CTEMPS provides access to equipment for the advancement of understanding of environmental processes using innovative sensing. Since CTEMPS offers instrumentation that is not normally accessible, many times it is necessary to verify that it will perform as required for a particular application. In addition, CTEMPS seeks to introduce transformative equipment to scientists early in their careers to help them incorporate these technologies as they establish their research trajectories. To assist the community in this effort, CTEMPS has a pilot program, where equipment and support is made available for short-term installations on limited budgets with the primary goal to collect publishable data that verifies feasibility. The Pilot Program is open to graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, and tenure-track PIs with preference given to young investigators.

 

   

Proposals are evaluated based on these criteria, with the basis that if equipment is available, it will be provided to all valid uses, and otherwise prioritized via this point system:

  1. Provide access to instrumentation that could transform the research experience of the individual or group (scientific merit – 20 pts plus 10 pts if graduate student led);
  2. Their likelihood of leading to scientific discovery using this instrumentation (feasibility 20 – pts);
  3. Likelihood of team to succeed (demonstrated ability – 20 pts);
  4. Linkages to educational opportunities (broader merit – 20 pts plus 10 pts if graduate student led);
  5. Addressing inequity in access to support (equity – 20 pts).

Instrument leasing and mobilization fees can be waived, however no financial support is provided. Proposals will be reviewed and awarded by the CTEMPs staff. Prospective PI's are encouraged to contact the staff of the Center with any questions.
Proposal applications are accepted anytime. Proposals are reviewed by the CTEMPs staff with notification within 3 weeks of submission. We encourage you to get in contact with CTEMPs staff to develop your Pilot Program proposal to refine concepts, experimental design, and logistical aspects. Proposals should be submitted in electronic form to Cara Walter.

Proposal Contents:

  1. Standard CTEMPS Instrument Request form
  2. Up to two-page document consisting of a project summary, and a numbered set of 5 paragraphs indicating the merits of the proposal related to each of the five criteria discussed above.
  3. References (no limit)
  4. Budget, Resources, and Schedule (one page demonstrating practicability)
  5. Curriculum Vitae of team

Data Policy: As in all CTEMPS projects, data will be made public consistent with the overall CTEMPs Data Sharing Policy.

Report: Awardees are required to submit a report one year after the delivery of the data.