[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 34 (Friday, February 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3784]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 18, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Science Education and Technical Information

 

Energy Research Financial Assistance Program Notice 94-11; 
University Reactor Sharing Program

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice inviting grant applications.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Science Education and Technical Information (ET) 
of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in keeping with its energy-
related mission to strengthen the Nation's support of science, 
engineering and mathematics education at all levels of education, 
announces its interest in receiving grant applications for the support 
of the University Reactor Sharing Program. The purpose of this program 
is to provide broader access and opportunity for non-reactor owning 
educational institutions to utilize the scientific and engineering 
technologies available at these universities with operating reactor 
facilities. This is accomplished by providing funds to U.S. colleges or 
universities with nuclear reactor facilities (host institutions) that 
cover reactor operating costs when the regional affiliates (user 
institutions) use the reactor facility for student or faculty 
instruction or research. In accordance with 10 CFR 600.7(b)(1), 
eligibility for these grants is restricted to U.S. colleges and 
universities with nuclear reactor facilities because they have a unique 
opportunity to enable other institutions to participate in important 
aspects of the Nation's nuclear science and engineering educational 
programs. It is anticipated, that subject to availability of funds, 
approximately $500,000 will be available for support of this program 
during fiscal year 1994.

DATES: Applications under this Notice should be received by 4:30 p.m., 
Daylight Saving Time, May 3, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Application materials are available from the Office of 
Science Education and Technical Information, ET-1, 1000 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202)586-8949. Completed 
applications referencing Program Notice 94-11 must be submitted to: 
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Research, Acquisition and 
Assistance Management Division, ER-64, room F-220, Washington, DC 
20585, ATTN: Program Notice 94-11. The following address must be used 
when submitting applications by U.S. Postal Service Express mail, any 
commercial mail delivery service, or when handcarried by the applicant: 
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Research, Acquisition and 
Assistance Management Division, ER-64, 19901 Germantown Road, 
Germantown, MD 20874. Telephone and telefax numbers must also be 
included in any application.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Larry Barker, Program Manager, 
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science Education and Technical 
Information, Office of University and Science Education Programs, ET-3, 
Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-8947.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This program provides funding to host 
institutions to cover expenses associated with operation of their 
nuclear reactor facility for the benefit of user institutions to 
promote education, training or research opportunities. University 
reactors are extremely versatile neutron sources and research 
facilities; thus the availability of a nuclear reactor contributes 
particularly and significantly to research and educational 
opportunities at both the graduate, undergraduate and precollege 
levels. Any U.S. educational institution which operates a research or 
training reactor may submit an application for a new or renewal award. 
However, those institutions applying that have a substantial number of 
user institutions indicating continued or new interest in using the 
nuclear reactor facility are more likely to be selected than those 
applicants who do not have sufficient numbers of user institutions. 
User groups affiliated with the host institution are not considered 
eligible for participation in this program. Projects may range from 
tours, demonstrations, experiments, workshops and seminars for middle 
school and high school groups to faculty research projects and MS/PhD 
thesis or dissertation research. Reactor utilization may range from 
simple service irradiations and analytical support to basic research 
studies requiring the facility's most sophisticated equipment. Each 
application must include under the ``Project Description'' portion, 
information on the relative availability of the reactor to outside 
users, an assessment on a regional basis of the colleges, universities 
and/or precollege institutions that can be served by the proposing 
institution's reactor facility, and must provide evidence of interest 
on the part of potential or former user institutions to utilize the 
applicant's reactor facility during the proposed grant period. A 
summary of participation during the previous grant period will provide 
the supporting information needed. Allowable costs under this program 
include:
    (1) Payments for irradiation services not to exceed the 
established, published schedule of the host institution;
    (2) Payments for use of the reactor and related facilities based 
upon established rates of the host institution;
    (3) Cost of technical assistance furnished by the host institution 
for conduct of studies by a user institution; and
    (4) Costs of materials and supplies consumed in user institution 
projects. Unallowable costs under this program include:
    (1) Normal operating expenses of the facility;
    (2) Laboratory apparatus and instrumentation;
    (3) Costs that are covered by existing grant or contract;
    (4) Indirect or overhead costs; and
    (5) Funds for individual or group travel or subsistence unless 
there are highly unusual situations and there is prior approval.
    During fiscal year 1994, DOE anticipates that the number of awards 
to be issued and the amount of each award will depend upon the number 
of approved applications, the amount of funds requested and the total 
DOE funds made available for this program. It is anticipated that, 
subject to the availability of funds, $500,000 will be available from 
DOE's Office of Science Education and Technical Information for this 
program. Awards may range from $5,000 to $100,000 per year.
    Additional information may be subsequently requested by DOE during 
evaluation of a submitted application. General information about 
development and submission of applications, eligibility, limitations, 
evaluation and selection processes, and other policies and procedures 
are contained in the Application Guide for the Office of Energy 
Research Financial Assistance Program, and in 10 CFR part 605. The 
catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program is 
81.049.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 7, 1994.
D. D. Mayhew,
Director, Office of Management, Office of Energy Research.
[FR Doc. 94-3784 Filed 2-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P