1. Request Process For US Participants
(NSF only)
Brigitte Baeuerle
Earth Observing Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research
Stratéole-2 Workshop, Paris, 18/19 March 2015

2. NSF Guidance for “Large” Field Campaigns
Criteria:
International, especially remote deployments
Significant international / interagency collaboration
Large investigator team / multiple, individual science proposals
Involvement of multiple facilities
Multiple science objectives
Difficult deployment logistics
Lengthy field activities
Lengthy permitting process (research permits, clearances etc)
LAOF deployment costs excess of $1.25 Million
Although driftsonde is not part of the Lower Atmosphere Observing Facilities, NSF asks that ST-2 follows procedures associated with large campaigns

3. Required Documentation
Letter of Intent (LOI)
Submit to EOL
Scientific Project Overview (SPO)
Overall scientific justification of program
Submit to NSF via FastLane
Experiment Design Overview (EDO)
Overall concept of experiment including design, resource needs and management
Submit to NSF and EOL via
Individual Science Proposals
Submit to NSF via Fastlane
Facility Request
Submit to EOL for dropsonde (AVAPS)
Large projects require 2 antecedent documents:
Scientific Program Overview (SPO) -- overall justification for scientific program; formal proposal to NSF that is peer reviewed; review determines whether PIs are asked to submit individual science proposals
Experiment Design Overview (EDO) -- overall concept of experiment design, generic facility requirements, planned deployment scenario and management; submission to LAOF Program & Partner Organizations; reviewed by OFAP and EOL to determine feasibility of operations
SPO/EDO process provides longer lead-time for planning

4. Deadlines Documentation Recipient Deadline Letter of Intent
EOL (shared w/ NSF)
15 Sep FY-3
Request for Preliminary Cost Information (needed for SPO)
EOL & other facility providers
15 Nov FY-2
Submission of SPO
NSF via FastLane
15 Jan FY-2
Submission of EDO
EOL, LAOF Director, NSF Program Officer
Submission of Facility Request(s)
July/Aug FY-2 time frame (6 week after NSF notification)
Submission of individual Grant Proposals
July/Aug FY-2 timeframe

5. Step 3 – Science Proposal and Facility Request
Decision Tree
Step 1 – Letter of Intent
NSF Program Officer will respond within 3 weeks
(ST-2: mid October 2015)
Step 2 – SPO and EDO
Peer review of SPO carried out by NSF
EDO Assessment and OFAP review of EDO responsibility of EOL
NSF will decline or invite submission of proposals by no later than July FY-2
(ST-2: July 2016)
Step 3 – Science Proposal and Facility Request
Peer review of individual science proposals carried out by NSF
Feasibility and OFAP review of requests responsibility of EOL
NSF will approve individual science proposals and project by early CY FY-1
(ST-2: January-March 2017)

6. Observing Facilities Assessment Panel (OFAP)
Independent Advisory Panel to NCAR/EOL & LAOF Partner Organizations
18 scientists with broad-based experience in observational studies
Members recruited from US universities and agencies
Appointment by EOL Director based on recommendations
The overall goal of the OFAP process is to optimize support of NSF-sponsored observational science to assure that the scientific objectives of each campaign can be accomplished successfully
OFAP does not make funding decisions - NSF does!