Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) will transform astronomy through an unprecedented combination of data volume, scientific opportunity, and open access. Realizing that opportunity requires more than exceptional telescopes and datasets. It requires software, computational infrastructure, interdisciplinary expertise, and a scientific community equipped to work together in new ways.
LSST Discovery Alliance develops and supports programs that strengthen this scientific ecosystem. Together, our programs help researchers overcome technical barriers, build collaborative networks, develop new skills, broaden participation, and accelerate scientific discovery with Rubin LSST.
Although each program has a distinct mission, they share a common goal: helping more people do better science with Rubin LSST data.
Our Program Areas
Software and Infrastructure
Build the software and computational ecosystem needed for Rubin LSST science.
We develop and support open-source software and professional software engineering that enable scientists to analyze Rubin LSST data efficiently, reproducibly, and at scale. We support community adoption of modern computational tools.
Programs: LINCC Frameworks, Project Dovetail
People and Professional Development
Prepare researchers for the era of data-intensive astronomy.
We invest in graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career scientists through interdisciplinary training and mentorship.
Programs: Catalyst Fellowship, Data Science Fellowship Program, Summer Student Program
Scientific Discovery
Accelerate new science and community innovation.
Our grants support early science, workshops, software, and collaborations that increase the scientific return from Rubin LSST.
Programs: Science Catalyst Grants, LINCC Frameworks Incubators, Project Dovetail, Community Events
Community & Inclusion
Strengthen the Rubin scientific community.
We lower barriers to participation, expand institutional partnerships, and build a more connected and inclusive research ecosystem.
Programs: Childcare Support Program, Expansion Partnership Program
A Connected Ecosystem
Each of these programs addresses a different challenge facing Rubin LSST science, but they are designed to reinforce one another.
Software developed through LINCC Frameworks supports researchers participating in Science Catalyst Grants. Fellowship programs prepare future scientific leaders. Project Dovetail helps research teams translate scientific ideas into sustainable software. Inclusive Collaboration initiatives broaden participation across the Rubin community.
Together, these investments create an ecosystem in which advances in software, people, and collaboration amplify one another, accelerating scientific discovery for the entire Rubin LSST community.
The Origins of LINCC
LSST Discovery Alliance’s interconnected portfolio of programs is known collectively as LINCC (the LSST Interdisciplinary Network for Collaboration and Computing). LINCC was established to recognize that realizing the scientific potential of Rubin LSST requires coordinated investments in software, computation, collaboration, and people—not just telescopes and data.
Today, LINCC continues to connect LSST-DA’s programs through partnerships with leading research institutions.
LINCC Node Institutions
The original LINCC network was established through four partner institutions that continue to provide leadership across software, data science, and interdisciplinary collaboration:
- Carnegie Mellon University
- University of Washington
- University of Arizona
- Northwestern University