[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 218 (Thursday, November 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63305-63308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30278]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Science; Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of
Science (Formerly the Office of Energy Research) Financial Assistance
Program--Notice 99-01
AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy.
ACTION: Annual Notice of Continuation of Availability of Grants and
Cooperative Agreements.
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SUMMARY: The Office of Science of the Department of Energy hereby
announces its continuing interest in receiving grant applications for
support of work in the following program areas: Basic Energy Sciences,
High Energy Physics, Nuclear Physics, Computational and Technology
Research, Fusion Energy Sciences, Biological and Environmental Research
and Energy Research Analyses. On
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September 3, 1992, (57 FR 40582), DOE published in the Federal Register
the Office of Energy Research Financial Assistance Program, 10 CFR Part
605, Final Rule, which contained a solicitation for this program.
Information about submission of applications, eligibility, limitations,
evaluation and selection processes and other policies and procedures
are specified in 10 CFR Part 605.
DATES: Applications may be submitted at any time in response to this
Notice of Availability.
ADDRESSES: Applications must be sent to: Director, Grants and Contracts
Division, Office of Science, SC-64, U.S. Department of Energy, 19901
Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290. When preparing
applications, applicants should use the Office of Science Financial
Assistance Program Application Guide and Forms located on the World
Wide Web at: http://www.er.doe.gov/production/grants/grants.html.
Applicants without Internet access may call 301-903-5212 for
information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Notice is published annually and
remains in effect until it is succeeded by another issuance by the
Office of Science. This annual Notice 99-01 succeeds Notice 98-01 which
was published October 31, 1997.
It is anticipated that approximately $400 million will be available
for grant and cooperative agreement awards in FY 1999. The DOE is under
no obligation to pay for any costs associated with the preparation or
submission of an application. DOE reserves the right to fund, in whole
or in part, any, all, or none of the applications submitted in response
to this Notice.
In addition, the following program descriptions are offered to
provide more in-depth information on scientific and technical areas of
interest to the Office of Science:
1. Basic Energy Sciences
The Basic Energy Sciences (BES) program supports fundamental
research in the natural sciences and engineering leading to new and
improved energy technologies and to understanding and mitigating the
environmental impacts of energy technologies. The science divisions and
their objectives are as follows:
(a) Materials Sciences
The objective of this program is to increase the understanding of
phenomena and properties important to materials behavior that will
contribute to meeting the needs of present and future energy
technologies. It is comprised of the subfields metallurgy, ceramics,
solid state physics, materials chemistry, and related disciplines where
the emphasis is on the science of materials. Program Contact: (301)
903-3427.
(b) Chemical Sciences
The objective of this program is to expand, through support of
basic research, knowledge of various areas of chemistry, chemical
engineering and atomic molecular and optical physics with a goal of
contributing to new or improved processes for developing and using
domestic energy resources in an efficient and environmentally sound
manner. Disciplinary areas where research is supported include atomic
molecular and optical physics; physical, inorganic and organic
chemistry; chemical physics; photochemistry; radiation chemistry;
analytical chemistry; separations science; actinide chemistry; and
chemical engineering sciences. Program Contact: (301) 903-5804.
(c) Engineering Research
This program's objectives are: (1) to extend the body of knowledge
underlying current engineering practice in order to open new ways for
enhancing energy savings and production, prolonging useful equipment
life, and reducing costs while maintaining output performance, and
environmental quality; and (2) to broaden the technical and conceptual
base for solving future engineering problems in the energy
technologies. Long-term research topics of current interest include:
foundations of bioprocessing of fuels and energy related wastes,
fracture mechanics, experimental and theoretical studies of multi phase
flows, intelligent machines, and diagnostics and control for plasma
processing of materials. Program Contact: (301) 903-5822.
(d) Geosciences
The goal of this program is to develop a quantitative and
predictive understanding of the energy-related aspects of processes in
the earth. The emphasis is on the upper levels of the earth's crust and
the focus is on geophysics, geomechanics and geochemistry of rock-fluid
systems and interactions emphasizing processes taking place at the
atomic and molecular scale. Specific topical areas receiving emphasis
include: high resolution geophysical imaging; rock physics, fundamental
properties and interactions of rocks, minerals, and fluids; and
sedimentary basin systems. The resulting improved understanding and
knowledge base are needed to assist efforts in the utilization of the
Nation's energy resources in an environmentally acceptable fashion.
Program Contact: (301) 903-5822.
(e) Energy Biosciences
The primary objective of this program is to generate the
fundamental understanding of biological mechanisms in the areas of
botanical and microbiological sciences that will support
biotechnological developments related to DOE's mission. The research
serves as the basic information foundation with respect to an
environmentally responsible renewable resource production for fuels and
chemicals, microbial conversions of renewable materials and biological
systems for the conservation of energy. This office has special
requirements for the submission of preapplications, when to submit, and
the length of the applications. Applicants are encouraged to contact
the office regarding these requirements. Program Contact: (301) 903-
2873.
2. High Energy and Nuclear Physics
This program supports about 90% of the U.S. efforts in high energy
and nuclear physics. The objectives of these programs are indicated
below:
(a) High Energy Physics
The primary objectives of this program are to understand the
ultimate structure of matter in terms of the properties and
interrelations of its basic constituents, and to understand the nature
and relationships among the fundamental forces of nature. The research
falls into three broad categories: experimental research, theoretical
research, and technology R&D in support of the high energy physics
program. Program Contact: (301) 903-3624.
(b) Nuclear Physics (Including Nuclear Data Program)
The primary objectives of this program are an understanding of the
interactions and structures of atomic nuclei and nuclear matter at the
most elementary level possible, and an understanding of the fundamental
forces of nature as manifested in nuclear matter. Program Contact:
(301) 903-3613.
3. Computational and Technology Research
The goal of this program is to conduct an integrated program in
applied mathematical sciences, high
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performance computing and communications, information infrastructure,
advanced energy projects research, and technology research, to address
complex problems. Research in forefront and diverse programs is
becoming more multi disciplinary and requires new approaches to the
solution of these complex problems. The program exploits the
capabilities and research skills at universities, national
laboratories, and industrial research laboratories. The program
provides technical, analytical, and management direction for
development, implementation, and evaluation of research programs that
include activities from fundamental research to technology development.
The goal of the program is accomplished through the effort of the
following two divisions:
(a) Mathematical, Information, and Computational Sciences
This subprogram supports a spectrum of fundamental research in
applied mathematical sciences, computer science, and networking from
basic through prototype development. Results of these efforts are used
to form partnerships with users in scientific disciplines to validate
the usefulness of the ideas and to develop them into tools. Testbeds on
important applications for DOE are supported by this subprogram.
Program Contact: (301)-903-5800.
(b) Advanced Energy Projects/Laboratory Technology Research
Advanced Energy Projects--This activity funds research to establish
the feasibility of novel, energy-related concepts. These concepts are
usually derived from recent advances in basic research, but require
additional research to establish their feasibility. A common theme for
each concept is the initial linkage of new, or previously neglected,
research results to a practical energy payoff for the Nation.
Laboratory Technology Research--This subprogram conducts high risk,
energy-related research that advances fundamental science and
technology toward innovative applications that could significantly
impact the Nation's energy economy. Scientists at the Office of Science
laboratories enter into cost-shared research partnerships with industry
to explore energy applications of research advances in areas of mission
relevance to both parties. The partners jointly bring technology
research to a point where industry or the Department's technology
development programs can pursue final development or commercialization.
Current research projects emphasize advanced materials, intelligent
processes and controls, and energy-related applications of
biotechnology. Program Contact: (301)-903-5995.
4. Fusion Energy Sciences
The mission of the Fusion Energy Sciences program is to advance
plasma science, fusion science, and fusion technology--the knowledge
base needed for an economically and environmentally attractive fusion
energy source. This program is supported by the Office of Fusion Energy
Sciences (OFES), which fosters both applied and basic research and
emphasizes international collaboration to accomplish this mission.
(a) Science Division
This Division seeks to develop the physics knowledge base needed to
advance the Fusion Energy Sciences program toward its goals. Basic and
applied research is carried out in the following areas: (1) basic
plasma science research directed at furthering the understanding of
fundamental processes in plasmas; (2) improving the theoretical
understanding of fusion plasmas necessary for interpreting results from
present experiments and the planning and design of future confinement
devices, (3) obtaining the critical data on plasma properties, atomic
physics and new diagnostic techniques for support of confinement
experiments, (4) supporting exploratory research into concepts that are
alternatives to the tokamak, and (5) carrying out research on issues
that support the development of Inertial Fusion Energy, for which
target development is carried out by the Department of Energy's Defense
Programs. Research into basic physics issues associated with medium to
large scale confinement devices is essential to studying conditions
relevant to the production of fusion energy. Experiments on these scale
of devices are used to explore the limits of specific confinement
concepts, as well as study associated physical phenomena. Specific
areas of interest include: (1) the production of increased plasma
densities and temperatures, (2) the understanding of the physical laws
governing plasma energy of high plasma pressure, (4) the investigation
of plasma interaction with radio frequency waves, and (5) the study and
control of particle transport and exhaust in plasmas. Program Contact:
(301) 903-4095.
(b) Technology Division
This Division seeks to develop the technology knowledge base needed
to advance the Fusion Energy Sciences program toward its goals. The
Division's science-oriented goal is to provide the technologies that
are required to successfully design, build, and operate near-term
experiments aimed at producing, understanding, and optimizing the
fusion energy process. The Division's energy-oriented goal is to
develop the technologies that will be needed in the long-term for an
economically and environmentally attractive fusion energy source. These
goals are pursued through multi-institutional domestic programs and
international collaboration partnerships. Program Contact: (301) 903-
5378.
5. Biological and Environmental Research Program
The goals of the Biological and Environmental Research Program are
as follows: (1) to provide, through basic and applied research, the
scientific information required to identify, understand and anticipate
the long-term health and environmental consequences of energy use and
development; and (2) to utilize the Department's unique resources to
solve major scientific problems in medicine, biology and the
environment. Goals of the program are accomplished through the efforts
of the following research program elements:
(a) Health Effects and Life Sciences Research
This is a broad program of basic and applied biological research.
The objectives are: (1) to create and apply new technologies and
resources in mapping, sequencing, and information management for
characterizing the molecular nature of the human genome; (2) to develop
and support DOE national user facilities for use in fundamental
structural biology; (3) to use model organisms to understand human
genome organization, human gene function and control, and the
functional relationships between human genes and proteins; (4) to
characterize and exploit the genomes and diversity of microbes with
potential relevance for energy, bioremediation, or global climate; (5)
to understand and characterize the risks to human health from exposures
to low levels of radiation and chemicals; (6) to develop novel
technologies for high throughput determination of protein structure;
and (7) to anticipate and address ethical, legal, and social
implications arising from genome research. Program Contact: (301) 903-
5468.
(b) Medical Applications and Measurement Science
The objectives of this program comprise the following areas: (1) to
develop technologies for the beneficial applications of radiation and
in vivo
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radiotracer detection in the study, diagnosis and treatment of human
diseases and disorders; (2) to develop new instrumentation for
biological and medical research; and (3) to develop new concepts and
techniques for detecting and measuring the hazardous agents of
biochemical, physical and environmental consequences related to energy
production.
Program Contact: (301) 903-3213.
(c) Environmental Remediation
The objectives of the program relate to environmental processes
affected by energy production and use. The program develops information
on the physical, chemical and biological processes that cycle and
transport energy-related material, particularly contaminates that arose
during nuclear weapons production, through the Earth's surface and
subsurface. Emphasis is put on the development of a strong basis for
understanding and implementing the appropriate and efficient use of
bioremediation, particularly at the Department's sites.
Program Contact: (301) 903-3281.
(d) Environmental Processes
This program addresses global environmental change from increases
in atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The scope of
the global change program encompasses the carbon cycle, climate
modeling and diagnostics, atmospheric sciences and meteorology,
ecosystem responses, and impacts on resources. The role of clouds and
radiation in climate prediction is a particular emphasis.
Program Contact: (301) 903-3281.
6. Energy Research Analyses
This program supports energy research analyses of the Department's
basic and applied research activities. Specific objectives include
assessments to identify any duplication or gaps in scientific research
activities, and impartial and independent evaluations of scientific and
technical research efforts.
Program Contact: (202) 586-7021.
7. Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)
The objective of the EPSCoR program is to enhance the capabilities
of EPSCoR states to conduct nationally competitive energy-related
research and to develop science and engineering manpower to meet
current and future needs in energy-related fields. This program
addressees research needs across all of the Department of Energy
research interests. Research supported by the EPSCoR program is
concerned with the same broad research areas addressed by the Office of
Science programs that are described above. The EPSCoR program is
restricted to applications which originate in eighteen states (Alabama,
Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi,
Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina,
South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming) and the commonwealth
of Puerto Rico. It is anticipated that in Fiscal Year 1999, only a
limited number of new competitive research grants will be awarded under
this program due to prior commitments to ongoing EPSCoR grant projects.
Program Contact: (301) 903-3427.
Issued in Washington, DC, on November 5, 1998.
John Rodney Clark,
Associate Director for Resource Management, Office of Science.
[FR Doc. 98-30278 Filed 11-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
