Call for Membership of Topical Teams in the Voyage 2050 long-term plan in the ESA Science Programme
4 March 2019
The next planning cycle in ESA's Science Programme, Voyage 2050, is now underway. Scientists interested in participating in the peer review process of the Voyage 2050 planning cycle are invited to respond to the Call for Membership of the Topical Teams. Deadline for receipt of applications: 6 May 2019, 12:00 (noon) CEST.The Science Programme of the European Space Agency (ESA) relies on long-term planning of its scientific priorities. The next planning cycle, Voyage 2050, is now underway. As was the case for the previous plans - Horizon 2000, Horizon 2000 Plus, and Cosmic Vision - the definition of the Voyage 2050 plan relies on open community input and on broad peer review. The community input will be gathered through a Call for White Papers (issued today) while the peer review of this input will take place through a two-tiered committee structure, with a Senior Committee of 13 European scientists supported by a number of Topical Teams. Scientists interested in participating in the peer review process are invited to respond to the Call for Membership of the Topical Teams, issued today.
Scientists working in ESA Member States and with an interest in any topic in space science and in the relevant technologies are welcome to apply for membership of the Topical Teams. Space science is defined here in a broad sense, including the observation of the Universe, planetary science, solar science, study of the space environment, and scientific experiments that can be carried out from a spacecraft.
The Topical Teams will be appointed by the Director of Science after the evaluation and recommendations of the Senior Committee. It is intended to have a mix of experience represented in each Topical Team and early career scientists are specifically encouraged to apply.
Members of the Topical Teams will be expected to attend a workshop to be organised by ESA in October 2019, at which a number of the lead scientists who have submitted a White Paper will present their ideas. Details about the workshop will be announced separately.
Full details of this Call, including information about Voyage 2050, the tasks of the Topical Team members, and information needed by applicants, can be found at:
https://cosmos.esa.int/voyage-2050
Schedule for this Call and important dates
| Activity | Date |
| Call for Membership of Topical Teams issued | 4 March 2019 |
| Deadline for receipt of applications for Topical Team membership | 6 May 2019, 12:00 (noon) CEST |
| Topical Team members appointed | July 2019 |
| Workshop to present White Papers | October 2019 |
| Topical Teams report to Senior Committee | February 2020 |