In
August, IRIS submitted to the National Science Foundation's Division of
Earth Sciences a proposal to continue IRIS's funding through another 5-year
Cooperative Agreement. The proposal was produced by the IRIS
Executive Committee
on behalf of the IRIS Board of Directors, who in turn represent the full
membership of the Consortium. The proposal, titled "Exploring the
Earth at High Resolution", consists of a project description plus
two appendices.
The proposal's project
description outlines the role of the IRIS facilities in the context of
four major themes: a) high resolution, b) long-term observations, c) high
performance, and d) linking research with education. The front section
describes the science supported by IRIS facilities, and it includes an
overview of what is proposed for the next five years. The project description
concludes with a discussion of how each program will be implemented.
The first appendix
documents the
impact of IRIS on the Geosciences. A series of one-page descriptions,
contributed by over 100 researchers, provides specific examples of how
IRIS data have advanced our understanding of topics ranging from global
tomography and continental structure to the mechanics of volcanic eruptions
and the development of innovative educational programs and products. The
one-pagers also describe how IRIS facilities have become fully integrated
into both the research and operational systems associated with the National
Earthquake Information Center and the International Monitoring System
for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban
Treaty. Following the collection of one-page examples is a sample list
of publications that specifically acknowledge IRIS data or instrumentation.
The second appendix
contains detailed program plans for each of the IRIS facilities. For example,
the GSN will be operated and maintained (including replacement costs amortized
at 5%/year), data communications will be upgraded, and stations will be
enhanced with additional geophysical sensors. The PASSCAL plan places
a high priority on completing the PASSCAL inventory to its design goal
of 1000 short period instruments for active source and microearthquake
studies, and 500 instruments for passive source studies requiring longer
deployments. The plan for the Data Management System includes a request
for continued operation, replacement of the multi-terabyte mass store
system, and continued development of data distribution software. The Education
and Outreach Program will continue its current programs, expand its educational
displays, and provide more access to real-time data for educational purposes.
Developing a single
proposal that represents the collective scientific interests of almost
100 research institutions is a complex task. Although the formal process
of proposal development began in the Spring of 1999, the review, auditing,
and self-evaluation that form the background for the proposal has been
an on-going process within IRIS.
The IRIS Proposal
will be reviewed over the next year by external reviewers, a "special
emphasis panel", the Instrument and Facilities Program, and various
other committees of NSF. The process culminates with a presentation to
the National Science Board and a funding decision in Spring 2001.
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