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  1. Resources
  2. Research Support and Assignable Assets

Research Support and Assignable Assets

view of a field site from the top of a flux tower

NEON Assignable Assets Program

The NEON Assignable Assets Program makes available certain components of NEON’s infrastructure to members of the community to support their own research or other activities.  

NEON serves as an accessible research platform for Principal Investigator-driven research and environmental studies. Research support includes access to NEON infrastructure, site coordination, labor pool of field ecologists, engineering, and science staff. These services are mainly cost recoverable and dependent on availability of resources. Learn about the different components of the NEON Assignable Assets Program, the types of NEON research support services, and infrastructure you can access below.

Assignable Assets FAQs

Observational Sampling Infrastructure (OSI)

Investigators may request access to NEON sampling locations, additional data/sample collection by NEON’s professional field ecologists to support for PI-led projects at NEON sites.

Learn more
Field technicians conducting aquatic sampling

Sensor Infrastructure (SI)

Investigators may request to add sensors to existing NEON field site infrastructure to collect their own data. Terrestrial field site infrastructure includes meteorological/flux towers and soil arrays. Aquatic sites include in-situ aquatic sensor stations, groundwater wells, and meteorological stations in the riparian area of the site.

Learn more
Image
Instrument and flux tower at a NEON site

Airborne Observation Platform (AOP)

AOPs are light aircrafts outfitted with a high-fidelity hyperspectral imaging spectrometer, discrete and waveform LiDAR, and a high-resolution digital camera to collect remote sensing data. Researchers can request to fly non-NEON sites or to fly NEON sites at times of year when NEON does not collect AOP data.

Learn more
Image
Two twin otter plans at the AOP hanger

Mobile Deployment Platform (MDP)

Self-contained mobile sensor arrays can be set up to collect meteorological, soil and surface water data for short- to medium-term monitoring projects. MDPs are designed for rapid deployment able to capture stochastic ecological events (e.g. fires, flood events, pest outbreaks) across the landscape, as well as the ability to bring NEON standardized measurements to researcher locations.

Learn More
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Mobile deployment platform

Field Site Coordination (FCS)

NEON can facilitate Field Site Coordination (FSC) with NEON site hosts/landowners for researchers wanting to work within or adjacent to NEON sites, and does not anticipate using any NEON resources, infrastructure, or personnel. Field site coordination consists of ongoing communications with domain staff and limited interaction in the field as needed.

Learn More
Image
LENO flux tower and TOMB river

Letters of Collaboration/Support

Investigators wanting to collaborate with NEON scientists, use resources or data not regularly available through the Data Portal, or collaborate with NEON in some other manner may request a Letter of Collaboration/Support from NEON.

Learn More
A researcher in a library (stock image)

Excess Samples

Some of the typical NEON data collection procedures produce excess OS samples not needed for the NEON biorepository or lab analysis, these samples can be requested by investigator for their research.

Learn more
Image
Field technicians sampling in the snow

Permits and Permissions

NEON does not own the property on which NEON infrastructure and observational plots are located. Generally, researchers are responsible for obtaining their own research permits. NEON can facilitate site host contacts and communicate site host preference for any additional research at their sites.

Learn more
Image
Boardwalk at a NEON site with site access signs

Submitting Your Request

Researchers must submit a formal request to use each of the above Assignable Assets. The details you provide in your request will be used to conduct a feasibility review and develop a cost estimate for your proposed project.

Observational Sampling Infrastructure (OSI) Request Form (DOCX)
Sensor Infrastructure (SI) Request Form (DOCX)
Airborne Observation Platform (AOP) Request Form (DOCX)
Mobile Deployment Platform (MDP) Request Form (DOCX)
Excess Samples Request Form (DOCX)

Letters of Support Web Submission Form

 

Formal requests should be sent to AssignableAssetRequests@BattelleEcology.org

Submission Timelines

If seeking funding:

  • Submit at least 6 weeks prior to institution of agency deadline. Complex projects may take additional time.
  • Target of Opportunity requests (e.g. responses to disturbance events, etc.) should be submitted as soon as possible and every effort will be made to process these requests quickly.

If funding is secured:

  • Submit your request at least 8 weeks prior to your proposed start of data collection to allow for review, pricing, and contracts to be signed
  • Neither planning nor field work on an Assignable Asset request can start until a contract is in place between Battelle (NEON program) and the PI's institution.
  • Target of Opportunity requests (e.g. responses to disturbance events, etc.) should be submitted as soon as possible and every effort will be made to process these requests quickly.

Submission Resources

NEON Assignable Asset User Guide (PDF)
NEON Site Research Coordination Guidelines (PDF)
NEON Assignable Asset Site Access Information (XLSX)

FAQs

Assignable Assets FAQ

Have Additional Assignable Asset Questions?

  • Send email to AssignableAssetRequests@BattelleEcology.org
  • Contact Us
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The National Ecological Observatory Network is a major facility fully funded by the National Science Foundation.

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