[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 4, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 449-450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-142]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Research


Energy Research Financial Assistance Program Notice 95-10: 
Innovations in Toroidal Magnetic Confinement Systems

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

ACTION: Notice inviting grant applications.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Fusion Energy (OFE) of the Office of Energy 
Research (ER), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces its interest 
in receiving grant applications for innovative experiments in toroidal 
magnetic confinement systems. These applications may be either to 
continue research on existing experimental devices or to start new 
experimental projects. Institutions with grants in experimental 
toroidal magnetic research who wish to continue to conduct toroidal 
experiments will need to submit new grant applications in response to 
this Notice.
    The Office of Fusion Energy is interested in applications for 
innovative research that have the possibility of leading to improved 
toroidal magnetic fusion power plants (this includes tokamak based 
power plants with [[Page 450]] improved performance). The research 
should be aimed at elucidating the physics principles of such improved 
toroidal magnetic power systems. Research projects are desired which 
are unique, first of a kind and provide new insights. Applications for 
research on existing large tokamaks should not be submitted in response 
to this notice.

DATES: To permit timely consideration for awards in Fiscal Year 1996, 
formal applications submitted in response to this notice must be 
received no later than 4:30 p.m., June 1, 1995. No electronic 
submissions of formal applications will be accepted.

ADDRESSES: Formal applications referencing Program Notice 95-10 should 
be forwarded to: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Research, 
Acquisition and Assistance Management Division, ER-64 (GTN), 
Washington, DC 20585, Attn: Program Notice 95-10. 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, Acquisition and Assistance 
Management Division, ER-64, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 
20874.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Ronald A. Blanken, Division of 
Advanced Physics & Technology, Office of Fusion Energy, ER-542, U.S. 
Department of Energy, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874, 
(301) 903-3306 or 903-3421, or by Internet address, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In selecting applications for funding, the 
DOE Office of Fusion Energy will give priority to applications that can 
produce experimental results within three to five years after grant 
initiation. Applications in fusion confinement concepts without closed 
toroidal magnetic surfaces and without significant rotational transform 
will not be considered under this Notice, but may be the subject of a 
future Notice.
    This notice requests that the detailed description of the proposed 
project component of a complete grant application required by 10 CFR 
605.9 (b) (2) should include a detailed experimental research plan 
which includes the specific results expected at the end of the project 
period. Evaluation of this written component against the selection 
criteria set forth in 10 CFR Part 605 will be the principal means for 
selecting the successful applications.
    It is anticipated that up to $5,000,000 in FY 1996 will be 
available to start new projects from applications received in response 
to this Notice. Future year funding is anticipated to be greater but 
will depend on the nature of the applications, suitable experimental 
progress and the availability of funds. Because of the total amount of 
anticipated available funding and because of the intent to have a 
broadly based program, applications with a base yearly requirement in 
any year in excess of $4,000,000 are unlikely to be funded. Evaluation 
against the selection criteria will be normalized on a per dollar basis 
so as not to favor applications of any particular size. Applications 
requiring yearly funding as low as $50,000 are welcome and encouraged.
    Applicants are requested to supply with their application a three 
page written summary (plus one page of figures) which will be read by 
all peer reviewers. The following sections should be included in the 
summary:
    (1) Goal of the experiment;
    (2) Synopsis of the experimental program plan;
    (3) Deliverable result expected (please be specific);
    (4) Adequacy of the facilities;
    (5) Adequacy of the budget (include yearly funding requested);
    (6) Discussion on why this research would have an important impact 
on the prospects for toroidal magnetic fusion power plants; and
    (7) Discussion of how the experiment would elucidate the physics 
principles of the innovation. It is expected that the review process 
will be completed in August 1995 and that OFE decisions will be 
announced in September 1995. To expedite communications, please include 
the principal investigator's telefax number and Internet address in 
Item 15 of the grant application.
    Information about the 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. The 
Application Guide is available from the U.S. Department of Energy, 
Office of Fusion Energy, Division of Advanced Physics and Technology, 
ER-542, Washington, DC 20585. Instructions for preparation of an 
application are included in the Application Guide. Telephone requests 
for the Application Guide may be made by calling (301) 903-3421.

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this 
program is 81.049, and the solicitation control number is ERFAP 10 
CFR Part 605.
D.D. Mayhew,
Director, Office of Management, Office of Energy Research.
[FR Doc. 95-142 Filed 1-3-95; 8:45 am]
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