School Registration

Applications for the 2023 Submillimeter Array are now being accepted, and can be found here. Please read the instructions below before proceeding to the application.

Only students who are intending on participating in the full set of activities -- including the observing and data reduction sessions -- need to put in an application. Those who are only attending the lecture sessions (either in person or online) can instead sign up here. Further questions about can be directed to sma-school@cfa.harvard.edu. Space may be limited, with seats provided on a first-come, first-served basis (with students who submit a complete application given priority).

Application Instructions

When first logging in to the application system, you will need to create an account with the CfA Application service. To do so, simply enter your e-mail address and click the 'Update Account' button, then the 'Register' button. This will allow you return to an in-progress application later on. Any and all documents uploaded to the application (i.e., the personal statement and observing proposal) must be in PDF format. Note that letters of reference are neither required not accepted for the school (the portal makes mention of them because it is also used for other student/job opportunities).

The application requires a brief statement on why you are interested in attending the school, which should only be a paragraph or two in length, not to exceed a page in total length. You may enter this in either as plain text on the application form, or as a 1-page PDF (use of both formats is not required).

The application also requires submission of a short proposal (1 page maximum, including text, figures, and bibliography included) for an observation to be potentially conducted during the school. The proposal should include a scientific justification, and provide a brief technical justification that includes the total requested observing time, the frequency setup, the configuration required, and the target sensitivity. Students may use materials from prior SMA observing proposals, so long as all material is written solely student submitting the application.

As each student will be awarded one hour of observing time, which may be used at the discretion of the student (some restrictions apply), though students will be encouraged to work together. Students wishing to maximize the feasibility of their proposed projects being observed should utilize the following setup:

Advanced users may specify instrument configurations beyond the recommended setup -- you can use the SMA Passband Visualizer and the SMA sensitivity calculator, but be aware that your observational setup will be checked for validity. Note that while weather conditions on Maunakea year-round are generally good, the proposed observations are more likely to happen if they can make use of 4mm PWV weather (i.e., weather suitable for 230 GHz observations).

Admitted and wait-listed students will be selected based on their applications. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, creed, national origin or gender. We particularly encourage applications from individuals belonging to historically underrepresented groups.