NA ALMA Cycle 5 Call for Study Proposals
The Cycle 5 call for Studies Proposals is now closed.
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) invites interested parties to submit proposals for Studies of Upgrades for the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The call for proposals is open to the NA ALMA Operations Partnership, which is defined as the community of astronomers and scientists in related fields from North American ALMA partner countries. Two categories of proposals are included is in this call: General Studies (funded for 1 year up to $$200,000 per individual award) and Strategic Studies (funded for 2 years up to $400,000 per individual award). Strategic Studies is a new proposal category that applies to in-depth studies directly aligned with the development priorities currently identified by the ASAC in the "Road Map for Developing ALMA" document (increasing throughput, improving mapping efficiency, improving spatial resolution and improving archive performance). More information on the Cycle 5 Calls for Proposals can be found in this presentation from August 2016.
Questions about this Call for Proposals
Questions related to this Call for Proposals should be submitted via email.
A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page is available, and will be updated as questions are received and answered.
Coordination Meeting - January 16, 2019
Submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI)
Proposers are requested to submit a Study Proposal NOI by March 20, 2017. This will ensure that all Proposers are included in the Cycle 5 mailing list. A NOI is non-binding. Please submit your Notice of Intent HERE.
Preparing a Cycle 5 Study Proposal
Details regarding the preparation of a Cycle 5 Study Proposal can be found in the following documents:
| Cycle 5 Study Proposal Documents | ||
|---|---|---|
| Call for Cycle 5 Study Proposals Cover Letter | ||
| Call for Cycle 5 Study Proposals - Instructions | ||
| Cycle 5 Study Proposal Template | Word |
NRAO Employees must submit a New Ideas Notification Form, which must be submitted and approved by the Director before proceeding with preparation of a formal Study Proposal. Prospective NRAO Proposers are encouraged to prepare and submit the New Ideas Notification Form as soon as possible. NRAO Proposers will follow the standard NRAO proposal development process, and the proposal document set must be approved by the Director's Office, AUI, and NSF prior to submission. Please allow adequate time for this process and receive authorization from the Director's Office before proceeding with preparation of a formal Study Proposal.
Submitting a Cycle 5 Study Proposal
The Cycle 5 call for Studies Proposals is now closed.
Call for Cycle 5 Study Proposals Schedule
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Release of Call for Study Proposals | 2017 March 01 |
| Informational Meeting |
2017 March 15 |
| Notice of Intent | 2017 March 20 |
| Proposer's Questions Submitted | 2017 April 12 |
| Proposal Deadline | 2017 May 01 |
| Notification of Awards | 2017 July 31 |
| Validity Date of Proposals | 2017 July 31 |
| Study Commencement Date | 2017 October 2 |
| General Study Completion Date | 2018 September 30 |
| Strategic Study Completion Date | 2019 September 30 |
Important Information on Cycle 5 Studies Call
Cycle 5 Study Proposals received by 5:00pm EDT, 01 May 2017 will receive full consideration. Individual organizations and institutions may submit multiple proposals. Each proposal, however, must comply fully with all of the applicable requirements, including content and submission by the deadline.
Supporting Documents & Links
| ALMA Development Documents | ||
|---|---|---|
| A Road Map for Developing ALMA | ASAC | |
| Pathways to Developing ALMA | Bolatto, Corder, Iono, Testi, Wootten | |
| Major Science Themes in the 2020-2030 Decade | ||
| Major Facilities by 2030 | ||
| ALMA Development Strategic Goals & Objectives | Link | |
| ALMA Development Studies Implementation Plan | ||
| ALMA Standards | Document No. | |
| ALMA Product Assurance Requirements | ALMA-80.11.00.00-001-D-GEN | |
| ALMA Quality Management Systems | ALMA-80.11.00.00-0092-A-STD | |
| ALMA Specifications | Document No. | |
| ALMA System Electromagnetic Compatibility Requirements | ALMA-80.05.01.00-001-B-SPE | |
| ALMA Environmental Specifications | ALMA-80.05.02.00-001-B-SPE | |
| ALMA Front End Specifications | ALMA.40.00.00.00-001-A-SPE | |
| ALMA Procedures | Document No. | |
| ALMA Design Reviews - Definitions, Guidelines and Procedures | ALMA-80.09.00.00-001-D-PLA | |
| ALMA Review Panel Instructions and Guidelines for Call Ending 2 May 2017 | ALMA-H-001.1 | |
| ALMA Product Tree | ALMA-80.03.00.00-001-M-LIS | |
| ALMA Post-award documents (relevant for proposal-writing) | ||
| FFATA Subrecipient Profile Questionnaire | ||
| ALMA Development Subrecipient Agreement | ||
| Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement | ||
| Subrecipient Representations & Certifications | ||
| ALMA Documents from Earlier Calls | ||
| Report from the ALMA Development Working Group | November 3, 2008 | |
| Principles for the ALMA Development Program | July, 2011 | |
| ALMA in the Coming Decade, Development Workshop | April 18, 2013 | Link |
| ALMA Software Development Workshop | October, 2011 | Link |
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