Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations C-DEBI Major Program Nomination, Discussion, and Selection Process C-DEBI NSF Annual Review 14 January 2013 USC, Los Angeles CA C-DEBI NSF Annual Review 14 January 2013 USC, Los Angeles CA

In the beginning… C-DEBI was first proposed to NSF as an RCN, and later as an STC, on the basis of common themes and goals. Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review At the time when the STC proposal was written, three Major Programs were on the horizon; all three were approved/scheduled when the STC was approved. The Major Programs have always been more than drilling, included: site survey, analytical work, follow- up expeditions (for JdF and NP). C-DEBI is intended to facilitate and contribute to development of additional research programs that could benefit from STC networking, collaboration, leveraging. Work on the three initial Major Programs will continue for some years to come, although primary drilling activities are complete; thus C-DEBI is looking for new opportunities for transformational discovery in subseafloor microbiology.

Major Programs Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review C-DEBI Major Programs are… … a focus of STC activities … featured on web and in print documents … monitored regularly for progress, discussed at meetings/workshops … often recipients of (modest) C-DEBI leveraging: small grants program, travel grants, graduate and post-doctoral fellowships C-DEBI Major Programs are not… … run by the STC (proponents lead) … funded primarily by the STC (external funding must be secured) … exclusively drilling or field based … limited to deep sea research (although DS connection must be clear)

Major Program Tiers Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Tier 1: poised to make significant contributions, achieve STC objectives significant funding has been secured for major operations/experiments can be the focus of a small-grants RFP, fellowships, workshops, travel entrains C-DEBI community members

Major Program Tiers Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Tier 1: poised to make significant contributions, achieve STC objectives significant funding has been secured for major operations/experiments can be the focus of a small-grants RFP, fellowships entrains C-DEBI community members Tier 2: potential to make major progress in 1–4 years external proposal(s) in review or will be submitted soon could be workshop, travel grants to support networking

Major Program Tiers Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Tier 1: poised to make significant contributions, achieve STC objectives significant funding has been secured for major operations/experiments can be the focus of a small-grants RFP, fellowships entrains C-DEBI community members Tier 2: potential to make major progress in 1–4 years external proposal(s) in review or will be submitted soon could be workshop, travel grants to support networking Tier 3: planning horizon of 4+ years no active proposals, may be unclear what is best way forward

Major Program Nominations Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Call was issued with background, FAQ, Data Sheet for submission of Major Program (MP) nominations Proponents asked to describe proposed MP, link to STC mission and goals, explain how objectives are to be achieved, identify most important C-DEBI themes and potential for collaboration, explain status and plans for upcoming work Data sheets posted online for review prior to AHM Proponents asked to provide a two-slide intro, poster for presentation and discussion AHM participants discussed proposed MPs during breakouts on second day of meeting Proponents asked to forward discussion record, revised Data Sheet (if desired), within 1 week after AHM

What was discussed in AHM breakout sessions Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Scientific background and context Primary STC objectives to be achieved History of work at the site/on the problem Research plans – what is funded, what proposals are planned, etc. Future opportunities and options (proposals, workshops, etc.) Working plan and rough schedule for progress Specific ways in which C-DEBI classification as a Major Program could be helpful

Major Program FAQ (abbreviated) Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Why bother? Networking, collaboration, advice, leveraging, acceleration of project pace. Resources are limited, but these are non-trivial contributions. Who decides? ExCom is responsible for charting directions for the STC, making sure goals are met, resources are targeted. Who is on ExCom? ExCom comprises initial NSF co-PIs for the STC (leaders of initial Major Programs) and the Deputy Director of the STC. Could ExCom change? Much depends on what new leadership develops for Tier 1 Major Programs. STCs usually have modest (or no) turn-over in leadership at renewal. This remains possible for C-DEBI…

Major Program (MP) Submissions 2012 Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Ten MP Data Sheets submitted prior to All Hands Meeting in Fall 2012 All proponent groups provided a poster for presentation at the AHM, and all were represented by the lead proponent or a representative Potential MPs were split between work with sediments and rock FieldLaboratoryModeling 1086 All potential MPs have field components, and all also have laboratory and/or modeling components as well. SedimentsRocks 77

Major Program (MP) Submissions 2012 Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Proposed MPs addressed one to four of the main C-DEBI themes Tier 1Tier 2Tier Following ExCom review, proposed MPs were categorized into Tiers ActivityExtentLimits of LifeEvolution 8846

Major Program Tiers Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Tier 1: poised to make significant contributions, achieve STC objectives significant funding has been secured for major operations/experiments can be the focus of a small-grants RFP, fellowships entrains C-DEBI community members Tier 2: potential to make major progress in 1–4 years external proposal(s) in review or will be submitted soon could be workshop, travel grants to support networking Tier 3: planning horizon of 4+ years no active proposals, may be unclear what is best way forward

New Major Programs: Next Steps Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review Data sheets, posters and other information available at C-DEBI web site, along with Tier categorization Proponents encouraged to continue developing projects, alert ExCom when projects are scheduled, external funding is secured, opportunities are available for C-DEBI community members to participate – Tiers can change when projects are ready! RFPs will be written so as to encourage submission of proposals and applications for small grants, fellowships (postdoc, grad), travel funding, workshop support Proponents asked to provide periodic updates and announcements for the newsletter, presentation at meetings, etc. New Major Programs can be proposed, existing Major Programs can continue as long as they are productive, offer significant opportunities for transformative discovery