FIRP Track 3 proposals support deployments involving major FARE resources, including aircraft, instrumentation networks, multiple LAOF, or a combination of LAOF and CIF resources. Multi-year research campaign also fall under Track 3.  

Track 3 proposals have two submission timeframes determined by the complexity of the proposed deployment.  Deployment complexity is associated with the lead time required to conduct the field campaign and may depend on factors such as project location, requested resources, instrument integration requirements, and the level of interagency or international collaboration. NSF, in consultation with the facility provider(s), will determine the appropriate proposal deadline. 

  • Straightforward: proposal submission 15–21 months prior to the campaign start date
  • Complex: proposal submission 18–24 months prior to the campaign start date  

A copy of the PI-submitted facility requests and EOL-provided cost estimates, all available through the FARE Planner Tool, must be included as supplementary documentation with the FIRP proposal. 

For detailed guidance, please refer to the NSF Facility and Instrumentation Request Process (FIRP) solicitation.

 

EOL Request Process 

To allow sufficient time for preparation and coordination, the following steps are required:

  • PI engages with EOL during proposal development to discuss facility suitability and availability for the proposed research.
  • PI submits the required Statement of Interest through the FARE Planner Tool three (3) months prior to proposal submission.
  • NSF FARE Program Director confirms the Track 3 complexity (straight forward or complex), proposal pathway, and proposal deadline.
  • PI submits a facility request through the FARE Planner Tool at least two (2) months before the FIRP proposal submission deadline.
  • EOL prepares a draft feasibility assessment and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimates for the requested LAOF.
  • EOL uploads the draft feasibility assessment and ROM cost estimates to the FARE Planner Tool no later than two weeks before the FIRP proposal deadline.
  • PI downloads the required documents from the FARE Planner Tool and includes them with the FIRP proposal submission.
  • NSF reviews the proposal and makes funding decision.
  • If funded, EOL updates the draft feasibility assessment and cost estimates and uploads them to the FARE Planner Tool.
  • PI and EOL start the project planning and implementation.

 

Required & Supplementary Documents in PRESTO

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

  • Experiment Plan (no more than 10 pages for straight forward; 15 pages for complex)
    This document should describe the experiment setup and planned use of the requested LAOF 
  • Data Management Plan (no page limit)
    This document should provide an overview of how project data will be managed, shared, and archived through the project lifecycle.
  • List of Publications (no page limit)
    This document should list relevant publications resulting from previous NSF LAOF support for the PI and Co-PIs within the last five years. Provide the information in a table format, including the campaign name and year, LAOF used, publication citation, and digital object identifier. If there are no publications, upload a document indicating so.
  • User-supplied Scientific Payload [for NSF/NCAR aircraft requests only]
    Completed the appropriate LAOF Aircraft User-supplied Airborne Instrumentation Form for each instrument (no page limit). 
  • Any additional facility information, if other relevant information as needed in PDF format that pertains to this request (no page limit).

 

Contact:
Brigitte Baeuerle (baeuerle@ucar.edu)