[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 137 (Friday, July 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38625-38626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19117]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Research


Energy Research Financial Assistance Program Notice 98-18: 
Outstanding Junior Investigator Program

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

ACTION: Notice inviting grant applications.

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SUMMARY: The Division of High Energy Physics of the Office of Energy 
Research (OER), U.S. Department of Energy, hereby announces its 
interest in receiving grant applications for support under its 
Outstanding Junior Investigator (OJI) Program. Applications should be 
from tenure-track faculty investigators who are currently involved in 
experimental or theoretical high energy physics or accelerator 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 outstanding scientists early in their 
careers. Awards made under this program will help to maintain the 
vitality of university research and assure continued excellence in the 
teaching of physics.

DATES: To permit timely consideration for award in fiscal year 1999, 
formal applications submitted in response to this notice should be 
received before November 4, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Completed formal applications referencing Program Notice 98-
18 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 98-18. 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. Jeffrey Mandula, Division of High 
Energy Physics, ER-221 (GTN), U.S. Department of Energy, 19901 
Germantown Road, Germantown, Maryland 20874-1290. Telephone: (301) 903-
4829. E-Mail: [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Outstanding Junior Investigator program 
was started in 1978 by the Department of Energy's Office of Energy 
Research. A principal goal of this program is to identify exceptionally 
talented new high energy physicists early in their careers and assist 
and facilitate the development of their research programs. Eligibility 
for awards under this notice is therefore restricted to non-tenured 
investigators who are conducting experimental or theoretical high 
energy physics or accelerator physics research. Since its debut, the 
program has

[[Page 38626]]

initiated support for between five and ten new Outstanding Junior 
Investigators each year. The program has been very successful and 
contributes importantly to the vigor of the U.S. High Energy Physics 
program. Applicants should request support under this notice for normal 
research project costs as required to conduct their proposed research 
activities. The full range of activities currently supported by the 
Division of High Energy Physics is eligible for support under this 
program.
    The DOE expects to make five to ten grant awards in fiscal year 
1999 to meet the objectives of this program. It is anticipated that 
approximately $400,000 will be available in fiscal year 1999, subject 
to availability of appropriated funds. In the past, awards have 
averaged $50,000 per year, with the number of awards determined by the 
number of excellent applications and the total funds available for this 
program. Multiple year funding of grant awards is expected, with 
funding provided on an annual basis subject to availability of funds. 
Renewal beyond the initial project period is normal so long as the 
recipient's tenure status is unchanged.
    Applications will be subjected to a formal competitive 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. The application guide 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 July 2, 1998.
John Rodney Clark,
Associate Director for Resource Management, Office of Energy Research.
[FR Doc. 98-19117 Filed 7-16-98; 8:45 am]
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