Summary
The LSST:UK Science Centre (LUSC) Phase C proposal is due to be submitted to PPRP in April 2022. This document summarises the process by which the Work Package (WP) content of that proposal will be developed, and includes a call for software development (DEV) WPs, proposals for which should be submitted by 16.00 on XXXday, XXXber 2021. This wiki page wil be updated to include a subsequent call for bids to undertake the Phase C Data Release Processing WPs.
Timeline
XX October 2021: announcement of this call for Phase C DEV proposals
XX XXXber 2021: deadline for submission of Phase C DEV proposals
January 2022: evaluation of Phase C DEV proposals and DRP bids
February 2022: selection of Phase C DEV and DRP proposal teams and submission of Phase C Statement of Interest to STFC Science Board
April 2022: submission of Phase C proposal to PPRP
July 2022: appearance at PPRP meeting
September/October 2022: PPRP visiting panel meeting (if required)
December 2022: consideration of PPRP recommendation by Science Board
April 2023: start of Phase C
Introduction
In 2014, the LSST:UK consortium submitted to PPRP a proposal that outlined a baseline programme for the LSST:UK Science Centre (LUSC) - the STFC-funded activity in support of UK participation in what is now the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) - and made a specific request for the funding for the first tranche of funding (Phase A), covering initial preparatory work in the period 2015-2019. PPRP subsequently considered the proposal for Phase B (2019-2023) and now it is time to prepare the proposal for Phase C.
The original baseline programme envisaged funding for two strands of PPRP-funded activity, namely LUSC-DAC (preparation and operation of a UK Data Access Centre for hosting, and enabling analysis of, LSST data) and LUSC-DEV (development of software leading to what are now called User-generated Products), plus associated management effort. Both LUSC-DAC and LUSC-DEV were designed to maximise UK scientific return from STFC investment in LSST data rights, which were originally expected to be provided through a subscription model for international partners.
In 2019, the US funding agencies announced that international partners would obtain data rights by making in-kind contributions to LSST operations, rather than paying a subscription, and, during 2019 and 2020, the LSST:UK consortium developed a UK in-kind proposal in conjunction with STFC, the Rubin Observatory and the LSST Science Collaborations. With the adoption of in-kind model for international contributions, the remainder of the LUSC programme becomes, essentially, the delivery of the UK in-kind package, which offers the UK community a much better data rights deal than was provided by the original subscription model. The UK in-kind proposal includes an endorsement from STFC, noting that it outlines the programme for which they intend to seek funding, and we have subsequently shared with STFC a detailed financial plan for whole-lifetime (i.e. 2015-2035) LUSC programme. These funds will be awarded through a series of PPRP bids and, in particular, the Phase C proposal will seek funding for the UK in-kind package for the period 1/4/23-31/3/27.
The LUSC Phase C programme
As outlined in the financial plan shared with STFC, the Phase C programme contains four top-level Work Packages:
WP1: Management. Funding for the Project Leader, Project Scientist, Project Management, Commissioning Coordinator (~ 2FTE in total).
WP2: DAC. Operation of the UK Data Access Centre (5 FTE).
WP3: DEV. Development of User-generated Products (7 FTE).
WP4: DRP. The UK contribution to LSST Data Release Processing (5 FTE).
The allocation of the different WPs to institutions will follow a process similar to that adopted for Phase B: WP1 - the Consortium Board will confirm the holders of the WP1 management posts; WP2 - the DAC WP was awarded to Edinburgh in competitive processes for Phases A and B, and will continue there for Phase C; WP3 - the DEV WPs will be selected via an open call, as detailed below; and WP4 - work package descriptions will be provided for the DRP tasks, and institutions will be invited to bid to undertake them.
The Calls for the Phase C DEV and DRP WPs
The details of the calls for the Phase C DEV and DRP WPs are described on separate wiki pages: