PPARC'S E-SCIENCE PROGRAMME: SECOND PHASE
A CALL FOR PROPOSALS
CLOSING DATE: 31 MAY 2003
1. In the 2002 Spending Review PPARC secured significant further funding to continue its eScience programme beyond 2004/5. The Science Budget announcement set out PPARC's
objectives for this continuing programme: "to create a UK Particle Physics Grid and the
computing technologies required for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN when it is turned
on in 2007; to deliver a working virtual observatory based on key UK astronomical data sets; to
place the UK in a leadership position in the international development of Virtual Observatories
and in the development of an EU Grid infrastructure." ("Science Budget 2003-04 to 2005-06",
Office of Science and Technology, DTI, 9 December 2002")
2. PPARC now invites proposals for research, development and deployment projects that will
enable PPARC to deliver e-Science programme objectives.
3. The PPARC e-Science programme resources will:
· underpin the PPARC science programme, supporting rather than doing the science. However,
close connection between proposed projects and the science programme is regarded as
essential for success;
· build upon the existing PPARC and wider UK e-Science programme, continuing the
development and deployment of the advanced IT infrastructure necessary to support the PPARC
science programme;
· support significant, collaborative, projects bringing together experts from relevant fields on a
scale sufficient to tackle the IT challenges facing PPARC and others in the coming decade;
· ensure engagement in the ongoing efforts to develop standards and persistent Grid
infrastructure;
· support applications to exploit the PPARC e-Science infrastructure for high priority scientific
projects;
· encourage development of cross-disciplinary IT infrastructure for research in UK Universities.
4. PPARC has identified the following top priority science drivers:
· further development of the infrastructure being deployed by AstroGrid and GridPP;
· establishment of an applications-driven e-science programme, for example LHC data analysis,
data centres for ESA missions, and establishment of an integrated solar system modelling
initiative.
5. PPARC invites proposals, in a range of activities outlined below.
PPARC E-SCIENCE CENTRES
6. PPARC proposes to develop and deploy advanced grid-based IT infrastructure support for its
scientific programme through the establishment of a number of "PPARC e-Science
Centres". Proposals to establish such centres are invited for funding from April 2004 onwards
and focussed on computing and data centres for:
· the LHC and UK Grid for Particle Physics
· the UK Astronomical "virtual observatory"
7. Particle Physics computing centres are expected to fall into three categories:
· The LHC "Tier-0" Centre. This centre, seen as critical to the success of the LHC, will provide the
initial processing and storage of LHC data. The LHC Computing Grid (LCG) Project is charged
with delivering the basic infrastructure to support this centre. PPARC has taken a leading role in
the first phase of the LCG project and believes that the project is crucial to the success of the
LHC. We therefore expect to continue support of LCG through phase-2 of the project at an
appropriate level.
· The UK National "Tier-1" Centre. This centre (or centres) will eventually form the basis of the UK
contribution to the production computing needs of the LHC experiments. It will form an integrated
part of the world-wide LHC computing grid, providing data processing and storage services to the
international LHC collaborations for the lifetime of the LHC. It will also act as a support centre for
the UK Particle Physics Grid, linking smaller computing centres around the UK and providing a
first point of call for user support to UK physicists. Proposals are invited for projects that will
develop and deploy this UK centre over the period 2004-2007, in close collaboration with CERN
and other partners. Proposals should demonstrate that the centre will take a leading role in LHC
Computing Grid Project, support the computing needs of the LHC (and other) experiments before
the start of LHC operations and be fully operational, integrating and supporting resources
throughout the UK Grid, for LHC data in 2007. This centre would be expected to provide and
support resources at a scale appropriate to the UK involvement in the LHC experimental
programme and to do so for the duration of this programme. However, a truly integrated
international computing system for the LHC implies that services may be made available to LHC
collaborations via integrated European, or world-wide, programmes, on terms to be defined,
rather than restricted to UK collaborators.
· Local or Regional "Tier-2" centres. These will devote significant resources to LHC computing as
a part of the integrated UK Particle Physics Grid and, by implication the wider LHC Computing
Grid. PPARC invites proposals to establish such centres and expects to provide primarily the
support staff resources. Proposals should show a significant hardware contribution from host
institutions and build upon existing expertise in the grid computing required for LHC experiments.
8. Virtual observatory data centres are expected to support data from approved astronomical,
solar and solar terrestrial physics missions or facilities. Building upon the development of the first
UK virtual observatory (the AstroGrid), the Council wishes to see data centres for missions and
facilities fully integrated into this infrastructure. Proposals are invited for the development and
deployment of such data centres for existing facilities and approved ones such as VISTA and
Gaia. Virtual observatory data centres will:
· Take a leading role in the continuing development and support of virtual observatory
infrastructure and provide the focus for maintaining and enhancing the UK's leading role in
international virtual observatory developments.
· Be fully integrated into the UK virtual observatory, making full use of software infrastructure
developments funded by PPARC.
· Provide access to the data held at the centre and appropriate processing support to users.
· Build upon existing expertise and significant host institution investment in appropriate
infrastructure.
APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT
9. In addition to the above e-Science infrastructure, the PPARC is seeking to fund the
development of applications to exploit the UK e-Science infrastructure in support of the approved
PPARC science programme. Proposals should demonstrate that applications would be widely
applicable, serving a wide user community and support PPARC's scientific programme as set out
by the Science Committee (here: http://www.pparc.ac.uk/Rs/Cm/Plann/SCStrat.asp). In particular,
proposals are invited for:
· Development of the experiment specific software required to make most effective use of the UK
Grid for Particle Physics and to ensure the UK's full readiness to exploit the LHC data. Projects
should prepare the UK for full exploitation of the first LHC data in 2007, including software for
simulation, reconstruction, analysis and collaborative working. Proposals may focus on providing
software to support existing UK detector hardware commitments or to support a UK contribution
to common projects. Proposals from experiment (UK) collaborations are encouraged.
· Data processing pipelines for approved missions and facilities in Astronomy (e.g. VISTA and
Gaia). Such developments should be fully integrated with the emerging UK Virtual Observatory
(VO), building upon the VO developed tools and standards where appropriate. Collaborative
developments with ESO or towards bids for hosting data centres for ESA missions are also
appropriate.
· Astronomical applications including data mining and analysis tools to ensure pervasive and
effective use of the UK Virtual Observatory. Developments should be fully integrated with and
build upon the current UK Virtual Observatory and e-Science programmes.
· Initial software developments leading to the establishment of a solar system modelling initiative
as part of PPARC's long-term Solar System science strategy. This should focus on the
development of a flexible coupled model system that will enable researchers to build models of
the energy flow through the Solar System tailored to their specific research needs. Collaborations
bringing together appropriate expertise in physics, atmospheric sciences, modelling and
computer science are invited to submit proposals to develop the principal spine, demonstrating
that models can be coupled via it. This should cover issues such as coupling models of different
spatial and temporal scales, coupling photo-chemistry and dynamics, data assimilation and
visualisation.
PROPOSALS
10. Proposals are welcome from consortia and individual UK institutions seeking to provide a coordinated solution to one or more of the above challenges. Centres developing a significant local
collaboration between different sciences and/or industries are particularly welcome and may be
eligible for joint funding through other Research Councils. Applicants must meet the normal
eligibility requirements for grant funding. Further information can be found at section 2 of the
PPARC grants handbook here: http://www.pparc.ac.uk/rs/rgh/rghData.asp?sb=2.2&si=n All
PPARC e-Science projects will be expected to show commitment to and involvement in the
relevant UK and International e-Science and Grid developments. Collaboration with UK Industry
is strongly encouraged.
11. Proposals should:
· Demonstrate direct support for the PPARC's prioritised science programme
(http://www.pparc.ac.uk/Rs/Cm/Plann/SCStrat.asp).
· Show commitment and strength in Grid computing and wider e-Science developments. This will
include key roles in the UK e-Science programme, EU or other international projects, and
evidence of national and international leadership in some areas, supported by significant local
investment in relevant infrastructure and expertise.
· Show how developments build upon PPARC's existing investment in e-Science and IT
investment.
· Provide support for a wide PPARC community.
· Demonstrate close collaboration with other science and industry and with key international
partners such as CERN, ESO, and relevant projects in the US and Asia.
· Show medium to long term plans for development and support for the full duration of relevant
PPARC science projects and a commitment to provide it.
12. Funding for projects will be available from April 2004. Where appropriate, longer-term
commitments will be negotiated.
13. Proposals should contain details of full project costs, with detailed planning for the initial
phases of the project. Where consortium proposals are submitted, details of project management
and resource allocation procedures will be required.
14. All proposals will be fully reviewed by the PPRP and the PPARC Grid Steering Committee.
Guidelines (http://www.pparc.ac.uk/Rs/Cm/Lettr/PPRP33_guidelines_for_major_projects.asp) for
large are available proposals (total cost in excess of £1M) submitted to the PPRP and these
guidelines should be used as the basis of such proposals. For smaller projects (less than £1M),
proposals should be limited to a maximum of five pages. Further details will be sought as
appropriate. The final programme recommended will be subject to approval by the Science
Committee.
15. All proposals must be submitted electronically and reach PPARC by 31st May 2003.
16. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposals with PPARC in advance of
submission. For further information please contact the PPARC e-Science Programme Manager
Dr Guy Rickett (Guy.Rickett@pparc.ac.uk, tel: 01793 442014).