[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 7 (Monday, January 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 1839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-675]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Research
Energy Research Financial Assistance Program Notice 98-09; Energy
Biosciences
AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Notice inviting grant preapplications.
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SUMMARY: The Office of Basic Energy Sciences of the Office of Energy
Research (ER), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) invites preapplications
from potential applicants for research funding in the Energy
Biosciences program area. The intent in asking for a preapplication is
to save the time and effort of applicants in preparing and submitting a
formal project application that may be inappropriate for the program.
The preapplication should consist of a two-to three-page concept paper
on the research contemplated for an application to the Energy
Biosciences program. The concept paper should focus on the scientific
objectives and significance of the planned research, and include an
outline of the approaches planned, and any other information relating
to the planned research. No budget information or biographical data
need be included; nor is an institutional endorsement necessary. The
preapplication gives us the opportunity to advise potential applicants
on the suitability of their research ideas to the mission of the DOE
Energy Biosciences program. A response indicating the appropriateness
of submitting a formal application will be sent from the Division of
Energy Biosciences office in time to allow for an adequate preparation
period for a formal application.
DATES: For timely consideration, all preapplications should be received
by February 27, 1998. However, earlier submissions will be gladly
accepted. A response to timely preapplications will be communicated by
April 17, 1998. The deadline for receipt of formal applications is June
17, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Preapplications referencing Program Notice 98-09 should be
forwarded to: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy
Sciences, ER-17, Division of Energy Biosciences, 19901 Germantown Road,
Germantown, MD 20874-1290, Attn: Program Notice 98-09. Fax submissions
are acceptable at (301) 903-1003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Pat Snyder, Division of Energy
Biosciences, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, ER-17, 19901 Germantown
Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290, telephone (301) 903-2873; E-mail
pat.snyder@oer.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Potential applicants should submit a brief
preapplication which consists of two to three pages of narrative
describing research objectives. These will be reviewed relative to the
scope and the research needs of the Energy Biosciences program. The
Energy Biosciences program has the mission of generating fundamental
biological information about plants and non-medical related
microorganisms that can provide support for future energy related
biotechnologies. The objective is to pursue basic biochemical, genetic
and physiological investigations that may contribute towards providing
alternate fuels, petroleum replacement products, energy conservation
measures as well as other technologies such as phytoremediation related
to DOE programs. Areas of interest include bioenergetic systems,
including photosynthesis; control of plant growth and development,
including metabolic, genetic, and hormonal and ambient factor
regulation, metabolic diversity, ion uptake, transport and
accumulation, stress physiology and adaptation; genetic transmission
and expression; plant-microbial interactions, plant cell wall structure
and function; lignocellulose degradative mechanisms; mechanisms of
fermentations, genetics of neglected microorganisms, energetics and
membrane phenomena; thermophily (molecular basis of high temperature
tolerance); microbial interactions; and one-carbon metabolism, which is
the basis of biotransformations such as methanogenesis. The objective
is to discern and understand basic mechanisms and principles.
Funds are expected to be available for new grant awards in FY 1999.
The magnitude of these funds available and the number of awards which
can be made will depend on the budget process. The awards made during
FY 1997 averaged close to $100,000 per year, mostly for a three-year
duration. The principal purpose in using preapplications at this time
is to reduce the expenditure of time and effort of all parties.
Information about development and submission of applications,
eligibility, limitations, evaluations and selection processes, and
other policies and procedures may be found in the 10 CFR part 605 and
the Application Guide for the Office of Energy Research Financial
Assistance Program. Electronic access to ER's Financial Assistance
Guide is possible via the Internet using the following Web Site
address: http://www.er.doe.gov/production/grants/grants.html
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for this program
is 81.049, and the solicitation control number is ERFAP 10 CFR part
605.
Issued in Washington, D.C., on January 5, 1998
John Rodney Clark,
Associate Director for Resource Management, Office of Energy Research.
[FR Doc. 98-675 Filed 1-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
