NSF TeraGrid Phase III: eXtreme Digital Resources for Science and Engineering (XD)
WHAT: Limited Submission Proposal for the National Science Foundation (NSF 08-571) TeraGrid Phase III: eXtreme Digital Resource for Science and Engineering (XD)
WHO: Texas A&M University faculty. TAES, TEES and TTI personnel may wish to submit internal proposals through their own agency.
WHY: NSF anticipates awards up to $3.0 million dollars per year for a maximum of five years for the High-Performance Remote Visualization and Data Analysis Services; awards up to $12.0 million dollars per year for a maximum of five years for XD Coordination and Management Service (CMS); awards up to $3.0 million dollars per year for a maximum of five years for Technology Audit and Insertion Service (TAIS); awards up to $8.0 million dollars per year for a maximum of five years for Advanced user Support Service (AUSS); and awards up to $3.0 million dollars per year for Training, Education and Outreach Service (TEOS).
WHEN: Internal proposal deadline of July 28, 2008.
HOW: TAMU faculty should submit internal proposal via email for review by the internal selection committee.
THE FINE PRINT:
The funding agency below has limited the number of proposals to two per institution. One can be a full proposal for High-Performance Remote Visualization and Data Analysis Services and one can be a preliminary proposal for either a single one of four Integrating Services or a preliminary proposal for the XD Coordination and Management Service (CMS) and one or more of the other three integrating services. If the number of faculty wishing to submit a proposal exceeds the number allowed by the agency, we will conduct an internal selection process. Below are due dates for the program, including the due date of the internal proposal for review by the internal selection committee, the date for announcement of the internal selection and the due date for submission to the agency.
AGENCY: National Science Foundation (NSF)
AGENCY PROGRAM TITLE: NSF 08-571 TeraGrid Phase III: eXtreme Digital Resources for Science and Engineering (XD)
BRIEF PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The TeraGrid Phase III: eXtreme Digital Resources for Science and Engineering (XD) Program is the next phase of the TeraGrid. The primary goal is to enable major advances in science and engineering research, in the integration of research and education, and in broadening participation in science and engineering by under-represented groups, by providing researchers and educators with usable access to extreme-scale digital resources, beyond those typically available on a typical campus, together with the interfaces, consulting support and training necessary to facilitate their use. Scientific impacts of the TeraGrid resources have been felt in astronomy, astrophysics, atmospheric science, biochemistry, chemistry, civil engineering, computer science, condensed matter physics, earth science, materials research, mechanical engineering, nanotechnology, ocean science, particle physics, plasma physics, relativity, and the social, behavioral and economic sciences.
A full proposal for the High-Performance Remote Visualization and Data Analysis Services should include: the deployment and operation of one or more remote visualization systems, including all necessary hardware and software, the deployment of an initial set of powerful, reasonably general data analysis software tools, suitable for remote analysis of vary large datasets and/or more general digital objects, such as three-dimensional scans, video data, scanned texts, etc., together with a suitable gateway portal to provide access to the visualization and analysis tools; and a plan for discovering and deploying more advanced data analysis tools as they become available during the lifetime of the award.
A preliminary proposal for XD Coordination and Management Service (CMS) will be responsible for: the design of the grid architecture of XD; the management of its implementation; the coordination of regular reporting of XD activities to NSF; the management of accounting, authorization, authentication, allocation and security services; the coordination of the component services that make up XD; the maintenance of a responsive, user-centric operational posture for XD; and the coordination of those service providers that provide access to physical resources to maintain a XD network that meets the needs of the user community. Further, it is anticipated that XD will include mechanisms to increase the rate of exchange of expertise and technology between academia and industry and to facilitate academic-industry research partnerships.
A preliminary proposal for Technology Audit and Insertion Service (TAIS) should: continually test the user environment and capabilities provided by XD to ensure delivery of the highest possible quality of service (QOS); and review and test advanced software tools for manipulating, processing and analyzing very large amounts of information, as these tools become available. TAIS will also provide internal quality assurance and quality control for XD, measure quantitative and qualitative metrics of quality of service and periodically report to the coordinating body for the XD.
A preliminary proposal for Advanced User Support Service (AUSS) will coordinate and contribute to the provision of advanced user support for XD, and will require some commitment of time and effort by consulting staff that is measured in multiple person-months and cover a broad range of types of consulting. In addition, AUSS will be able to coordinate the activities of the advanced user support staff at the XD nodes so that they form part of an integrated advanced user support service across XD.
A preliminary proposal for Training, Education and Outreach Service (TEOS) will implement a robust, national portfolio of activities in each of the following areas: training for staff, current users and prospective users; the integration of research and education; and the broadening of participation in science and engineering that exploits the XD resources by under-represented demographic groups.
More information can be found here.
AGENCIES ELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT: The TeraGrid Phase III (XD) Program is open to all types of organizations.
AWARD INFORMATION: NSF anticipates awards up to $3.0 million dollars per year for a maximum of five years for the High-Performance Remote Visualization and Data Analysis Services; awards up to $12.0 million dollars per year for a maximum of five years for XD Coordination and Management Service (CMS); awards up to $3.0 million dollars per year for a maximum of five years for Technology Audit and Insertion Service (TAIS); awards up to $8.0 million dollars per year for a maximum of five years for Advanced user Support Service (AUSS); and awards up to $3.0 million dollars per year for Training, Education and Outreach Service (TEOS).
ELIGIBLE PROJECT COSTS: Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations: NONE.
COST SHARING: NONE.
Internal Selection Procedures and Deadlines
July 25, 2008: Deadline for an email of intent, including the names of the PI and co-PIs, title of internal proposal and a 1-3 sentence description of the project. Send email of intent.
July 28, 2008: Deadline to obtain signatures of approval from your department head and college dean to submit an internal proposal to the Office of Sponsored Projects for review by the internal selection committee. The internal proposal should include:
(1) An executive summary, up to three pages, based on the proposal description as outlined in the NSF program announcement;
(2) Summary budget;
(3) Project and Management Plans (including team members);
The form for completing the internal proposal is here.
This completed form should be submitted electronically for review by the internal selection committee.
*Once your internal proposal has been received with all of the necessary signatures, you will receive an email indicating it will be reviewed by the internal selection committee. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please call 5-1812.*
Please read the RFP carefully for specific requirements of the program here.
Selection of a proposal will be based on NSF guidelines. The needs of the university’s reinvestment plan will also be taken into account.
During the selection process, the internal selection committee may contact departments and colleges for their opinions and commitments. They may also request additional information from PIs.
August 8, 2008: The Internal Selection Committee will notify PIs of the result of the internal competition.
November 4, 2008: Deadline for Integrating Services preliminary proposal and
deadline for High-Performance Remote Visualization and Data Analysis Services
full proposal (due by 5 p.m. submitter’s local time).
