Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations

1. 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

2. 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. • 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. Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review

3. Major 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) Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review

4. Major 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 Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review

5. Major 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 • 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 Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review

6. Major 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 • 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 Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review

7. Major 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 Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review

8. What 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 Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review

9. 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… Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review

10. Major 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 • All potential MPs have field components, and all also have laboratory and/or modeling components as well. Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review

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

12. Major 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 • 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 Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) 2013 NSF Review

13. New 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) 2013 NSF Review