Call for Proposals: CODATA Task Groups 2014-16

CODATA, the ICSU Committee on Data for Science and Technology, invites proposals for new Task Groups and offers existing Task Groups the opportunity to renew their activity.

Task Groups have been established to support CODATA’s overall mission to strengthen international science for the benefit of society by promoting improved scientific and technical data management and use.  More specifically, Task Groups must remain relevant in a fast changing environment and contribute to the realisation of CODATA’s strategic objectives and activities, as articulated in the CODATA Strategic Plan, 2013-18.  For Task Groups seeking to renew their activities for a further two years, a strong case must be made for the ongoing benefits of this activity, for well-conceived and valuable future objectives as well as part achievements.  Information about existing CODATA Task Groups is available on the CODATA website.

Submissions should be made on the appropriate form for New Task Groups Proposals (CODATA TG New 2014-Form-v04-Final) or for Task Groups Renewal Proposals (CODATA TG Renewal 2014-Form-v01-Final).

Details of how proposals will be evaluated, the responsibilities of Task Groups and how CODATA supports Task Groups are provided at below and in the covering documentation to the proposal form.  The submission process is as follows.

Preliminary Submissions due 14 February 2014

Task Groups seeking to renew activities are invited to submit draft proposals for comment by the CODATA Executive Committee.  Such draft proposals should be submitted on appropriate form to Simon Hodson, CODATA Executive Director no later than 14 February 2014.  Feedback from the Executive Committee will be provided no later than 28 March 2014.  The intention of this process is to encourage the alignment of final proposals with the CODATA Strategic Plan.  Although not obligatory, groups intended to submit Task Group proposals are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this lightweight opportunity for feedback and to submit a draft, even if incomplete, so long as provides enough clear information for the Executive Committee to give considered feedback.

Final Submissions due 30 April 2014

Please submit the final, completed proposal by e-mail to Simon Hodson, CODATA Executive Director no later than 30 April 2014.

Draft and final submissions should be sent to Simon Hodson, CODATA Executive Director at:ED_CODATA

Proposals are peer reviewed and also assessed by the Executive Committee.  On this basis the Executive Committee will make recommendations to the 29th CODATA General Assembly, to be held in New Delhi, 6-7 November 2014.

This message is sent on behalf of CODATA President, Huadong Guo; Secretary General, Sara Graves; Treasurer, John Broome; Vice-Presidents Takashi Gojibori and Fedor Kuznetsov, and the CODATA Executive Committee.

Further Information: The CODATA Strategic Plan

The CODATA Strategic Plan comprises three areas of activity:

  1. Policy and Institutional Frameworks for Data: CODATA will take a lead in defining a policy agenda for scientific data, addressing national, international and diverse scientific contexts.  CODATA has established an international, expert Data Policy Committee to lead this activity.
  2. Frontiers in data science and technology: CODATA will stimulate and coordinate work in key frontiers of data science and interdisciplinary application areas.  Working with a range of partners, CODATA will initiate a series of international workshops and research activities addressing these themes.  CODATA will also expand its international education and training activities including curriculum development in data science and our initiative to encourage Early Career Data Scientists.
  3. Data strategies for international science: CODATA will support international scientific programmes, including Future Earth, to address data management needs, particularly the policies, processes, standards and technology necessary so that the scientific objectives are met and the data legacy is assured.

As part of its Proposal, the candidate Task Group should state clearly how its work will contribute to the realisation of one or more of these objectives.

Participation by scientists from around the world as members of the Task Group and in Task Group activities is strongly encouraged.  Particular attention should be given to gender balance, the participation of early career scientists, and appropriate representation from developing countries.

How CODATA Assesses and Selects Task Group Proposals

Proposals are peer reviewed and are also assessed by the Executive Committee.

The criteria used include the following:

  • The contribution to CODATA’s mission and objectives as laid out in the Strategic Plan;
  • The scientific merit of the proposed work and its value to the scientific and/or technical community;
  • The feasibility of the workplan and the merits of the deliverables proposed;
  • The existence of appropriate collaboration with other organizations of groups, ensuring the proposed work does not duplicate other activities;
  • The expertise and appropriateness of the Task Group membership, including gender balance, the participation of early career scientists, and appropriate representation from developing countries;
  • The existence of other likely sources of funding and support.

On the basis of the peer review and its own assessment, the Executive Committee makes recommendations to the General Assembly.

Proposers will be required to give either a presentation or poster at the General Assembly.  Existing Task Groups requesting renewal may not use CODATA funds in order to attend the General Assembly.  The presentation or poster may be given by a CODATA Member Delegate.  The General Assembly takes this presentation and the recommendations of the Executive Committee into account when voting to approve or reject the proposal.

How CODATA Supports Task Groups

CODATA Task Groups are peer reviewed, vetted by the Executive Committee and approved by the General Assembly: this carries with it the endorsement and authority of the international CODATA community.  At the discretion of the Executive Committee, CODATA Task Groups are eligible for modest funding support.  It is intended that seed funding and the endorsement of the CODATA community will help the Task Group find other support for its activities.  Task Groups will be provided with a space on the new CODATA website and tools to help collaboration.  Task Groups are expected to liaise regularly with the Secretariat and to use the new CODATA website to communicate their work and achievements.  CODATA Task Groups are provided with a Liaison from the Executive Committee.  The Liaison is considered an ex officio member of their Task Groups and, as such, receives copies of all correspondence and outputs.  The Liaison is in a position to provide expert advice and a link with the wider CODATA community in order to benefit the activities of the Task Group.

Responsibilities of CODATA Task Groups

CODATA Task Groups are expected to:

  1. Contribute to the realisation of the CODATA Strategic Plan and CODATA’s overall mission;
  2. Produce tangible public outputs (e.g. reports, white papers, publications, data collections, technical proposals etc) that contribute to the realisation of these objectives;
  3. Help keep information about the TG and its activities on the CODATA website up to date;
  4. Work with the Executive Director and Secretariat to communicate outputs and activities, including contributing material for blog posts and newsletters;
  5. Take advantage of the Executive Committee Liaison for expert advice and links to the wider CODATA community;
  6. Provide two progress reports (after 12 and 20 months).