ATNF Large Projects

Projects requesting a total of more than 400 hours of observing time on any ATNF facility are called large projects. For the Australia Telescope Compact Array, Parkes radio telescope, Mopra radio telescope and Long Baseline Array there is no particular fraction of telescope time mandated for Large Projects. All proposals are judged and awarded time on scientific merit. Proprietary periods for Large Projects are the same as for other projects, but early data release plans and waivers of proprietary periods are looked upon favourably.

Submitting a Proposal for a Large Project

Large projects have, in addition to the usual three-page limit for scientific justification, an additional two pages to be used for defining mandatory data analysis and timeline plans, data release plans, and a strongly recommended public outreach plan. Additional figures supporting the scientific justification can be included within the two additional pages if desired.

Unless continuing, or pre-graded, status has been approved, proposals for large projects must be re-submitted each semester, until the observations are completed. The page limit is 5 pages and proposals must each time contain a full science case (and not simply refer to the science case submitted for a previous semester). They should also contain a detailed progress report, preliminary results, information on data release and public outreach. The TAC may choose to award reduced time allocations in cases where a small pilot study is required to show success before a large project can be judged on its scientific and technical merits.

Proposers allocated time for Large Projects are required to provide web pages with up to date information on their projects. Please include information on the spectral coverage, spatial coverage, and sensitivity of the survey observations. For ongoing surveys, regular updates should be provided to indicate the current survey status, including the areas of the survey that have been completed.

Please advise Philip Edwards of any links to add to the Large Projects web pages

Pre-Graded (Continuing) Status

Large project proposals can request that the time be allocated over several semesters, on an on-going basis. If this request is successful, then the project is given pre-graded status (previously referred to as continuing status). When pre-graded status has been granted, the grade from the previous semester remains valid until the observations are scheduled. For projects that have been granted pre-graded status, the PI need only submit a cover sheet and an observations table by the proposal deadline in order for time to be scheduled in any given semester. A scientific justification is not required in this case.