocation Committee (TAC) are particularly encouraged.

    Call for proposals: Once in a Rubin Gem Director’s Discretionary Initiative

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