propose

The Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility is a multi-laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science user facility and a key contributor to national and international climate research efforts.

ARM provides observation data to improve the understanding of climate processes and the representation of those processes in climate models. Its mission is fulfilled by operating atmospheric observatories around the world that collect massive amounts of atmospheric measurements to provide data products that help scientists study the effects and interactions of clouds and aerosols and their impact on the Earth’s energy balance.

In addition, computing resources and analytical tools are provided to facilitate the application of ARM measurements to pressing science issues.

ARM is now accepting preliminary proposals from scientists to deploy an ARM Mobile Facility (AMF) for field campaigns to support the DOE Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program’s interests in advancing the fundamental understanding of atmospheric processes to improve regional and global earth system models. This announcement applies to applications to use either the first or second ARM Mobile Facility (AMF1 or AMF2) for deployments starting in spring/summer 2026.

AMF1 is expected to be available for a domestic campaign starting in April 2026. AMF2 is expected to be available for domestic, international, or ship-based campaigns starting in July 2026.

Submit preproposals online through the field campaign preproposal form. Before submitting, please read the ARM Field Campaign Guidelines for an overview of processes and requirements.

Preproposals are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on February 9, 2024.

Deployment of an ARM Mobile Facility or a complex campaign at a fixed site will be accepted and reviewed once per year. Note: The ARM tethered balloon system and aerial capabilities may NOT be requested as part of this solicitation.

In fiscal year 2025, ARM plans to conduct approximately six to eight tethered balloon system (TBS) missions using ARM TBS baseline instruments, with missions taking place over two-week periods.

Two ARM TBS calls are now open for fiscal year 2025. ARM is accepting preliminary proposals for TBS missions while also participating in a joint TBS call with DOE’s Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL).

Through the joint call, researchers can apply to use EMSL instruments to collect samples of aerosols and volatile organic compounds on ARM TBS flights and then conduct analysis using advanced laboratory techniques at EMSL. Researchers can also propose ARM TBS missions as part of this call.

For the joint call, a letter of intent is required to facilitate the planning of the peer-review process, ensure alignment of proposals to ARM and EMSL missions and capabilities, and assist users in building strong proposals. Letters of intent must be submitted through this solicitation.

Proposals not requiring EMSL instruments and sample analysis must be submitted through ARM’s field campaign preproposal form.

The due date to submit preproposals for ARM TBS missions is the same as the deadline to submit letters of intent for the ARM/EMSL joint call: February 8, 2024.

As a DOE Office of Science user facility, ARM provides state-of-the-art infrastructure to conduct atmospheric and climate science in strategic locations around the world using fixed, mobile, and aerial facilities. Researchers can use ARM’s facilities and data in several ways:

• Access data gathered during normal operations or field campaigns.
• Make an in-person or virtual visit to a site.
• Propose and conduct a field campaign.

For more information on how to propose for an AMF deployment, potential principal investigators and co-investigators can watch this recording of ARM’s January 2024 field campaign processes webinar.

Researchers interested in proposing for either TBS call are invited to view this recording of ARM’s January 2024 TBS webinar. In addition to providing an overview of TBS baseline instrumentation and datastreams, the webinar included a discussion on current ARM TBS proposal calls and operating locations.