PLEASE NOTE:
*
Date sent: Thu, 15 May 1997 07:52:57 +1200 (NZST)
To: cambridge-conference@livjm.ac.uk
From: Joel Schiff <schiff@math.auckland.ac.nz>
Subject: NEO Research Grants
THE PLANETARY SOCIETY
Announcement of Guidelines for Near-Earth Object
Grant Program
OBJECTIVES
The Planetary Society announces a Near-Earth Object (NEO) Grant
Program
which seeks to encourage the discovery and exploration of NEOs by
supporting
observation projects and related research around the world. The
Society
intends these grants to accelerate the NEO discovery rate, to
improve and
increase observations, and to encourage international cooperation
in this field.
CATEGORIES
The Planetary Society invites applications in one or more of the
following
categories:
1. NEO Observational Programs. Projects in this category could
include discovery programs and those projects that might increase
the rate
of discovery. For example, an observation program by an amateur
or at a
small observatory could provide follow-up to discoveries, and
thereby free
observers at larger telescopes for more discovery work. Such a
program
would qualify for a Planetary Society grant.
2. NEO Research Programs. The category will include all those
fields
relating to understanding NEOs and their roles in the evolution
of Earth and
the solar system. Spectroscopy measurements and analysis would be
an example
of a project in this category.
3. International Collaboration in NEO Observations. Projects in
this
category include those that develop international collaboration
through
cooperative research, or those that enable amateurs and
researchers at
smaller observatories to participate in NEO observations and data
analysis.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The selection committee will consider how a project enables
discoveries,
advances knowledge, and/or enhances international scientific
collaboration.
Projects will also be judged on their feasibility, creativity,
originality,
significance and likelihood of completion.
The committee will give special consideration to "seed"
grants -- where a
little help now can generate high leverage for future work.
Amateurs and
scientists and observers from developing countries will be given
special
consideration.
AMOUNTS OF GRANTS
The average grant will be $5,000 to $10,000, although the
selection
committee will consider a range from $1,000 to $25,000, depending
on need
and expected results. The amount available is made possible by
the donations
of Planetary Society members.
ELIGIBILITY
Anyone anywhere may submit an application for a Planetary Society
Near-Earth
Object grant. We will accept only one application per individual
or group.
An application submitted on behalf of a group must clearly
indicate the
person acting as the group's representative or principal
investigator. That
person must sign the application form.
Should a group project be chosen, the grant will be presented to
the group's
representative or principal investigator. The Planetary Society
will have no
obligation to any other member of the group.
APPLICATIONS
Applications may be submitted at anytime. To be considered, an
application
must be neatly printed in English by letter, no more than three
pages in
length. Supporting documentation may be submitted or referenced.
Send your application to:
NEO Grant Program
The Planetary Society
65. North Catalina Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91106-2301
USA
Applicants should send copies, not originals, of supporting
documents,
figures or photographs. No applications will be returned.
Supporting
materials must arrive with the application form unless prior
arrangements
are made.
NOTIFICATION
Grant recipients will be notified of their award as soon as a
decision is
made. No other notification will be sent by The Planetary Society
before
this date, except for requests by the selection committee for
supplementary
information.
SELECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The selection advisory committee for the NEO grants will be
composed of
internationally renowned scientists. The final selection will be
made by the
Board of Directors of The Planetary Society. The committee's
procedures and
deliberations will be kept confidential.
PUBLICATION OF AWARDS
Winners of the Planetary Society NEO grants will be published in
The
Planetary Report and The NEO News. The Society reserves the right
to publish
summaries of the most interesting projects in either publication.
The
Society also encourages professional publications and other
popular
promotion and articles, so long as proper credit is given for any
support.
CONTACT: NEO Grant Program: 818-793-5100; FAX: 818-793-5528
E-MAIL: tps@mars.planetary.org: WWW: http://planetary.org/tps/