About the AST Program
Through SERVIR, NASA's Earth Science Division’s Applied Sciences Program advances the use of space-based observations to inform policy and decision makers as they adapt to the impacts of global change and plan for a sustainable future. The Applied Sciences Team (AST) supports SERVIR in developing science applications and services for international development through the use of Earth observations. Developed in collaboration with SERVIR regional hubs, these projects are also designed to build regional capacity for using these cutting edge tools and data.
AST members have collaborated with colleagues at SERVIR's hubs across the globe: Amazonia, Hindu Kush Himalaya, Southeast Asia, and West Africa, as well as Mesoamerica and Eastern & Southern Africa (which are no longer part of SERVIR). The projects bring the latest in Earth observation and geospatial technologies to bear on regional issues related to agriculture and food security, water resources and hydroclimatic disasters, land cover and land use change and ecosystems, and weather and climate.
In 2011, the NASA Research Opportunities for Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) A solicitation was issued for SERVIR’s first Applied Sciences Team (AST). After a competitive process, eleven proposals were selected as four-year funded efforts to address identified end-user needs in SERVIR hub regions. A second cohort was selected in 2015, followed by a third in 2019. The most recent cohort was announced in February 2023.
- Learn more: SERVIR AST: Past, Present, and Future
- View AST Publications: https://servirglobal.net/ast-publications
Featured AST News
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The SERVIR Applied Sciences Team: Past, Present, and Future
In February 2023, SERVIR officially welcomed its fourth Applied Sciences Team. For the next three years, they will support SERVIR’s efforts to deliver geospatial tools for communities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
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NASA feature highlights Applied Sciences Team monitoring drought in Eastern Africa
A recent NASA article highlighted Applied Sciences Team Principal Investigator Dr. Evan Thomas and the Drought Resilience Impact Platform (DRIP).
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SERVIR Applied Sciences Team PI featured in BYU article about SERVIR streamflow forecast tool
SERVIR AST PI Jim Nelson of BYU was featured in a recent news article posted online by the university, focused on his AST streamflow forecasting project in the HKH region.
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Applied Sciences Team project informs decision makers with fire season forecast
SERVIR AST member Doug Morton discusses the upcoming fire season in Amazonia in a new NASA article.
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NASA Announces New SERVIR Applied Sciences Team
After a multi-round solicitation process, NASA has selected the 20 projects comprising the next SERVIR Applied Sciences Team.
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SERVIR Applied Sciences Team helping African countries track and protect forests
With a growing population, increased demand for agricultural land and fuel wood are depleting Africa's forests.
