[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 240 (Monday, December 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 65687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32642]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Office of Energy Research; Energy Research Financial Assistance 
Program Notice 98-06; Plasma Physics Junior Faculty Development Program

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

ACTION: Notice inviting grant applications.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (OFES) of the Office of 
Energy Research (OER), U.S. Department of Energy hereby announces its 
interest in receiving grant applications for support under its Plasma 
Physics Junior Faculty Development Program. Applications should be from 
tenure-track faculty investigators who are currently involved in 
experimental or theoretical plasma physics research and should be 
submitted through a U.S. academic institution. The purpose of this 
program is to support the development of the individual research 
programs of exceptionally talented scientists and engineers early in 
their careers.

DATES: To permit timely consideration for awards in FY 1998, formal 
applications in response to this notice should be received on or before 
March 4, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Completed formal applications referencing Program Notice 98-
06 should be forwarded to: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 
Research, Grants and Contracts Division, ER-64, 19901 Germantown Road, 
Germantown, Maryland 20874-1290, ATTN: Program Notice 98-06. The above 
address must also be used when submitting applications by U.S. Postal 
Service Express, and commercial mail delivery service or when hand 
carried by the applicant.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Ronald McKnight, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, Science Division, ER-55, 
19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, Maryland 20874-1290. Telephone: 
(301) 903-4597. E-mail: [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Plasma Physics Junior Faculty 
Development Program was started in FY 1997. A principal goal of this 
program is to identify exceptionally talented plasma faculty members 
early in their careers and assist and facilitate the development of 
their research programs. Eligibility for awards under this notice is, 
therefore, restricted to tenure-track regular academic faculty 
investigators who are conducting experimental or theoretical plasma 
physics research. Emphasis is to be placed on basic plasma science 
research. For applications to be considered for funding, certification 
of the status of the applicant as a tenure-track regular academic 
faculty member by the head of the applicant's academic department or 
other university/college certifying official will be required before 
the grant is awarded. Awards made under this program will help to 
maintain the vitality of university plasma physics research and assure 
continued excellence in the teaching of plasma physics and related 
disciplines. Applications from Junior Faculty involved in any areas of 
plasma physics research, not only magnetic fusion, are welcomed and 
encouraged.
    It is anticipated that annual funding levels up to $150,000 per 
award may be made available for grants under this notice during FY 
1998, contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds. Funding 
for equipment above this level will be considered on a case-by-case 
basis. DOE may make up to four awards during FY 1998, depending on the 
number of meritorious applications and the availability of appropriated 
funds. Multiple year funding of grant awards is expected, with funding 
provided on an annual basis subject to availability of funds. These 
grants will not normally be renewed after the project period is 
completed; grantees may, however, submit new grant applications to 
continue their research using the usual Departmental grant application 
process. Applications will be subjected to formal merit review and will 
be evaluated against the following criteria, which are listed in 
descending order of importance as set forth in 10 CFR Part 605:
    1. Scientific and/or technical merit of the project;
    2. Appropriateness of the proposed method or approach;
    3. Competency of applicant's personnel and adequacy of proposed 
resources; and
    4. Reasonableness and appropriateness of the proposed budget.
    General information about development and submission of 
applications, eligibility, limitations, evaluations and selection 
processes, and other policies and procedures are contained in the 
Application Guide for the Office of Energy Research Financial 
Assistance Program and 10 CFR Part 605 which is available on the World 
Wide Web at: http://www.er.doe.gov/production/grants/grants.html

(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, DC on December 1, 1997.
John Rodney Clark,
Associate Director for Resource Management, Office of Energy Research.
[FR Doc. 97-32642 Filed 12-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P