Proposal Submission Instructions

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Proposal Overview

The Powell Center seeks projects that address development and testing of important Earth system science ideas and theories using existing data, cutting-edge analysis of Earth system information, and use of sound science in policy and management decisions. Proposals are evaluated for scientific merit, novel approaches, and rationale for conducting investigative activities at the Powell Center. The Powell Center Science Advisory Board (SAB) reviews proposals and makes recommendations to the Directors who make the final decisions about which proposals to support. SAB members may not be subject matter experts; write proposals that are understandable and compelling to non-specialists.

A context statement and reviews are returned to principal investigators.

Proposals are due annually on January 31st.

For answers to questions not addressed in these instructions, email the Powell Center staff at powellcenter@usgs.gov, or contact Interim Director Leslie Hsu at lhsu@usgs.gov or 303-202-4080.

Who Should Apply

We welcome scientists at any stage of their career, from all disciplines, and from academic or government organizations anywhere in the world.  There can be up to four Principal Investigators.  At least one of the Principal Investigators must be a USGS employee. 

Powell Center does not support:

• Collection of new data or field research.
• Projects that should be funded by another entity or can be conducted elsewhere.
• Proposals requesting overhead or funds to be spent by the investigator at the investigator's home institution.
• Supplies, field research travel, or travel to professional society meetings.

How to Apply

Prepare a single file with the following elements, described in more detail below.

• Cover Sheet
• Body of Proposal
• Data Management Plan
• CVs

Cover Sheet

• Date of Submission
• Descriptive Title
• Short Title – Two to three words for use as a unique project name
• Principal Investigator Names, up to four PIs. Include: Name, Email, Institution, City, State, and Country (if not U.S.). At least one PI must be a USGS employee.
• Project Summary – A brief scientific abstract of your project (target one third to one half page)
• Proposed Start and End Dates – Proposed start and end date of two-year project (month, year)
• Duration (4 day minimum) of two Working Group meetings at the Powell Center over two years
• Proposed Data Release Date - Date you expect to make your data sets publicly available
• Is this a resubmission? - Yes/No (If yes, provide date(s) of original submission and last name of original PI)
• Conflicts of Interest with Reviewers - Check the list of Science Advisory Board members and note any potential conflicts of interest
• Keyword(s) – Please choose one or more keywords from the following to describe your project: 1) climate and land use change, 2) ecosystems, 3) energy and minerals, 4) environmental health, 5) natural hazards, 6) water.

Body of Proposal

4000-word maximum

• Problem Statement – Clear and concise statement of what is to be done, why it is important, and how it will be accomplished.
• Proposed Activities – Brief description of methodology and why it is appropriate.
• Participant List – Make a table using this template for information regarding participants. Working groups and the Powell Center space are best at 8-15 participants. The Powell Center will support up to, but no more than, 15 total participants.

    -indicate whether participants are confirmed; define expertise and role of each participant; 
    -USGS FSP Liaison: identify the USGS participant responsible for ensuring the requirements of Fundamental Science Practices are met. 
    -If you are requesting support for a Powell Center fellow, identify that person and describe their expertise. 

• Timetable of Activities
• Anticipated Results and Benefits – This section describes scientific outcomes and contributions to applied science as well as products such as manuscripts, proposals, data and software. For describing anticipated deliverables: List the tangible, deliverable services or products from this project and include when they will be delivered. The description of the product should identify the specific audience requirement/issue to be addressed (for example a paper that enables specific resource management and decisions needs).  For specific science information collections, identify the data to be provided, and how it will be disseminated (paper, conference, data release) and used by the USGS and partners. For specific information that is not ready or intended to result in a database, model or other resource, indicate the specific gap or data requirement that the information serves for USGS and/or our partner.

• Literature Cited

   

Data Management Plan 

Read more about the Data management plan on the Data Management and Resources page.

The Data Management Plan describes datasets you plan to use and produce - Download data management plan template [docx

CVs

Two-page Curriculum Vitae for Each Principal Investigator (4 max) and Powell Center Fellow (if identified) ONLY 

Submission Instructions

The submission deadline is annually on January 31.

Proposals are accepted in digital format only as a single document in either Microsoft Word or PDF. The body of the proposal should be no more than 4000 words (excluding cover sheet, references, figures, tables, data management plan, and curricula vitae).

Format proposals to standard letter size (8.5” W by 11” L), with graphics embedded directly in the document. The body of the proposal should follow the cover sheet. Do not send compressed collections of files, such as .zip files. Proposals including the requested information (cover sheet, body, data management plan, CVs) must be provided as one document; do not send separate files.

The submission of your proposal indicates you are in agreement with and will abide by the Powell Center Code of Ethics.

Send the proposal document as an email attachment to powellcenter@usgs.gov. You will receive an email confirming proposal receipt within 1 business day of submission. If you do not receive a confirmation email, have difficulty submitting your proposal, or have extenuating circumstances that prevent you from submitting a digital version of your proposal by the deadline please contact us.

For answers to questions not addressed in these instructions, or elsewhere in the website, please email powellcenter@usgs.gov or lhsu@usgs.gov or call 303-202-4080.

Visit the Tips and Examples page to ensure successful proposal submission.

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