[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 70003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32514]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Office of Science Financial Assistance Program Notice 00-06; 
Energy Biosciences

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice inviting grant applications.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Basic Energy Sciences of the Office of Science 
(SC), 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 March 8, 2000. However, earlier submissions will be gladly accepted.
    A response to timely preapplications will be communicated to the 
applicant by April 12, 2000. The deadline for receipt of formal 
applications is June 13, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Preapplications referencing Program Notice 00-06 should be 
forwarded to: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy 
Sciences, SC-17, Division of Energy Biosciences, 19901 Germantown Road, 
Germantown, MD 20874-1290, Attn: Program Notice 00-06. Fax submissions 
are acceptable (Fax Number (301) 903-1003).
    Formal applications, referencing Program Notice 00-06, must be sent 
to: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Grants and Contracts 
Division, SC-64, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290, 
ATTN: Program Notice 00-06. This address must also be used when 
submitting applications by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail or any 
commercial overnight delivery service, or when hand-carried by the 
applicant.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Pat Snyder, Division of Energy 
Biosciences, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, SC-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 2001. 
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 1999 averaged close to $105,000 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.
    The research description of the formal application must be 10 pages 
or less, exclusive of figure illustrations, and must contain an 
abstract or summary of the proposed research (to include the hypotheses 
being tested and the proposed experimental design). Attachments include 
curriculum vitae, a listing of all current and pending federal support, 
and letters of intent when collaborations are part of the proposed 
research.
    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 Science Financial Assistance 
Program. Electronic access to SC's Financial Assistance Guide is 
possible via the Internet using the following Web Site address: http://
www.sc.doe.gov/production/grants/grants.html. DOE is under no 
obligation to pay for any costs associated with the preparation or 
submission of applications if an award is not made.
    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 6, 1999.
John Rodney Clark,
Associate Director of Science for Resource Management.
[FR Doc. 99-32514 Filed 12-14-99; 8:45 am]
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