[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 231 (Friday, December 1, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61695-61696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29308]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Energy Research Financial Assistance Program Notice 96-04; 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) 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 26, 1996. However, earlier submissions will be gladly 
accepted. A response to timely preapplications will be communicated by 
April 18, 1996. The deadline for receipt of formal applications is June 
5, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Preapplications referencing Program Notice 96-04 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 96-04. 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, 19901 Germantown 
Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290, 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 1997. 
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 1995 ranged on the average from about $63,000 to $175,000 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 Guide. 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, 19901 
Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290. Telephone requests may be 
made by calling (301) 903-2873. Instructions for preparation of an 
application are included in the application guide. Electronic access to 
ER's Financial Assistance Guide is possible via the 

[[Page 61696]]
Internet using the following E-mail address: http://www.er.doe.gov/

 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 November 17, 1995.
D. D. Mayhew,
Associate Director, Office of Resource Management, Office of Energy 
Research.
[FR Doc. 95-29308 Filed 11-30-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P