iHESP Scientific Advisory Committee Terms of Reference

These terms of reference apply to the iHESP Scientific Advisory Committee.

Background

The International Laboratory for High-Resolution Earth System Prediction (iHESP) – a research partnership among the Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (QNLM), Texas A&M University (TAMU) and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) – is established to advance Earth system prediction science for the benefit of society. iHESP will be managed through a governance structure comprised of a Steering Committee (SC), a Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and a Director.

iHESP SC

The SC is responsible for review and approval of the five (5)-year scientific plan, annual work plan, approval of the annual budget and the confirmation of the Laboratory Director. The SC will make decisions through consensus. The SC will be composed of seven (7) members: two (2) representatives each from QNLM, TAMU, and NCAR. SC members are appointed by their institution. The SC will be chaired by an independent entity. Selection of the SC Chair will be through consensus of the Parties. The Chair will coordinate the SC meetings and mediate if disagreements arise.

iHESP Director

The iHESP Director is responsible for laboratory operations. The Director will be a TAMU employee. The appointment of the Director requires the confirmation by the SC as the iHESP decision-making organization, and requires the consent of TAMU as the physical hiring entity of this position.

Charge to iHESP SAC

The role of the SAC is to provide advice to the iHESP SC concerning scientific elements of the program. The SAC will provide advice on iHESP science plans, priorities and partnerships. The SAC will review the progress, quality and balance of ongoing iHESP scientific research and technical activities, and provide recommendations to improve integration and coordination of these activities within iHESP. The SAC will identify improvement needs for developing new research collaborations with other closely related climate modeling and research efforts. The SAC will promote the iHESP mission and activities by helping in building and expanding its reputation in the climate modeling community.

SAC Membership

The SAC is composed 4-8 members outside of the three partner institutions, including experts from relevant research fields and representatives from prestigious research institutions. One member shall take the role of chair, responsible for coordinating SAC meetings.

All members shall be agreed upon by the SC and the SAC chair is appointed by the SC. The chair and members will be appointed for an initial period of three years, with the possibility of extension or replacement decided by the SC as the project evolves.

SAC Meetings

The SAC will meet face-to-face at least two times during the course (initially five year) of the project.

Allowable iHESP related travel expenses consisting of round-trip economy airfare and standard per diem during meeting dates will be provided by iHESP. In addition, iHESP administrative staff will provide logistical support for attending the SAC meetings and preparing the SAC meeting reports.