MMM VISITOR PROGRAM

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• Introduction
• Organization
• MMM Visitor Process
• Types of Financial Support

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Introduction (top)

The Visitor Program for the Mesoscale and Microscale Meteorology Division at NCAR is a vibrant and vital activity within the division. Visitors number over 400 per year. Some are long-term (six months or over in duration) and others are short-term (less than six months), often for just a few days. Some visitors are completely supported by their own institutions while others go through the process to obtain some or all financial support from the division.

To see the list of recent visitors, visit the 2002 Annual Scientific Report.

The benefits of a vibrant visitor program are self-evident. Not only does the influx of new ideas invigorate the science, but the presence of so many from foreign countries, universities, private industry, and governmental agencies of not only the United States but other countries, stimulates the research.

Students are a large part of the MMM Visitor Program. MMM hosts several ASP postdocs. European schools send students here to complete projects. Staff scientists often are graduate research advisors or participate on a student’s thesis committee, which will frequently bring the student to NCAR for visits.

The division hosts four Affiliate Scientists: Larry Mahrt (Oregon State University), Richard Reed (University of Washington), Lance Bosart (State University of New York), and, in collaboration with CGD, Bjorn Stevens (University of California at Los Angeles). For more information on the Affiliate Scientist appointment policy and procedure see manual.

Other divisions and programs within UCAR also offer visiting opportunities in atmospheric science. The UCAR web site explains internships, visitor appointments, and fellowships that exist over the institution as a whole, all with varied processes.

Organization (top)

The division has set up a Visitor Program Office to coordinate and facilitate all visits. The administration of the office is handled by Sudie Kelly and Martine Bunting. They are available to answer any inquiries about the program. All visits are administered through this office.

The Visitor Advisory Committee (VAC) is a committee of three division scientists from various groups whose charge it is to advise the division director on the selection of long-term visitors and on the allocation of funds from the designated visitor budget. Visiting appointments are made on scientific merit, applicability to the division’s scientific program, and overall cost/benefit. This committee meets two to three times a year, once in early Spring, once in the Fall, and often once in the summer. Chin-Hoh Moeng (chair), Charles Knight, and Morris Weisman serve on this Committee, representing all facets of the division. It is this committee’s approval that is needed for all long-term visits and any requests that ask for division funding support over $2000.

The MMM Visitor Process (top)

In order to be a visitor within MMM, there are a few essentials.

• Within MMM a visitor must have a host on staff to sponsor the visit. Even the one-day visitor must have a host. This host agrees to collaborate, schedule appointments or seminars, be a mentor, or direct the research or project involved. Many university professors work with their colleagues in MMM and their students are often the benefactors of these collaborations.
• All visits must be approved by some person in authority. Short term visitors are approved by the group head of the host’s group. If there is financial support requested, then various budget considerations are presented to committees or persons responsible for those budgets effected. Long-term visitors are approved by both the group head of the host’s group and the MMM Visitor Advisory Committee whether or not there are financial considerations. Before approval is given, space, computer, and other intangible resources must be considered.

Financial Support for Visitors (top)

Financial support from the division can be arranged in different ways. The overall policy is “no loss, no gain,” therefore, some visitors request only travel expenses, others request more. Salaries are paid only for long-term visitors supported by grant monies. These are usually advertised positions.

1. Support from Division Visitor Funding:

• Background material is gathered to support the request by the host and the Visitor Program Office. This includes: curriculum vita, statement of research to be done, funding needs specifying in what category (travel, lodging, family concerns, visa, per diem).
• VAC reviews all requests at scheduled meeting.
• VAC sends their decisions to Division Director for final approval.
• Visitor Program Office coordinates visit.

2. Support from Group Visitor Funding:

• Host requests funding from Group Head. If less than 6 months duration, this is the only approval needed.
• Group head consults with Visitor Program Office to determine if there are resources (space, computer time, monies).
• If approved, Visitor Program Office proceeds with arrangements for the visit.

3. Support from grants:

• If salaried position, competitive process is initiated.
• Grant scientists take their decision to group head and Director’s Office for approval. The Visitor Program Office is consulted concerning space and other resources.
• Competitive process is completed through the Human Resources Department.
• The Visitor Program Office proceeds with arrangements for the visit.

For more information, contact the MMM Visitor Program Office, Sudie Kelly, kellys@ucar.edu.