center for dark energy biosphere investigations c-debi major program nomination, discussion, and...

Center for Dark Energy Biosphere InvestigationsCenter for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations

C-DEBI Major Program Nomination, Discussion, C-DEBI Major Program Nomination, Discussion, and Selection Processand Selection Process

C-DEBI NSF Annual ReviewC-DEBI NSF Annual Review14 January 201314 January 2013USC, Los Angeles CAUSC, Los Angeles CA

C-DEBI NSF Annual ReviewC-DEBI NSF Annual Review14 January 201314 January 2013USC, Los Angeles CAUSC, Los Angeles CA

In the beginning…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)Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI)2013 NSF Review2013 NSF ReviewCenter for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI)Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI)2013 NSF Review2013 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 ProgramsMajor Programs


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 TiersMajor Program Tiers


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



Tier 1:



• can be the focus of a small-grants RFP, fellowships


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 1:





Tier 2:




Tier 3:

• planning horizon of 4+ years

• no active proposals, may be unclear what is best way forward

Major Program NominationsMajor Program Nominations


• 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 sessionsWhat was discussed in AHM breakout sessions


• 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)Major Program FAQ (abbreviated)


• 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 2012Major Program (MP) Submissions 2012


• 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

Field Laboratory Modeling10 8 6

• All potential MPs have field components, and all also have laboratory and/or modeling components as well.

Sediments Rocks7 7

Major Program (MP) Submissions 2012Major Program (MP) Submissions 2012


• Proposed MPs addressed one to four of the main C-DEBI themes

Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 31 3 6

• Following ExCom review, proposed MPs were categorized into Tiers

Activity Extent Limits of Life Evolution8 8 4 6



Tier 1:





Tier 2:




Tier 3:

• planning horizon of 4+ years

• no active proposals, may be unclear what is best way forward

New Major Programs: Next StepsNew Major Programs: Next Steps


• 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

center for dark energy biosphere investigations c-debi major program nomination, discussion, and...

Documents

beginning cdebi

nsf review center

major programs center

cdebi community members

nsf review tier

major operationsexperiments

major program tiers

major progress