The Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility has a new mechanism for science community members to request measurements, data products, or data services that would help advance their science areas.
ARM Technical Director Jim Mather introduced the mechanism November 16 during a community input webinar. (If you missed the webinar, you can watch the hourlong video on ARM’s YouTube channel.)
ARM has a new web form where people can provide input outside of activities such as science meetings, focused workshops, and the field campaign proposal process. ARM also collects input from its user constituent groups.
“We’ve often heard input from the community that there is a need to have a clearer mechanism, and a mechanism outside of meetings, for users to identify needs,” said Mather.
In addition to requesting new capabilities, people can use the form to identify opportunities to expand on existing capabilities.
“We want to understand how ARM can have the greatest science impact—we want to hear from you regarding opportunities to achieve that,” said Mather.
Requests will be reviewed quarterly, and they will be evaluated on their potential impact and feasibility. The ability to add new capabilities will vary significantly from year to year depending on the budget allocation and standing commitments.
ARM will report on its priorities and significant development projects on the ARM Priorities page. Such activities include those that support the four themes of ARM’s Decadal Vision—measurements, data analytics, data services, and observations to models.
On its website and in the Atmospheric Observer email newsletter, ARM will also periodically publish invitations for the science community to request capabilities.
ARM is a DOE Office of Science user facility operated by nine DOE national laboratories.