Call for Proposals: LINCC Frameworks Community Event Support

Support for Community-Run Workshops and Hack Days

The upcoming July–September release of Rubin Observatory’s Data Preview 2 (DP2), along with Rubin’s release of alerts and prompt data products, presents the first opportunities for science with Rubin Observatory data at scale and the tools available to advance it.

To accelerate science with LSST, LSST-DA is providing competitive awards to support workshops and hack days shortly following the DP2 release. These awards are designed to support scientists, students, and developers in hands-on engagement with Rubin data while contributing reusable resources and lessons learned back to the broader Rubin ecosystem.

Funded events should emphasize hands-on engagement with Rubin data and tools, such as the Rubin Science Platform and alert brokers, and must include engagement with LINCC Frameworks resources.

Award Support

Selected awardees will receive:

• Up to $25,000 USD in funding to their home institution.
• Curated LINCC Frameworks tutorial materials.
• An onboarding session via Zoom and access to an awardee discussion channel on Slack.
• An LSST-DA event registration form (optional).
• Paid page charges for the first two publications resulting from the event. Publications must directly utilize LINCC Frameworks tools.
• Possible direct participation from a LINCC Frameworks staff member and/or community expert, when available.

Supported Types of Events

Examples of eligible events include, but are not limited to:

• Science hack days.
• Student and early-career researcher training programs.
• Onboarding with alert broker resources.
• Notebook and/or tutorial development sprints.
• Collaborative workflow and/or software development around Rubin tools and services.

Eligibility Criteria

Proposers must be members of an LSST Science Collaboration and/or affiliated with an LSST-DA member institution.

Funded events must:

• Focus on scientific or technical engagement with Rubin’s DP2 and/or alert and prompt data products.
• Include engagement with one or more LINCC Frameworks-related resources.
• Include substantial hands-on participation.
• Require participants to abide by the LINCC Frameworks Code of Conduct.

Funded events should:

• Focus on in-person participation.
• Produce tangible results when feasible, such as science proposals, publications, tutorials, documentation, or software.
• Align with open and collaborative community practices.

Preference will be given to proposals that:

• Demonstrate alignment with the goals highlighted in this call.
• Demonstrate readiness for prompt post-DP2 implementation.
• Demonstrate potential for sustained engagement beyond the initial event.
• Integrate with existing Rubin science collaborations or software efforts.
• Contribute reusable community resources.
• Support new Rubin users or underrepresented Rubin community members.

Proposal Requirements

Proposals should be submitted as a PDF through the LSST-DA Submittable portal. Proposal Narrative (2–3 Pages, Including Draft Agenda)

Proposal narratives should include:

• Goals and expected event outcomes.
• A description of the event, including the LINCC Frameworks tools, Rubin data, and/or other tools that will be incorporated.
• Expected attendees and communities served, including a participant recruitment plan and ideas for on-site expertise that may be required.
• Evidence of the ability to successfully implement the proposed event and achieve the desired goals.
• A draft agenda.
• A logistics plan that includes:
  • Event timing and location.
  • Organizing team.
  • Computing and event infrastructure.
  • Justification for any fully virtual or hybrid structure.

Budget

Applicants should provide a budget and brief justification.

Funding may be used for:

• Event logistics, including rooms and audiovisual support.
• Participant food, travel, and lodging.
• Salary support for event organizers.
• Local computing resources.
• Honoraria for event leads or support for post-hack work.
• Other direct costs related to the proposed event.
• Up to 10% in direct administrative costs.

Indirect costs are not permitted.

Awardee Expectations

Awardees will be expected to provide:

• A short post-event narrative summary and financial report.
• Participation metrics.
• Links to publicly released materials or repositories.
• Lessons learned and recommendations for future community events.
• Community resources, such as tutorials shared across the Rubin ecosystem.
• Appropriate acknowledgement in publications.

Key Dates

How to Apply

Applicants are encouraged to review the full Call for Proposals before preparing their submission.

Questions?

For questions or more information, please contact:

Beth Willman
[email protected]

Image: NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory staff in the control room in August 2025.
Credit: NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA/A. Pizarro D.