Research Support and Assignable Assets
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Field Site Coordination (FCS)
Researchers may want to work within or adjacent to NEON sites while not using NEON Assignable Assets (i.e. infrastructure, plots, or personnel). NEON can facilitate coordination with NEON site hosts. Review of these projects ensures no impact to NEON data collection and provides limited logistical support for work adjacent to NEON sites.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Letters of Support Web Submission Form
Formal requests should be sent to AssignableAssetRequests@BattelleEcology.org
Submission Timelines
If seeking funding:
- Submit at least 4 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 3 months 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
Have Additional Assignable Asset Questions?
- Send email to AssignableAssetRequests@BattelleEcology.org
- Contact Us