Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy and the Super Science Initiative.
Progress
 |
Note: The status bar for the Multi-Scale Plot Network has been split to illustrate that the Australian Supersite Network sub-facility is significantly more progressed than the AusPlots and Long-Term Ecological Research Network sub-facilities. |
The National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) grant-funded phase of TERN concentrated on implementing a national governance arrangement, focussing on data access and analysis capabilities. Efforts were specifically directed to harmonising disparate datasets, accessing and calibrating remote sensing data, achieving nationally consistent observations at flux sites, and establishing a national rangelands monitoring network.
- TERN NCRIS Project Plan 2008-2011 (Final) [1.5Mb]
Looking to maintain a longer term role working with the ecosystem science research community, TERN worked throughout 2010 to develop a project plan for securing an Education Investment Fund (EIF) grant from the Commonwealth Government. This led to many discussions across the country around the question of ‘How do we deliver a sustainable long term ecosystem network for Australia?’
Particularly, with respect to the EIF grant, ‘How do we best use the $25.63M allocated to TERN for this purpose from the Australian Government's Super Science Initiative?’ (part of the Education Investment Fund).
Under EIF guidelines, TERN submitted an internationally reviewed final project plan to the Commonwealth Government showing activities to be undertaken and the nature of cash and in-kind partnering funds. Underlying preparation of the Final EIF Project Plan were two essential documents. These guided groups and individuals in their submissions to TERN for inclusion in the Final Project Plan and helped the TERN Office ensure it consulted widely across the country. The two documents are:
- TERN EIF Strategic Plan [2 Mb]: Ten priorities for long-term ecosystem research in Australia to guide TERN EIF proposals.
- TERN EIF Consultation Plan [1 Mb]: How to structure a project proposal, who to contact to contribute to each priority area and a description of the review process.
Through a nominated project proposal coordinator, one proposal was compiled and submitted for each of the ten priority areas for long-term ecosystem research in Australia, as defined in the Strategic Plan. Proposal were submitted to TERN in August 2010.
These proposals were then evaluated by international reviewers and the Board of TERN in September 2010. Using feedback from these two groups, the proposals underwent further revision throughout October and November. The Final Project Plan was reviewed again by the TERN Board before submission to the Commonwealth Government for approval on 30 November 2010. The Final Project Plan was formally approved by the Government in December 2010.
- TERN EIF Project Plan 2010-2013 (Final) (post-DIISR submission) [8Mb]
TERN is now in its implementation and delivery phase for NCRIS projects and planning phase for EIF projects. We expect both these sets of activities to move to delivery phases in the final quarter of 2012. After that our new Strategic Plan will come into place and be used to guide applications for the next national round of research infrastructure funding which is expected in the 2012/13 year.
The budget allocations for each Facility in TERN are as follows:
Facility |
NCRIS |
QueenslandDEEDI for NCRIS |
EIF |
TOTAL |
|
TERN Office |
1,500,000 |
1,476,000 |
2,025,000 |
4,801,000 |
|
TERN Portal |
|
|
1,405,000 |
1,405,000 |
|
ACEAS |
2,500,000 |
237,000 |
1,000,000 |
3,937,000 |
|
AusCover |
6,000,000 |
237,000 |
2,100,000 |
8,337,000 |
|
OzFlux |
2,500,000 |
|
2,300,000 |
4,800,000 |
|
Eco-informatics |
4,500,000 |
|
|
4,500,000 |
|
Supersite Demonstrators (FNQ x 2, SEQ x 3) |
|
1,650,000 |
|
1,650,000 |
|
National Reference Site Network |
3,000,000 |
|
|
3,000,000 |
|
Multi-Scale Plot Network |
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Australian Multi-Scale Plot System |
|
|
1,600,000 |
1,600,000 |
|
AusPlots |
|
|
1,700,000 |
1,700,000 |
|
Long-Term Ecosystem Research Plot Network |
|
|
6,500,000 |
6,500,000 |
|
Supersites |
|
|
2,008,000 |
2,008,000 |
|
e-MAST (Scaling and Modelling) |
|
|
1,900,000 |
1,900,000 |
|
Soils and Landscape |
|
|
2,200,000 |
2,200,000 |
|
Australian Coastal Ecosystems |
|
|
892,000 |
892,000 |
|
TERN Coordination |
|
500,000 |
|
500,000 |
|
TOTAL |
20,000,000 |
4,100,000 |
25,630,000 |
49,730,000 |
Anyone wishing to see full financial proposals should contact the TERN Director.
If you are in Adelaide on Tuesday 27 March, you might be interested in attending The ACEAS Great Debate as a prelude to the TERN Symposium.
Registration to the 3rd TERN Annual National Symposium is now open. Program and registration information are on the symposium webpage.
TERN's AusCover Facility is holding a Data Users Workshop in Brisbane on 8 March. Visit the web page for links to the program and information on how to register.
TERN's AusPlots Sub-Facility is holding a Field Method Training workshop at the Renmark and Calperum Station Supersite in South Australia, 4-9 March. Limited places available, so get in quick!
In our December newsletter the TERN Director summarises — and celebrates — the huge effort that has gone into creating the TERN network so far. We introduce you to the complex world of the Australian Supersite Network. At workshops in Adelaide and Perth, TERN facilities work with various collaborators; we invite you to get involved in TERN; and there's some wild talk. You'll have to read the newsletter to find out more.
New research supersite will tell woodlands climate story (media release)
What would it take to get you to share (both deposit and use) data in TERN facility portals? If this question interests you join our discussion on LinkedIn.
