Staff Collaboration
Some users may be interested in being provided with an NRAO staff collaborator, who would work with the user on all aspects of an observation, from schedule preparation to imaging and data analysis. This can be arranged on an individual basis for users based at U.S. institutions. Proposers should bear in mind the fact that NRAO staff will not do all the VLBA work for them, but will work collaboratively to help teach them VLBI techniques while working on the scientific program. The VLBA web site gives a list of research interests of the scientific staff in NRAO-Socorro, and potential proposers are welcome to contact these individuals directly about possible proposal ideas, or contact Mark Claussen, who will identify a potential contact or collaborator.

Financial Support for Data Reduction
Financial support is available for observers affiliated with U.S. institutions who wish to visit NRAO to reduce their VLBA data. Details about the financial support are available from the NRAO Director's office.

Scientific Results and Publications
Timely preparation of scientific papers based on VLBA observations is the responsibility of the investigators. NRAO will provide assistance with page charges for observations which are based wholly, or in part, on VLBA observations; this financial assistance is available only for investigators based at U.S. institutions.

Graduate Students
NRAO has a pre-doctoral fellowship program that permits students to spend 2 years at an NRAO site working on their dissertation using data from the VLBA (or other NRAO telescopes). In addition, NRAO's summer-student program has a number of slots for graduate students. Students in both programs are paid stipends during their tenure at NRAO. Information about these and other NRAO student programs can be found here.

Introduction Why use the VLBA? How to propose Proposal selection: refereeing and observing allocation Schedule preparation Observations, correlation, data validation, and distribution Calibration Final imaging and analysis Staff collaboration, financial support for data reduction, scientific results and publications, graduate student programs

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