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			 **   THE GEM MESSENGER   **
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						     Volume 10, Number 33
						     July 27, 2000

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Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling Initiative
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From: Mary Hudson (maryk at apollo.ssl.berkeley.edu)

The Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling Initiative is a joint effort by the
NSF CEDAR and GEM programs to foster research in the study of processes
linking the magnetosphere and ionosphere systems.  The objective of this
initiative is to support research that does not obviously fall within the
domains typically supported by the CEDAR and GEM Programs.  Following are
examples of areas of research toward which this competition is aimed:

* The temporal and spatial variability of ionospheric outflow and its
effect on the dynamics, composition, and wave-particle interactions
in the magnetosphere

* The global electric field distribution in the ionosphere, how it
responds spatially and temporally to magnetospheric forcing, how it affects
plasma processes in the magnetically conjugate magnetospheric regions, and
its role in the development of ionospheric plasma structuring at all
latitudes

* The global distribution of aurorally-produced conductivity and how
its temporal and spatial variability affects the electrodynamic properties
of the ionosphere-magnetosphere system, including horizontal and
perpendicular currents and Joule heating

* Auroral plasma energization, collisionless energy dissipation,
field-aligned currents, and other processes operating along magnetic field
lines that influence the coupling between the magnetosphere and ionosphere

* The way in which magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling gives rise to
multi-scale processes manifested in phenomena such as discrete aurora,
filamentary and layered auroral structures, polar cap arcs and patches, etc.

* Plasmaspheric effects on coupling between conjugate ionospheres and
the effects of ionosphere/thermosphere interactions on the dynamic properties
of the magnetosphere

The above list is not meant to be all-inclusive.  Proposers should note that
many areas of M-I coupling research are supported through the Aeronomy and
Magnetospheric Physics base programs.  This initiative is aimed toward
research that also overlaps with current areas of emphasis within the GEM
and CEDAR programs.  Proposers should consult the web pages for the two
programs for more detailed information about these areas of emphasis.  

Approximately $500K will be available in FY2001 for this initiative with
equal contributions from the GEM and CEDAR programs.  Award durations will
be no more than three years.  Proposals should be submitted to the GEM
proposal competition with a proposal due date of October 15, 2000.  An
additional amount of about $250K will be available for other GEM proposals.
Proposers to this initiative should distinguish their proposals from other
GEM proposals by preceding the title of the proposal with the words "M-I
Coupling:". 

-The GEM and CEDAR Steering Committees  

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