DATE: Fri, 4 Dec 2009 11:52:05 +1100 SUBJECT: AAO EIF bid expressions of support Dear Australian astronomers, AAL is having an Announcement of Opportunity for proposals to use the $10M provided to AAL through the EIF in this year's Budget. This funding is available in FY2011-12 and FY2012-13, but DIISR wants to commit the funds in this financial year. Because these are EIF funds they can be used to build things but not to operate things, and if a project fails, any unused funding goes back to consolidated revenue (i.e. is lost to AAL). Consequently AAL is looking for relatively low- risk projects that will enhance national infrastructure and capabilities. See AAL's AO (http://astronomyaustralia.org.au/EIF_EoI.html ) for the official version, of which the above is a simplified summary. The AAO is proposing to support a variety of bids relating to optical/ infrared facilities. We have listened to the responses to our earlier request for input and have revised our list of options accordingly. We are now seeking expressions of support for the various projects we are proposing. To see what's on offer, and to indicate which of the proposals would support your own research, please fill out the brief SurveyMonkey poll at the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5HYYGCN It is very important that you do this in order to indicate your preferences and desires, as these will be influential in guiding the AAL Board's choice of projects to support. The poll will remain open until COB Tuesday 8 Dec. With thanks, Matthew. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Professor Matthew Colless FAA Phone: +61-2-9372-4812 Director, Anglo-Australian Observatory Fax: +61-2-9372-4880 P.O. Box 296, Epping, NSW 1710, Australia Email: director@aao.gov.au ------------------------------------------------------------------------