[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 214 (Friday, November 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60431-60434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29018]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Office of Science; Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of 
Science Financial Assistance Program--Notice 00-01

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy.

ACTION: Annual notice of continuation of availability of grants and 
cooperative agreements.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Science of the Department of Energy hereby 
announces its continuing interest in receiving grant applications for 
support of work in the following program areas: Basic Energy Sciences, 
High Energy Physics, Nuclear Physics, Computational and Technology 
Research, Fusion Energy Sciences, and Biological and Environmental 
Research. On September 3, 1992 (57 FR 40582), DOE published in the 
Federal Register the Office of Energy Research Financial Assistance 
Program (now called the Office of Science Financial Assistance 
Program), 10 CFR Part 605, Final Rule, which contained a solicitation 
for this program. Information about submission of applications, 
eligibility, limitations, evaluation and selection processes and other 
policies and procedures are specified in 10 CFR Part 605.

DATES: Applications may be submitted at any time in response to this 
Notice of Availability.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be sent to: Director, Grants and Contracts 
Division, Office of Science, SC-64, U.S. Department of Energy, 19901 
Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290. When preparing 
applications, applicants should use the Office of Science Financial 
Assistance Program Application Guide and Forms located on the World 
Wide Web at: http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/grants/grants.html. 
Applicants without Internet access may call 301-903-5212 for 
information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Notice is published annually and 
remains in effect until it is succeeded by another issuance by the 
Office of Science. This annual Notice 00-01 succeeds Notice 99-01 which 
was published November 12, 1998.
    It is anticipated that approximately $400 million will be available 
for grant and cooperative agreement awards in FY 2000. The DOE is under 
no obligation to pay for any costs associated with the preparation or 
submission of an application. DOE reserves the right to fund, in whole 
or in part, any, all, or none of the applications submitted in response 
to this Notice.
    In addition, the following program descriptions are offered to 
provide more in-depth information on scientific and technical areas of 
interest to the Office of Science:

1. Basic Energy Sciences

    The Basic Energy Sciences (BES) program supports fundamental 
research in the natural sciences and engineering leading to new and 
improved energy technologies and to understanding and mitigating the 
environmental impacts of energy technologies. The science divisions and 
their objectives are as follows:

(a) Materials Sciences

    The objective of this program is to increase the understanding of 
phenomena and properties important to materials behavior that will 
contribute to meeting the needs of present and future energy 
technologies. It is comprised of the subfields metallurgy, ceramics, 
condensed matter physics, materials chemistry, and related disciplines 
where the emphasis is on the science of materials.
    Program Contact: (301) 903-3427.

(b) Chemical Sciences

    The objective of this program is to expand, through support of 
basic research, knowledge of various areas of chemistry, chemical 
engineering and atomic molecular and optical physics with a goal of 
contributing to new or improved processes for developing and using 
domestic energy resources in an efficient and environmentally sound 
manner. Disciplinary areas where research is supported include atomic 
molecular and optical physics; physical, inorganic and organic 
chemistry; chemical physics; photochemistry; radiation chemistry; 
analytical chemistry; separations science; actinide chemistry; and 
chemical engineering sciences.
    Program Contact: (301) 903-5804.

[[Page 60432]]

(c) Engineering Research

    This program's objectives are: (1) to extend the body of knowledge 
underlying current engineering practice in order to open new ways for 
enhancing energy savings and production, prolonging useful equipment 
life, and reducing costs while maintaining output performance, and 
environmental quality; and (2) to broaden the technical and conceptual 
base for solving future engineering problems in the energy 
technologies. Long-term research topics of current interest include: 
foundations of bioprocessing of fuels and energy related wastes, micro- 
and nano-scale energy transport, fracture mechanics, fundamental 
studies of multiphase flows and heat transfer, robotics and intelligent 
machines, nanotechnology, and diagnostics and control for plasma 
processing of materials.
    Program Contact: (301) 903-5822.

(d) Geosciences

    The goal of this program is to develop a quantitative and 
predictive understanding of geologic processes related to energy, and 
related to environmental quality. The emphasis is on the upper levels 
of the earth's crust and the focus is on geophysics, geomechanics, 
hydrogeology and geochemistry of rock-fluid systems and interactions 
emphasizing processes taking place at the atomic and molecular scale. 
Specific topical areas receiving emphasis include: high resolution 
geophysical imaging; rock physics, physics of fluid transport, and 
fundamental properties and interactions of rocks, minerals, and fluids. 
The resulting improved understanding and knowledge base will form the 
foundation for utilization of the Nation's energy resources in an 
environmentally acceptable fashion.
    Program Contact: (301) 903-5822.

(e) Energy Biosciences

    The primary objective of this program is to generate the 
fundamental understanding of biological mechanisms in the areas of 
botanical and microbiological sciences that will support 
biotechnological developments related to DOE's mission. The research 
serves as the basic information foundation with respect to an 
environmentally responsible renewable resource production for fuels and 
chemicals, microbial conversions of renewable materials and biological 
systems for the conservation of energy. Research focusing on the 
fundamental mechanistic biosciences underlying carbon management is a 
particular emphasis. This office has special requirements for the 
submission of preapplications, when to submit, and the length of the 
applications. Applicants are encouraged to contact the office regarding 
these requirements.
    Program Contact: (301) 903-2873.

2. High Energy and Nuclear Physics

    This program supports about 90% of the U.S. efforts in high energy 
and nuclear physics. The objectives of these programs are indicated 
below:

(a) High Energy Physics

    The primary objectives of this program are to understand the 
ultimate structure of matter in terms of the properties and 
interrelations of its basic constituents, and to understand the nature 
and relationships among the fundamental forces of nature. The research 
falls into three broad categories: experimental research, theoretical 
research, and technology R&D in support of the high energy physics 
program.
    Program Contact: (301) 903-3624.

(b) Nuclear Physics (Including Nuclear Data Program)

    The primary objectives of this program are an understanding of the 
interactions and structures of atomic nuclei and nuclear matter at the 
most elementary level possible, and an understanding of the fundamental 
forces of nature as manifested in nuclear matter.
    Program Contact: (301) 903-3613.

3. Computational and Technology Research

    This program fosters and supports fundamental research in advanced 
computing research (applied mathematics, computer science and 
networking), and operates supercomputer, networking, and related 
facilities to enable the analysis, modeling, simulation, and prediction 
of complex phenomena important to the Department of Energy.

(a) Mathematical, Information, and Computational Sciences

    This subprogram supports a spectrum of fundamental research in 
applied mathematical sciences, computer science, and networking from 
basic through prototype development. Results of these efforts are used 
to form partnerships with users in scientific disciplines to validate 
the usefulness of the ideas and to develop them into tools. Testbeds on 
important applications for DOE are supported by this subprogram. Areas 
of particular focus are:
Applied Mathematics
    Research on the underlying mathematical understanding and numerical 
algorithms to enable effective description and prediction of physical 
systems such as fluids, magnetized plasmas, or protein molecules. This 
includes, for example, methods for solving large systems of partial 
differential equations on parallel computers, techniques for choosing 
optimal values for parameters in large systems with hundreds to 
hundreds of thousands of parameters, improving our understanding of 
fluid turbulence, and developing techniques for reliably estimating the 
errors in simulations of complex physical phenomena.
Computer Science
    Research in computer science to enable large scientific 
applications through advances in massively parallel computing such as 
very lightweight operating systems for parallel computers, distributed 
computing such as development of the Parallel Virtual Machine (PVM) 
software package which has become an industry standard, and large scale 
data management and visualization. The development of new computer and 
computational science techniques will allow scientists to use the most 
advanced computers without being overwhelmed by the complexity of 
rewriting their codes every 18 months.
Networking
    Research in high performance networks and information surety 
required to support high performance applications--protocols for high 
performance networks, methods for measuring the performance of high 
performance networks, and software to enable high speed connections 
between high performance computers and networks. The development of 
high speed communications and collaboration technologies will allow 
scientists to view, compare, and integrate data from multiple sources 
remotely.
    Program Contact: (301) 903-5800.

4. Fusion Energy Sciences

    The mission of the Fusion Energy Sciences program is to advance 
plasma science, fusion science, and fusion technology--the knowledge 
base needed for an economically and environmentally attractive fusion 
energy source. This program is supported by the Office of Fusion Energy 
Sciences (OFES), which fosters both applied and basic research and 
emphasizes international collaboration to accomplish this mission.

[[Page 60433]]

(a) Research Division

    This Division seeks to develop the physics knowledge base needed to 
advance the Fusion Energy Sciences program toward its goals. Research 
into physics issues associated with medium to large scale confinement 
devices is essential to studying conditions relevant to the production 
of fusion energy. Experiments on these scale of devices are used to 
explore the limits of specific confinement concepts, as well as study 
associated physical phenomena. Specific areas of interest include: (1) 
The production of increased plasma densities and temperatures, (2) the 
understanding of the physical laws governing plasma energy of high 
plasma pressure, (3) the investigation of plasma interaction with radio 
frequency waves, and (4) the study and control of particle transport 
and exhaust in plasmas.
    Research is also carried out in the following areas: (1) Basic 
plasma science research directed at furthering the understanding of 
fundamental processes in plasmas; (2) improving the theoretical 
understanding of fusion plasmas necessary for interpreting results from 
present experiments and the planning and design of future confinement 
devices, (3) obtaining the critical data on plasma properties, atomic 
physics and new diagnostic techniques for support of confinement 
experiments, (4) supporting exploratory research on innovative 
confinement concepts, and (5) carrying out research on issues that 
support the development of Inertial Fusion Energy, for which target 
development is carried out by the Department of Energy's Defense 
Programs.
    Program Contact: (301) 903-4095.

(b) Facilities and Enabling Technologies Division

    This Division is responsible for overseeing the facility operations 
and enabling research and development activity budgets within the OFES. 
Grant program opportunities are in the enabling research and 
development activity. (Grants for scientific use of the facilities 
operated/maintained by this Division should be addressed to the 
Research Division.) The enabling technologies program supports the 
advancement of fusion science in the nearer-term by carrying out 
research on technological topics that: (1) Enable domestic experiments 
to achieve their full performance potential and scientific research 
goals, (2) permit scientific exploitation of the performance gains 
being sought from physics concept improvements, (3) allow the US to 
enter into international collaborations gaining access to experimental 
conditions not available domestically, and (4) explore the science 
underlying these technological advances.
    The enabling technologies program supports pursuit of fusion energy 
science for the longer-term by conducting research aimed at innovative 
technologies, designs and materials to point toward an attractive 
fusion energy vision and affordable pathways for optimized fusion 
development.
    Program Contact: (301) 903-306.

5. Biological and Environmental Research Program

    For over 50 years the Biological and Environmental Research (BER) 
Program has been investing to advance environmental and biomedical 
knowledge connected to energy. The BER program provides fundamental 
science to underpin the business thrusts of the Department's strategic 
plan. Through its support of peer-reviewed research at national 
laboratories, universities, and private institutions, the program 
develops the knowledge needed to identify, understand, and anticipate 
the long-term health and environmental consequences of energy 
production, development, and use.

(a) Life Sciences Research

    Research is focused on utilizing unique DOE resources and 
facilities to develop fundamental biological information and advanced 
technologies for understanding and mitigating the potential health 
effects of energy development, energy use, and waste cleanup. The 
objectives are: (1) To create and apply new technologies and resources 
in mapping, sequencing, and information management for characterizing 
the molecular nature of the human genome; (2) to develop and support 
DOE national user facilities for use in fundamental structural biology; 
(3) to use model organisms to understand human genome organization, 
human gene function and control, and the functional relationships 
between human genes and proteins; (4) to characterize and exploit the 
genomes and diversity of microbes with potential relevance for energy, 
bioremediation, or global climate; (5) to understand and characterize 
the risks to human health from exposures to low levels of radiation and 
chemicals; (6) to develop novel technologies for high throughput 
determination of protein structure; and (7) to anticipate and address 
ethical, legal, and social implications arising from genome research.
    Program Contact: (301) 903-5468.

(b) Medical Applications and Measurement Science

    The research is designed to develop beneficial applications of 
nuclear and other energy-related technologies for medical diagnosis and 
treatment. The research is directed at discovering new applications of 
radiotracer agents for medical research as well as for clinical 
diagnosis and therapy. A major emphasis is placed on application of the 
latest concepts and developments in genomics, structural biology, 
computational biology, and instrumentation. Much of the research seeks 
breakthroughs in noninvasive imaging technologies such as positron 
emission tomography. The measurement science activities focus on 
research in the basic science of chemistry, physics and engineering as 
applied to bioengineering.
    Program Contact: (301) 903-3213.

(c) Environmental Remediation

    The research is primarily focused on the fundamental biological, 
chemical, geological, and physical processes that must be understood 
for the development and advancement of new, effective, and efficient 
processes for the remediation and restoration of the Nation's nuclear 
weapons production sites. Priorities of this research are 
bioremediation and operation of the William R. Wiley Environmental 
Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL). Bioremediation activities are 
centered on the Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research (NABIR) 
program, a basic research program focused on determining the conditions 
under which bioremediation will be a reliable, efficient, and cost-
effective technique. This subprogram also includes basic research in 
support of pollution prevention, sustainable technology development and 
other fundamental research to address problems of environmental 
contamination.
    Program Contact: (301) 903-3281.

(d) Environmental Processes

    The program seeks to understand the basic chemical, physical, and 
biological processes of the Earth's atmosphere, land, and oceans and 
how these processes may be affected by energy production and use. The 
research is designed to provide the data that will enable an objective 
assessment of the potential for, and consequences of, global warming. 
The program is comprehensive with an emphasis on understanding the 
radiation balance from the surface of the Earth to the top of the 
atmosphere (including the role of clouds) and on enhancing the

[[Page 60434]]

quantitative models necessary to predict possible climate change at the 
global and regional scales.
    The Climate Change Technology Initiative (CCTI) seeks the 
understanding necessary to exploit the biosphere's natural processes to 
enhance the sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide in terrestrial 
systems and the ocean. The CCTI includes research to identify and 
understand the environmental and biological factors or processes that 
limit the sequestration of carbon in these systems, and to develop 
approaches for overcoming such limitations to enhance sequestration. 
The research includes studies on terrestrial and ocean carbon 
sequestration, including the role of marine microorganisms and other 
types of terrestrial ecosystems.
    Program Contact: (301) 903-3281.

6. Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)

    The objective of the EPSCoR program is to enhance the capabilities 
of EPSCoR states to conduct nationally competitive energy-related 
research and to develop science and engineering manpower to meet 
current and future needs in energy-related fields. This program 
addresses research needs across all of the Department of Energy 
research interests. Research supported by the EPSCoR program is 
concerned with the same broad research areas addressed by the Office of 
Science programs that are described above. The EPSCoR program is 
restricted to applications which originate in eighteen states (Alabama, 
Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, 
Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, 
South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming) and the commonwealth 
of Puerto Rico. It is anticipated that only a limited number of new 
competitive research grants will be awarded under this program due to 
prior commitments to ongoing EPSCoR grant projects.
    Program Contact: (301) 903-3427.

    Issued in Washington, DC on October 18, 1999.
John Rodney Clark,
Associate Director of Science for Resource Management.
[FR Doc. 99-29018 Filed 11-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P