[ASA] 2021B Anglo-Australian Telescope Call for Large Program Proposals

Fri Feb 5 16:25:46 AEDT 2021

2021B Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) Call for Large Program Proposals

Background:   

The AAT Consortium aims to provide opportunities for astronomers to make
effective use of the AAT's unique capabilities to address major scientific
questions through Large Programs using any of the following general-user
instruments at the AAT: 2dF+AAOmega, 2dF+HERMES, KOALA and Veloce.  The
calls for Large Programs are issued annually. 

This Call:   

The AAT Consortium is issuing this request for Large Program proposals to
commence from Semester 2021B onwards, receiving an initial allocation of
time up to the end of 2025A, but noting that allocations may need to be
reviewed subject to the funding available to the AAT Council after June
2022. 

All proposals will be evaluated by the Australian Time Allocation Committee
(ATAC) and up to three external experts will be called on as expert
reviewers. Ambitious projects are encouraged; in some past semesters, Large
Programs have been allocated almost 50% of the available time. Existing AAT
Large Program commitments are listed at
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/znwqCyojxQTvREV4fZUEbh?domain=aat.anu.edu.au

Deadline:   

Proposals for Large Programs should be submitted to ATAC by 16 March 2021 at
17:00 (Australian Eastern Daylight Time; UTC + 11 hrs).

Submission:   

All proposals should be submitted with the AAT's online application system
Lens ( <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/mYBgCzvkyVClAvVrHXooq7?domain=lens.datacentral.org.au> https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/mYBgCzvkyVClAvVrHXooq7?domain=lens.datacentral.org.au),
which will open on 1 March 2021. The Lens system has recently been
transitioned into Data Central. Any issues or bugs encountered by proposers
should be reported to Simon O'Toole (simon.otoole at mq.edu.au
<mailto:simon.otoole at mq.edu.au>  ). For the additional user support please
contact Shona Madoc, AAL Program Administrator at
<mailto:lens_support at astronomyaustralia.org.au>
lens_support at astronomyaustralia.org.au.  

Non-standard page limits and section headings will apply as outlined below. 

The case for a proposed Large Program must include: 

1. A major, compelling and feasible scientific program. The proposal should
focus on key questions that the observational data would address, but should
also outline anticipated secondary uses of the data by the broader
community. 'Major' in this context will generally mean programs requiring 50
nights or more (there is no set upper limit), possibly extending over
several semesters. The science will be expected to be ground-breaking and
not just incremental. Proposers need to discuss what their program will
achieve in comparison with other on-going and future programs on similar
timescales. The scientific program should be described in no more than 5
pages (including figures, tables, and references). 

2. An observing strategy describing the provision of the input target
sample; the detailed plan for the observations (number of nights including
the standard allowance for weather, cadence of time-critical observations,
and total duration of the project); the proposed instrumental setups;
constraints on weather conditions or timing of observations; signal-to-noise
or other figures of merit required to achieve the science goals; and any
special support needed for the observations. The number of targets, required
data quality, sensitivity limits and other relevant information should be
rigorously justified. Programs requiring multiple visits to the same field
should present a strategy for updating targets to achieve optimum
efficiency. The observing strategy should be described in no more than 2
pages. 

3. A management plan outlining the collaboration involved in the program;
the sharing of responsibilities for scientific management; the planning of
observations; the carrying out of observations; data reduction; quality
control at each of these stages; data release to the community and
compliance with International Virtual Observatory Alliance standards; and
finally, data analysis and exploitation by the proposing team. Specifically,
the plan should address the following issues. 

a. Data reduction procedures and requirements: what are the team's specific
data reduction needs and their capacity to support these needs? 

b. Funding: what resources have been secured (or are being secured) to
support team personnel, and what is the duration of this funding? 

c. Observing management: what observing experience (directly applicable to
the AAT instrument to be used) do team members have, and how many have
indicated a willingness to participate in observing runs? The AAT Consortium
expects all Large Program teams to be self-supporting at the AAT, with a
team of observers who are already trained in the operations of the
instrument(s), and able to train other team members to the required level of
competence, without additional support from AAT staff. 

d. Observatory support: Large Program teams are expected to assist the
Observatory in maintaining Instrument User Manuals, and in monitoring the
long-term performance of the instruments they use. The teams will be
required to report on these activities every semester.

The plan should outline the roles of all team members and how members
contribute to carrying out the program. Proposers may also wish to suggest a
publication strategy, including the process for determining authorship. The
management plan should be described in no more than 2 pages. 

4. A project timeline, including the observational and analysis aspects,
with milestones for regular reviews by ATAC during the program. 

5. An outreach plan. Proposers should plan for significant public outreach,
and the proposal should explain the broader impact of the project. The
timeline and outreach plan, together, should be described in no more than 1
page. 

Teams:   Proposers are encouraged to form broad collaborations across the
Australian and international communities in support of their programs. The
Principal Investigators for Large Programs will generally be expected to
commit to the project as the prime focus of their research over the
program's duration. Proposers should also familiarise themselves with ATAC's
Policies and Procedures (see
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/2rVYCANpgjCyzMqRt963M5?domain=aat.anu.edu.au and the existing AAT
Large Program commitments (see
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/xZJHCBNqjlCQO32nUjyoRI?domain=aat.anu.edu.au. 

Anonymous proposal reviews:

The AAT Consortium places a high value on equity and integrity and is
trialling implementation of a dual-anonymous proposal review process for
regular proposals in 2020/2021. Currently Large Programs are excluded from
this trial. However, in moving toward the goal of full implementation of the
anonymous review process, the ATAC and external referees will conduct their
assessment of Large Programs without seeing any of the names associated with
the proposal. Proposers are asked to prepare proposals in accordance with
the Anonymity guidelines listed below. The goal is to enable reviewers to
focus on the science, not the scientist. Several studies have shown that a
reviewer's attitude toward a submission may be affected, even unconsciously,
by the identity of the lead author or principal investigator (see the
<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/_FLDCD1vlpT2kQGxuli4-Y?domain=stsci.edu
uments/anonymous-double-blind-review-annotated-bibliography.pdf>
Anonymous-Double Blind Review Annotated Bibliography).

Anonymity Guidelines for Proposers

These guidelines will help conceal the identities of the proposers and
ensure a fairer proposal evaluation process. 

1.	Do not include author names or affiliations anywhere in the proposal
text. This includes but is not limited to page headers, footers, diagrams,
figures, or watermarks. This does not include references to past work, which
should be included whenever relevant (see below).
2.	Referencing is an essential part of demonstrating knowledge of the
field and progress. When citing references within the proposal, use third
person neutral wording. This especially applies to self-referencing. For
example, replace phrases like "as we have shown in our previous work (Doe et
al. 2010)" with "as Doe et al. (2010) showed..." Do not refer to previous
projects using AAT or other observatories in an identifying fashion. For
instance, rather than write "we observed another cluster, similar to the one
we are proposing under AAT program #XXXXX," instead write "AAT program
#XXXXX has observed this target in the past..."
3.	We encourage references to published work, including work citable by
a DOI. It may be occasionally important to cite exclusive access datasets or
non-public software that may reveal (or strongly imply) the investigators on
the proposal. We suggest proposers use language like "obtained in private
communication" or "from private consultation" when referring to such
potentially revealing work.
4.	Do not include acknowledgements for any grant funding.  

Selection:   The number of Large Programs to be awarded time will be
determined by ATAC with a preference for a small number of very high quality
programs delivering high impact science as quickly as possible. Within these
guidelines, ATAC will award time based on considerations including the
relative scientific merit and impact of Large Programs, long-term programs
and standard programs; the quality of the management, publication and
outreach plans; and the phasing of programs to provide a steady rollover of
Large Programs for the longer term. A panel of independent expert referees
will be asked to provide comments on the proposals, and proposers will be
given the opportunity to respond to the referees' comments. The proposers
will be asked to submit biannual progress reports. At its discretion ATAC
may seek progress reports (which may be refereed) at various stages of the
project. 

Contact: Anyone considering submitting a Large Program should contact the
SSO Director ( director.sso - at - anu.edu.au ) to discuss their plans.

Dr Lucyna Kedziora-Chudczer | Program Manager

ATAC Technical Secretary
Astronomy Australia Ltd (Sydney Office)

P: +61 2 9372 4842
E: lucyna.chudczer at astronomyaustralia.org.au
<mailto:lucyna.chudczer at astronomyaustralia.org.au>  

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https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/4bgYCE8wmrtrNKXqcQJtsM?domain=astronomyaustralia.org.au/

AAL is committed to equity and diversity and endeavours to create an
environment in which every individual is treated with dignity and respect.

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