Workshop Announcement: The Future of MARGINS

The Future of MARGINS: A Planning Workshop for a MARGINS Successor Program

San Antonio, TX, February 15-18, 2010

Application Deadline: November 6, 2009

Convened by: J. Morgan, R. Arrowsmith, M. Behn, S. Bilek, C. Ebinger, M. Hirschmann, D. Saffer, D. Wiens, A. Goodliffe, T. Gardner. MARGINS Steering Committee chair: G. Abers.

In its first decade, the MARGINS program has yielded fundamental insights into the processes that shape the evolution of active continental margins. NSF authorization of a MARGINS Successor Program now depends on community development of a clear and focused Science Plan that identifies and elucidates fundamental, multidisciplinary scientific objectives with high potential for transformative discoveries in the evolution and geodynamics of subduction and rifted margins. The Science Plan must also map out the structure of the program. Key decisions will be made at this workshop to lay the groundwork for the new Science Plan, including:

- Define high-priority Research Questions
- Outline the Initiative Structure and Scientific Goals
- Identify Focus Sites or Thematic Topics to meet the goals
- Define new MARGINS educational / outreach programs
- Provide guidance to the Science Plan Writing Team

This planning workshop represents a critical step for furthering MARGINS research. To ensure broad community representation and full consideration of emerging opportunities and new directions in MARGINS research, all scientists with interests in margins science are encouraged to apply, in particular, young investigators and members of under-represented groups. Present or previous MARGINS funding is not a prerequisite for attendance.

Please visit the meeting web site (http://www.nsf-margins.org/SuccessorProgram/index.html) for additional information, access to planning documents, and to submit an online application by Nov 6, 2009. Full to partial travel and accommodation costs will be covered for eligible participants.

Workshop web page: http://www.nsf-margins.org/SuccessorProgram
Application Deadline: November 6, 2009

Please send any questions to the MARGINS Office: margins@nsf-margins.org