Track 2 Single Facility Request Process

Track 2 proposals are for domestic research projects that require a single LAOF or CIF.  Please note that deployments including aircraft, a network of instruments and multi-year deployments are not eligible under Track 2. Track 2 FIRP proposals can be submitted to NSF 9–15 months ahead of the planned activity. 

For detailed information, please consult the NSF Facility and Instrumentation Request Process (FIRP) solicitation.

Track 2 | EOL Request Process

The PI must include a copy of the LAOF facility request and EOL-provided cost estimate as supplementary documentation with the FIRP proposal. For EOL to prepare the required documents and share with the PI in a timely manner, the following the steps are necessary:

1. PI engages with EOL during the proposal preparation process to ascertain facility availability and suitability for the proposed research.
2. PI submits the required Statement of Interest (no more than 3 pages) to NSF FARE Program Director with copy to the cognizant science program director and EOL 3 months prior to proposal submission.
3. NSF FARE Program Director will confirm Track 2 proposal route and proposal timeline.
4. PI submits facility request to EOL via PRESTO at least two months before the NSF/PI agreed upon FIRP proposal submission date.
5. EOL prepares a budget estimate in the form of a ROM for the requested LAOF.
6. EOL shares a copy of the completed facility request form and the ROM cost estimate with PI no later than one week before the FIRP proposal deadline.
7. PI submits FIRP Proposal with supplementary documentation to NSF 9 – 15 months prior to the start of the research activity.
8. EOL shares a copy of the feasibility with the PI and NSF one month after the submission date.
9. NSF makes funding decision.
10. If funded, PI and EOL start the project planning and implementation process.
11. Deployment

Track 2 | Required & Supplementary Documents in PRESTO

Prepare the following required document in PDF format for upload to PRESTO as part of the facility request.

• Experiment Plan (no more than 10 pages)
  This document should provide details about the experiment setup of the requested LAOF and their planned use. Suggested information includes the number of the facilities involved and a description of the associated instrumentation requested, the facility deployment methods, how the observing facility(ies) will be deployed to address the research objectives / hypotheses, the number of intensive operating periods (if appropriate), and other relevant information to assess the feasibility of the LAOF to meet the scientific objectives.
• Data Management Plan (no page limit)
  This document should provide an overview of how data will be managed across the project.

Contact:
Brigitte Baeuerle
baeuerle@ucar.edu