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→ 2 THE ACCESS PROCESS 2.1 Overview The contact details for submittal of proposals will be This chapter presents the various routes by which indicated in each respective AO. Users should refer to interested users can access any of the four low- the following website for information on the latest gravity platforms and/or utilise specific ground- based Announcements of Opportunity: facilities, including bedrest capabilities. The focus is www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/ mainly on access through the European Space Agency Human_Spaceflight_Research/Research_ (ESA) (section 2.2), but in addition, complementary announcements routes for specific facilities are briefly summarised for completeness (see section 2.3). At regular intervals Users usually have about three to five months to ESA issues so-called Announcements of Opportunity submit a proposal following an announcement, while (AOs, also known as ‘Research Announcements’). another three to six months are required for the peer review process after submittal. These form the official access route for institutional users to utilise the various research facilities that are 2.2.1.1 Contents of a proposal managed by the ESA Directorate of Human Spaceflight The exact structure and contents of the proposal and Operations. In addition to this “baseline” approach package will vary from AO to AO and will be defined in there is also a “fast track” Continuously Open Research the AO text in detail. In general they will consist of the Announcement route that may be followed for specific following: categories of research and mission platforms. Cover page Students can also submit proposals to perform The cover page should contain: research on three of the low-gravity platforms and ground-based facilities, through the ESA corporate • the complete title of the project; student projects (see section 2.2.7). • The name, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address of the project coordinator; 2.2 European Space Agency access routes • the legal name and address of the project coordinator’s organisation; 2.2.1 Periodic Announcements of Opportunity • full names of collaborators and their Proposals are normally solicited through the organisations; Announcements of Opportunity (AOs), issued by ESA. • AO Reference number; • the signature of the responsible official or • ESA issues general AOs mainly for ISS experiments authorised representative of the organisation or and sounding rocket experiments; any other person authorised to legally bind the • dedicated AOs are issued mainly for bedrest organisation. studies, Concordia Isolation studies and radiation studies on a 1-2 year basis. Proposal abstract A brief description of the application stating the Some ESA research announcements are internationally broad, long-term objectives and specific aims of the coordinated with other ISS partners. International proposed work. The abstract should concisely describe Announcements of Opportunity allow for a worldwide the research design and methods for achieving these scientific competition and cooperation, by forming the objectives and aims. This is meant to serve as a succinct best scientific teams, as well as offering access to an and accurate description of the proposed work when instrument pool from all ISS partners. separated from the application. The abstract should not contain more than 300 words. The Access Process 2-1 Project description disciplines represented in the Letters of Intent The Project description should be approximately 10 (in which potential investigators are requested to to 15 pages long using regular double-spaced text. confirm their plans to submit a proposal in response to The proposal should contain sufficient detail to enable the announcement) and the final proposals received. a reviewer to make informed judgements about the The number of peers is determined such that each overall merit of the proposed research and about peer will have to review in detail a maximum of ten the probability that the investigators will be able to proposals, with a written report submitted before accomplish their stated objectives with their own/ the Peer Review Board meeting. Concerning optimal requested resources. The description must include: composition of the Peer Review Board and optimal competence of its members the peers shall have good • the scientific background and a clear explanation reputations and expertise in their own disciplines and of the relevance of the proposed microgravity no involvement in on-going space projects related to research; the proposals under review. • the schedule envisaged for performing this research. The confidentiality of the proposals by the reviewers is covered by: Biographical sketches For each key team member, a biographical sketch • signature of a confidentiality agreement; containing the following information must be • agreement that certain parts of the proposal submitted to ESA: indicated by the proposer can only be viewed and not copied; • name; • recognition that certain parts of the proposal • position and title; may have a specific commercial interest which • education/training (including institutes and shall remain confidential (in particular in case of location, degrees, years attended, field of study); application-oriented projects); • a brief summary of research and professional • respect of the intellectual property of the proposer. experience. The Chairman of the Peer Review Board and the Facilities and equipment Executive Secretary ensure that a written report is This section describes the facilities and major items produced on the occasion of the final deliberations of equipment, available from the team members' of the Peer Review Board, recording the overall institute(s), specially adapted or suited to the proposed assessment of the Board regarding each proposal and project, and any additional major equipment that the comments of each Primary Reviewer regarding the will be required. Before requesting a major item of proposals assigned to them. This written report is held unique equipment, coordinators should determine in a secure file by ESA. if sharing or loan of equipment already within the organisation is a feasible alternative to purchase. 2.2.1.3 Evaluation criteria Where such arrangements cannot be made, the The main selection criteria and the means to assess proposal should state this. The requirement for items proposals against them are: that can be typically used for research and non-research purposes should be explained. For all proposals: 2.2.1.2 Proposal evaluation • Scientific merit – assessed by independent peer The evaluation of submitted proposals is review; performed by Peer Review Boards. The list of Peers • Space relevance – assessed by independent peer for each Peer Review Board are drawn up from review; the Peer Pool by ESA in consultation with the • Technical feasibility – in-house expert assessment appropriate Working Group based on the sub- (ESA). 2-2 The Access Process Additionally, for application-oriented proposals: Biology and Environmental Monitoring: Jason Hatton • application potential – assessed by independent Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Operations peer review. European Space Agency Keplerlaan 1 2.2.1.4 Contacts 2201 AZ Noordwijk For general information regarding scientific access The Netherlands to the International Space Station and the other ESA Tel: +31 71 565 4059 sponsored low gravity platforms, users can contact Fax: +31 71 565 3661 the Head of the ISS Utilisation and Astronaut Support E-mail: [email protected] Department at the following: Physical Sciences: Martin Zell Olivier Minster Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Operations Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Operations European Space Agency European Space Agency Keplerlaan 1 Keplerlaan 1 2201 AZ Noordwijk 2201 AZ Noordwijk The Netherlands The Netherlands Tel: +31 71 565 3597 Tel: +31 71 565 4764 Fax: +31 71 565 3042 Fax: +31 71 565 3661 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] For specific information regarding solicited proposals For further information on payloads and non-ISS please contact the following ESA scientific coordinators: mission platforms contact the Head of the Payload and Platforms Division: Human Research: Jennifer Ngo-Anh Josef Winter Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Operations Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Operations European Space Agency European Space Agency Keplerlaan 1 Keplerlaan 1 2201 AZ Noordwijk 2201 AZ Noordwijk The Netherlands The Netherlands Tel: +31 71 565 8609 Tel: +31 71 565 8243 Fax: +31 71 565 3661 Fax: +31 71 565 3141 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] The Access Process 2-3 2.2.2 Continuously Open Research Announcement esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/ In July 2004, ESA released a Continuously Open Research publications/BR-300/pageflip.html Announcement (CORA) for access to ground-based facilities (though also now encompassing drop towers The proposal form for users wishing to apply to the and parabolic flights), which will remain permanently Continuously Open Research Announcement can be open until further notice. Scientists can apply to this downloaded at the following website: announcement as the need arises according to the www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/ schedule of their ongoing research. The research Research/Research_announcements announcement is open to all scientific disciplines, i.e. life sciences, physical sciences, and interdisciplinary sciences. 2.2.2.1 Work package breakdown and financial form