Draft Instructions from HQ SMD

Dear SWG members:

We had a quarterly review of operating missions with HQ today. Simon Plunket, the program scientist for Heliophysics operating missions, provided some information about the upcoming SR, which will have a new format and a very compact schedule. Here are my takeaways. 

2026 SR will cover extended operations for FY27-31

Two reviews in parallel: full senior review and simplified SR. (MMS and Parker are only two in full SR) 

NEW SR Implementation: 

• Each mission will deliver a presentation (1-2 hrs) to the SR panel. 

• No full proposal writing. Full SR package includes the mission presentation and the budget spreadsheet

• SR panelists will be NASA civil servants from Heliophysics division, and TBD percentage from non-Heliophysics disciplines

Content of full SR Presentation: 

• Completion of previous science objectives 

• Proposed extended mission science objectives

• Transition plan to competitively funded research

• Data archive status and plans (including updated PDMP and CMAD)

• Contribution to HSO

• Current mission status

• Mission operations, focusing on cost and efficiency

• Management plan

2March2026 Draft Call for Proposals

Proposal Content

1. Completion of Previous Science Objectives
2. Proposed Extended Mission Science Objectives
   1. Over-guide Requests (Optional)
3. Transition Plan to Competitively Funded Research (Transition Science proposals only):
4. Contributions to the HSO and National Priorities:
5. Current Mission Status
6. Proposed Extended Mission Operations
7. Management Plan
8. Data and Code Management Plan
9. Budget Narrative
10. Backup Material
    1. Acronym List:
    2. References:
    3. Team Publications:
    4. External Publications:
11. Additional Documents
    1. Budget Spreadsheet(s)
    2. Project Data Management Plan (PDMP)
    3. Calibration and Measurement Algorithms Document (CMAD)

Draft Schedule:

Development Schedule

SR writing team through April 30: intro/front matter, accomplishments, science objectives & contributions to HSO, operations & campaigns, data archive / status, management plan

FR phase planning through April 6 (and as needed April 6-30): including refocused tetrahedron campaign planning, in- and over-guide extended mission definitions

CFR phase planning through April 6 (and as needed April 6-30): planning Links-like phase, operational cost reduction, transition to competitively funded science, etc +Bob Ergun

through April 30: Budget planning FY27-31

through Mar 1: SWT prepares white papers

•  

  Feb 13: review slide outline, assign sections

•  

  Feb 13 - Mar 15: storyboarding, draft/sketch figures needed per slide

•  

  Feb 16: draft AO released → received 2 March 2026

•  

  Feb 23: pre-proposal conference → now 5 March 2026 at 1pm ET

•  

  Mar 1: white papers submitted to Fuselier, Genestreti, disseminated to goals/objectives section writers

•  

  Mar 1 - 15: define science goals and objectives

•  Mar 5: pre-proposal conference
•  

  Mar tbd: final AO released

•  

  Mar 15: final definition of science goals and objectives

•  

  Mar 15 - April 6: graphics

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  April 6: all remaining material to be submitted to Sr Review team

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  April 6 - 10: production of complete slide stack

•  

  April 10: practice presentation to SWG

•  

  April 10 - 17: incorporate SWG comments into slides

•  

  April 17: red team presentation

•  

  April 17 - 21: red team deliberates

•  

  April 21: red team report submitted to Sr. Rev. team

•  

  April 21 - 30: incorporate red team comments into slides

•  

  NLT May 1: Final slides submitted