Scialog: Early Science with the LSST

Scialog: Early Science with the LSST

Funder: Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RCSA)

Overview: Team-based seed grants supporting collaborative research to accelerate scientific discovery using data from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST).

Focus Areas

• Astrophysics and cosmology
• Data-intensive analysis
• Early-stage scientific questions

Program Purpose

• Catalyze new collaborations at critical inflection points in science
• Prepare researchers to leverage LSST data as Rubin Observatory approaches first light
• Support development of novel approaches and shared infrastructure
• Lay groundwork for future large-scale research efforts enabled by LSST

Eligibility

• Interdisciplinary teams
• Six of seven funded teams in 2026 included faculty from LSST-DA member institutions

Geographic Scope

• International

Background

LSST-DA actively supported RCSA in the development of this LSST-focused Scialog series and facilitation of associated meetings. As of February 2026, seven new team-based seed grants have been announced through this initiative.