[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 179 (Thursday, September 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 50278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24162]



[[Page 50278]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Office of Science; Office of Science Financial Assistance Program 
Notice 99-26; 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 
Science (SC), 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 2000, formal 
applications in response to this notice should be received on or before 
January 20, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Completed formal applications referencing Program Notice 99-
26 should be forwarded to: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of 
Science, Grants and Contracts Division, SC-64, 19901 Germantown Road, 
Germantown, Maryland 20874-1290, ATTN: Program Notice 99-26. The above 
address must also be used when submitting applications by U.S. Postal 
Service Express, any other 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, SC-55 
(GTN), 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. Applications from Junior Faculty involved in any 
areas of plasma physics research, not only magnetic fusion, are 
welcomed and encouraged. 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.
    It is anticipated that annual funding levels up to $150,000 per 
award may be made available for grants under this notice during FY 
2000, 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 three awards during FY 2000, 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. The usual 
duration of these grants is three years and they will not normally be 
renewed after the project period is completed. It is anticipated that 
at the end of the grant period, grantees will submit new grant 
applications to continue their research to the Department of Energy or 
other Federal funding agencies. For the Office of Science, these 
applications should follow the usual application process. Applications 
will be subjected to scientific 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.
    An additional review criteria will address educational aspects of 
the proposed work including the involvement of graduate and 
undergraduate students. These aspects should be discussed in the 
application.
    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 Science 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 August 31, 1999.
John Rodney Clark,
Associate Director of Science for Resource Management.
[FR Doc. 99-24162 Filed 9-15-99; 8:45 am]
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