This document addresses FAQs for both RGMA and ESMD topics for the 2593 FOA for encouraged pre-applications. This document starts with FAQs common to both topics, followed by ESMD and then RGMA.

 

Both ESMD and RGMA

 

Q: How should I apply for or obtain computer time for my project?

A: BER controls some time at the NERSC computer facility and should be able to provide computer time to awards resulting from this FOA. However, applications to this FOA should address the need for computer time and describe the method by which access to an appropriate facility will be requested.

 

Q: Does E3SM provide user manuals or other documentation?

A: Yes, please refer to the information here https://e3sm.org/resources/documentation/how-to/.

 

Q: Are subawards permitted or required?

A: Applications from a multi-institutional team must propose all other team members as subawards under the lead institution. The collaborative application model, in which each team member submits its own copy of the same research narrative, is not supported under this FOA.

 

Q: Am I obligated to submit a full application if encouraged?

A: No. You are not obliged. In the case that you submitted a preapplication to one component of this FOA (i.e., ESMD or RGMA) and was encouraged by the other component, you need to shift your focus to match the focus area of the component.

 

Q: Where can I find the current projects supported by ESMD and RGMA?

A: Please see https://eesm.science.energy.gov/projects.

 

Q: What is the anticipated success rate for this FOA?

A: Subject to budget constraints, the anticipated success rate is less than 10% for RGMA topics, somewhat higher (~25%) for ESMD topics.

 

Q: Is there a recommended project start date?

A: You can use Aug 15, 2022, or later for the start date. If needed, we can adjust later accordingly.

 

Q: What is the page limit for the biographical sketch for FOA? The FOA says 2 pages, but elsewhere it refers to the NSF format that has a 3-page limit.

A: NSF updated its template after the FOA was posted.  You are welcome to use either the old 2-page NSF template (if you’ve already downloaded it) or to use the current 3-page NSF template.  If you use the 3-page NSF template, you are allowed to submit a 3-page biosketch.  To summarize, you are allowed to submit either a 2-page or 3-page biographical sketch. We are sorry for the confusion.

 

ESMD

 

Q: Is it compulsory for ESMD applications to include partners from DOE labs?

A:  Yes, research supported by awards under this FOA ESMD component is intended to integrate with the larger E3SM effort to further enhance our understanding of the Earth’s complex systems and how to model them. Applicants must ensure that they will be closely involved with E3SM project members. Applications must include at least one of the E3SM team researchers at a national laboratory that has relevant expertise either as funded or unfunded collaborator(s). Please refer to the detailed requirement for “Collaboration with E3SM” on Page 6 of the FOA.

 

Q: How can I know the current status and major challenges of the E3SM?

A: Please see the most recent E3SM Brochure and a Summary of E3SM’s Modeling Challenges. If your topic is not related to any topic in the Summary, feel free to discuss with your E3SM collaborator(s).

 

Q: How can I work with the E3SM ‘s high-resolution Atmosphere Model named Simple Cloud-Resolving E3SM Atmosphere Model (SCREAM)?

A: Please refer to the “The Simple Cloud-Resolving E3SM Atmosphere Model (SCREAM)” and “Idealized Configuration: SCM, RRM, and DP-SCREAM” paragraphs in the “Summary of E3SM’s Modeling Challenges.” You can also find a recently recorded presentation about “The Doubly Periodic SCREAM Configuration.”

 

Q: What resources/tools are available for diagnostics and analysis?

A: Please refer to the “Diagnostics and Analysis Infrastructure” paragraph in the Summary of E3SM’s Modeling Challenges. You can also find other resources at https://e3sm.org/resources/. Additionally, as indicated on page 9 of the FOA, “New metrics or diagnostics should be included in relevant DOE model analysis metrics packages (e.g., E3SM Diagnostics Package (https://e3sm.org/resources/tools/diagnostic-tools/e3sm-diagnostics/),  PCMDI Metrics Package (PMP; https://cmec.llnl.gov/pmp.html) and the International Land Model Benchmarking (ILAMB; https://www.ilamb.org/) and Community Model Evaluation capabilities (CMEC; https://cmec.llnl.gov/).”

 

Q: How can I keep informed with E3SM progress?

A: https://e3sm.org/ is a one-stop shop. You are also strongly encouraged to subscribe to E3SM Quarterly Newsletter by emailing listserv@lists.llnl.gov with email body:  ‘subscribe E3SM-news’. You can find the past newsletter archive here https://e3sm.org/about/news/newsletter-archive/.

 

RGMA

 

Q: Is it compulsory for RGMA applications to include partners from DOE labs?

A: It is not compulsory. However, Laboratory collaborators are encouraged if they are important for project success.

 

Q: What are the overarching science topics in RGMA? For instance, can I focus on any of the general themes relevant to model analysis?

A: In this FOA, there are two RGMA science themes as indicated on pages 7 and 8 of the FOA. They are: 1) Water cycle and associated extremes; and 2) Modes of variability and extreme events. Your application must address at least one of these topics. If the proposed research focuses on extreme events, the applicant must demonstrate that those extremes are a part of water cycle or due to modes of variability.

 

Q: Can my RGMA topic just be based on motivating science questions? Is hypothesis-driven research a must?

A: As indicated on Page 7 of the FOA, “Hypothesis-driven research to address science questions is required.”

 

Q: How important is it to develop benchmarks or metrics as part of the application?

A: As you evaluate the processes in models, identifying and developing benchmarks or metrics to evaluate processes is an important aspect of your application. Additionally, as indicated on page 9 of the FOA, “New metrics or diagnostics should be included in relevant DOE model analysis metrics packages (e.g., PCMDI Metrics Package (PMP; https://cmec.llnl.gov/pmp.html), and the International Land Model Benchmarking (ILAMB; https://www.ilamb.org/) and Community Model Evaluation capabilities (CMEC; https://cmec.llnl.gov/).”

 

Q: Can my RGMA topic just focus on development of metrics?

A: The answer is “NO.” The overall RGMA topic focuses on Earth system processes, interactions, and feedbacks, across scales. The proposal should focus on the science topics that are listed in the FOA. They are: 1) Water cycle and associated extremes; and 2) Modes of variability and extreme events. Metrics can be developed in the process of addressing the science questions but can and should not be the core of the activity. Development of metrics should be based on the core scientific questions that you are focusing on.

               

Q: What happens if E3SM is not the best choice to address the science questions being pursued?

A: The FOA emphasizes and indicates that the E3SM is the primary model to be used. It was also indicated that it could be used in conjunction with other CMIP models. It is anticipated that successful applications will focus on processes relevant to E3SM. If certain processes need to be improved in E3SM, projects should plan to diagnose the problems, possibly using a hierarchy of models (see, e.g., the pages 7-8 of the FOA), and potentially indicate ways in which the processes can be better represented.

 

Q: How relevant are region-based or event-based studies in RGMA?

A: If the application has a regional focus, the scientific importance of the region in relation to the scientific RGMA topics (i.e., Water cycle and associated extremes, or Modes of variability and extreme events) should be made extremely clear. The same applies for particular events also. 

 

Q: Where can I find more information about currently funded RGMA projects?

A: https://eesm.science.energy.gov/program/regional-global-model-analysis contains information about RGMA and currently funded projects.

 

Q: What is the anticipated success rate for this FOA?

A: Subject to budget constraints, the anticipated success rate is less than 10% for RGMA topics.