[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 7 (Monday, January 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 1839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-675]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Research


Energy Research Financial Assistance Program Notice 98-09; Energy 
Biosciences

AGENCY: U.S. 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 27, 1998. However, earlier submissions will be gladly 
accepted. A response to timely preapplications will be communicated by 
April 17, 1998. The deadline for receipt of formal applications is June 
17, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Preapplications referencing Program Notice 98-09 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 98-09. Fax submissions 
are acceptable at (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; E-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Potential applicants should submit a brief 
preapplication 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 1999. 
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 1997 averaged close to $100,000 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 Application Guide for the Office of Energy Research Financial 
Assistance Program. Electronic access to ER's Financial Assistance 
Guide is possible via the Internet using the following Web Site 
address: 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, D.C., on January 5, 1998
John Rodney Clark,
Associate Director for Resource Management, Office of Energy Research.
[FR Doc. 98-675 Filed 1-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P