cc: Tom Pedersen , Vera Markgraf , Christoph Kull , Isabelle Larocque , Frank Oldfield date: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 15:34:23 +0100 from: Keith Alverson subject: Paleo network of excellence in EU Framework6 to: Rick Battarbee , Keith Briffa , Dominique Raynaud , Laurent Labeyrie , Matti Saarnisto , Thomas Stocker , Bruno Messerli , sirocko@mail.Uni-Mainz.de Dear European PAGES SSC members (2001-2003), As you are no doubt aware the EU is tendering a call for letters of intent to develop 'networks of excellence' as part of framework 6. As I understand it these networks will be funded with substantial sums - roughly an order of magnitude more money than the PAGES budget. Paleoscience was apparently one of the 'poster cases' that was used in Brussels last week as an example of a community that could benefit from creation of such a network. I have read through the working document 'provisions for implementing networks of excellence' and have had scattered email contact with various people planning initiatives and with Hans Brelen at the EU. I know of at least four networks clearly within the PAGES remit that are being planned for submission as letters of intent. These appear to be separated at present (roughly) by ice, continent, ocean and timescale. It seems to me that PAGES would support all these initiatives and would hope to work with any that get funded. Although one could take the view that these network proposals should simply compete freely, it seems unlikely that all will be funded (or even that more than one paleo-network will be funded). This leads me to guess that some people will come out of such a scenario very disappointed. Thus, I am tempted to believe that a single large network, including all of these researchers - perhaps with a more proactive engagement from PAGES - may be best. This would only be true of course if funding would be proportionally higher to account for the larger network. Also, if all the eggs get put into one basket there is also some risk that no paleonetwork gets funded, obviously a scenario to be avoided at all costs. If you, as PAGES SSC members, have some advice for me as to what course of action you think I should be taking on behalf of PAGES, I would be happy to hear it. Possibilities include: 1) I, as a representative of PAGES, do nothing proactive and simply respond to any requests that are made of me according to best judgement. 2) I, as a representative of PAGES, try to take a more proactive role. This might involve, for example, communicating directly with all the people I know submitting plans for paleo-networks with some standard offers of PAGES involvement (or otherwise) and communicating more proactively with Brussels (in the first instance the only person I know there is Hans Brelen). Please let me know your thoughts on this matter as soon as possible. Thanks for your guidance. Keith cc: Tom Pedersen, Chair Vera Markgraf, Vice-Chair Frank Oldfield, Christoph Kull, Isabelle Larocque, PAGES office -- Keith Alverson Executive Director PAGES International Project Office Bärenplatz 2, 3011 Bern, Switzerland http://www.pages-igbp.org Tel (office): +41 31 312 31 33 Tel (direct): +41 31 312 31 54 Mobile: (+41) 079 641 9220 Fax: +41 31 312 31 68