Welcome to the Eclipse Ambassador Application Page
Please review this entire page before beginning the Application. Find more detailed Requirements and Benefits below below to ensure you qualify for the program.
If you would like to review the Application questions before applying, see the Eclipse Ambassador Application Questions Preview
Not an amateur astronomer or undergraduate? Community Members please fill out our Partner Interest Form
Online Training begins in March - partnerships happening now - bring your own or get partnered through the program!
Please allow up to 1 month for your application fo be reviewed. We receive many applications each day and working to review them and check references as quickly as possible.
Program Benefits and Participation Requirements
Benefits for Ambassadors:
- Prepare your community off the central paths to enjoy two partial eclipses
- Make new connections through partnerships with community organizations
- Learn best practices in eclipse engagement strategies and activities
- Receive a generous set of activity materials for use during the community event(s)
- Earn official recognition from NASA as an Eclipse Ambassador, including a badge, certificate, and letter to your school or club
- Create connections with NASA scientists through offices hours and networking opportunities
- All partners receive a one year membership to the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
- Apply for an opportunity to travel to the central paths of each eclipse for an official NASA event (limited spots available)
- Undergraduates partners receive a $100 stipend upon completion of the program requirements
- Undergraduates have opportunities to continue their NASA journey with field study of the aurora and other opportunities (limited spots)
Each Ambassador must completely fill out the Application truthfully and to the best of their ability.
Requirements for All Ambassadors:
- Must be at least 18 years old and living in the US at the time of application
- Willing to undergo a Been Verified background check
- Agrees to abide by the project Group Norms
- Partnership: Partner with a local amateur astronomer or undergraduate student
- Train together via the online training
- Meet with your partner as needed either in person or virtually
- As apartnership, plan your local community event including reaching out to a community venue to host the event. Program staff are available to provide support in this area.
- Training: The self-paced workshop takes about 12-15 hours to complete. We recommend completing it in 4-6 weeks, although this timing is flexible and you can complete it at your own pace. Workshop elements include:
- Activities for getting to know your partner and setting a solid foundation for your partnership
- Two 90-minute interactive live sessions via Zoom, offered frequently and at a variety of times to accommodate various schedules
- Four self-paced learning modules covering eclipse science, safe solar viewing, event planning, and inclusive public engagement
- A physical toolkit of demos and activities that you’ll share with your partner, to use during the workshop and in your public engagement events
- Events: Create one or more community events, with your partner, that serve a total of 200 people
- Goal to have at least 50% of your participants to be from underserved communities such as Title I schools, libraries serving recent immigrant populations, or other identified underserved audiences in your area
- Program staff will be available to support with connections to underserved communities
- Reporting: For each event, submit an Event Report which includes basic attendee information, photos, and description
- Complete program evaluation documentation and surveys
Note: Solar System Ambassadors are not being accepted into this program currently, but are encouraged to share the information with others in their communities. Thanks for understanding.
