[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-30500]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 13, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
 

Energy Research Financial Assistance Program Notice 95-07; Energy 
Biosciences

AGENCY: 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) announces its interest 
in receiving 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 preliminary screening of research 
ideas is aimed also at relieving some of the burden of the scientific 
community in peer reviewing an excessive number of research 
applications. The preapplication should consist of a two to three page 
concept paper about the research being contemplated as a potential, 
formal application to the Energy Biosciences program. The concept paper 
should focus on the objectives of the planned research, its scientific 
goals and their significance, an outline of the approaches planned, and 
any other information that relates to the planned research. No budget 
information or biographical data need be included; nor is an 
institutional endorsement necessary. The preapplication gives DOE the 
opportunity to evaluate the technical suitability of submitting a 
formal application for support of research ideas. 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 22, 1995. Earlier submissions are encouraged and fax 
submissions are acceptable (Fax Number [301] 903-1003). A response to 
timely preapplications will be communicated by April 20, 1995. The 
deadline for receipt of formal applications is June 7, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Preapplications referencing Program Notice 95-07 should be 
forwarded to: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy 
Sciences, ER-17, Division of Energy Biosciences, Washington, D.C. 
20585, Attn: Program Notice 95-07. The following address must be used 
when submitting preapplications by U.S. Postal Service Express, any 
commercial mail delivery service, or when handcarried by the applicant: 
U.S. Department of Energy, Division of Energy Biosciences, ER-17, 19901 
Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874. Fax submissions are acceptable 
(Fax Number [301] 903-1003).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Pat Snyder, Division of Energy 
Biosciences, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, ER-17, Washington, D.C. 
20585, telephone: (301) 903-2873.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Before preparing a formal application, 
potential applicants should submit a brief preapplication in accordance 
with 10 CFR 600.10(d)(2), 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 1996. 
The magnitude of these funds available and the number of awards which 
can be made will depend on the budget process. The new awards made 
during FY 1994 averaged about $87,000 per year. Most awards are funded 
for a three-year period. 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 Application Guide for 
the Office of Energy Research Financial Assistance Program and 10 CFR 
Part 605. The Application Guide for the Office of Energy Research 
Financial Assistance Program for formal submissions and copies of 10 
CFR Part 605 are available from U.S. Department of Energy, Office of 
Basic Energy Sciences, ER-17, Division of Energy Biosciences, 
Washington, D.C. 20585. Telephone requests may be made by calling (301) 
903-2873. Instructions for preparation of a formal application are 
number for this program is 81.049.

    Issued in Washington, D.C., on November 28, 1994.
D.D. Mayhew,
Director, Office of Management, Office of Energy Research.
[FR Doc. 94-30500 Filed 12-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P