[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 14 (Thursday, January 22, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3126-3129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1372]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Office of Science Financial Assistance Program Notice DE-FG01-
04ER04-10; Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice inviting grant applications.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER) of 
the Office of Science (SC), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), hereby 
announces its interest in receiving applications for research grants in 
experimental and theoretical studies of the effects of clouds on the 
atmospheric radiation balance in conjunction with the Atmospheric 
Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program as part of the U.S. Global Climate 
Change Science Program (USCCSP). This notice requests new applications 
and renewal applications of grants currently funded by DOE under 
previous ARM Program notices that are relevant to the terms of 
reference for this announcement and responsive to the particular needs 
defined below.

DATES: Applicants are encouraged (but not required) to submit a brief 
preapplication for programmatic review. The deadline for submission of 
preapplications is March 15, 2004. Early submission of preapplications 
is encouraged to allow time for meaningful responses.
    Formal applications submitted in response to this notice must be 
received by 4:30 p.m., E.D.T., April 9, 2004, to be accepted for merit 
review and to permit timely consideration for award in Fiscal Year 
2005. Awards are expected to begin on or about November 1, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Preapplications referencing Program Notice DE-FG01-04ER04-
10, may be sent to the program contact, Dr. Wanda Ferrell, via 
electronic mail at: [email protected] or by U.S. Postal 
Service Mail at: Dr. Wanda Ferrell, Office of Biological and 
Environmental Research, Climate Change Research Division, SC-74/
Germantown Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., 
SW., Washington, DC 20585-1290. Electronic mail is recommended to speed 
up response to preapplications.
    Formal applications referencing Program Notice DE-FG01-04ER04-10, 
must be sent electronically by an authorized institutional business 
official through DOE's Industry Interactive Procurement System (IIPS) 
at: http://e-center.doe.gov/. IIPS provides for the posting of 
solicitations and receipt of applications in a paperless environment

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via the Internet. In order to submit applications through IIPS, your 
business official will need to register at the IIPS website. IIPS 
offers the option of using multiple files, please limit submissions to 
one volume and one file if possible, with a maximum of no more than 
four PDF files. The Office of Science will include attachments as part 
of this notice that provide the appropriate forms in PDF fillable 
format that are to be submitted through IIPS. Color images should be 
submitted in IIPS as a separate file in PDF format and identified as 
such. These images should be kept to a minimum due to the limitations 
of reproducing them. They should be numbered and referred to in the 
body of the technical scientific grant application as Color image 1, 
Color image 2, etc. Questions regarding the operation of IIPS may be e-
mailed to the IIPS Help Desk at: [email protected], or you may call 
the help desk at: (800) 683-0751. Further information on the use of 
IIPS by the Office of Science is available at: http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/grants/grants.html.
    If you are unable to submit an application through IIPS, please 
contact the Grants and Contracts Division, Office of Science at: (301) 
903-5212 or (301) 903-3604, in order to gain assistance for submission 
through IIPS or to receive special approval and instructions on how to 
submit printed applications.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Wanda Ferrell, Office of 
Biological and Environmental Research, Climate Change Research 
Division, SC-74, Germantown Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20585-1290, telephone (301) 903-
0043, fax (301) 903-8519, Internet e-mail address: 
[email protected]. Program information is available on: 
http://www.science.doe.gov/ober/CCRD/arm.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program. Two major 
scientific objectives of the Climate Change Research Division (CCRD) 
are: (1) To improve the performance of predictive models of the Earth's 
climate, and (2) to thereby make more accurate predictions of the 
response of the climate system to increasing concentrations of 
greenhouse gases. The purpose of the ARM Program is to improve the 
treatment of radiation and clouds in the General Circulation Models 
(GCMs) used to predict future climate. This program is one component of 
the U.S. Climate Change Science Program that has the goal to improve 
the capability to accurately simulate and predict climate and climate 
change. The major component of the ARM Program involves gathering data 
for the development and testing of models of the atmospheric radiation 
transfer, properties of clouds, and the full life cycle of clouds with 
the ultimate goal of developing cloud system resolving models (CSRM) 
that directly and accurately simulate cloud-scale physical processes 
and that can be incorporated into the Multi-Scale Modeling Framework 
(MMF), also referred to as super parameterization. The ARM program has 
established sites in three climatic regimes where cloud and radiation 
data are collected. The first site, Southern Great Plains (SGP), began 
operation in calendar year 1992, with instruments spread over an area 
of approximately 60,000 sq. km., centered on Lamont, Oklahoma. The SGP 
was chosen as a field measurement site for several reasons including 
its relatively homogenous geography, wide variability of climate, cloud 
type, and surface flux properties, and large seasonal variation in 
temperature and specific humidity. The Tropical Western Pacific (TWP) 
site is the area roughly between 10 [deg]N to 10 [deg]S of the equator 
from Indonesia to near Christmas Island. The TWP site consists of 
stations at Darwin, Australia, and on the islands of Manus, Papua, New 
Guinea and the Republic of Nauru, respectively. This region was 
selected as an ARM site because it plays a large role in the 
interannual variability observed in the global climate system. The 
third site, the North Slope of Alaska (NSA), is located at Barrow, 
Alaska, with a secondary, inland site near Atqasuk. The NSA site was 
selected as an ARM site because it provides data about cloud and 
radiative processes at high latitudes, and by extension, about cold and 
dry regions of the atmosphere in general. Construction of an ARM Mobile 
Facility (AMF) was begun in late 2003 with the first deployment 
expected in late 2004. The AMF has been designed to address science 
questions beyond those investigated at the current fixed sites. The AMF 
will deploy instrumentation and data systems similar to those at the 
fixed ARM sites in NSA and TWP. The AMF will be deployed to sites 
around the world in various climatic regimes and sites of opportunity 
for durations of 6 to 18 months to study the effects of clouds and 
other atmospheric conditions and properties on radiation. The ARM 
sites, both mobile and fixed, have been designated as a user facility, 
the ARM Climate Research Facility (ACRF). Thus, AMF deployments and 
campaigns at the fixed ARM sites will be determined by a review by the 
ACRF Science Review Board.

Request for Grant Applications

    This notice requests applications for grants, both new and renewal 
that address the broad ARM goal of improving the representation of 
cloud and radiation processes in climate models. The research areas of 
interest include the development of algorithms for retrieving the 
required measurements, studies to improve the understanding of cloud 
and radiation physical processes, the translation of process study 
results into process models and parameterizations, and the 
incorporation of the submodels into climate models. ARM data consist of 
time series of vertical profiles of certain observables while 
parameterizations are geared to produce statistical cloud and radiation 
properties on the scale of several hundred kilometers. Since the format 
is not amenable to modelers, research is also needed to develop tools 
and methodologies for making ARM data more useful for the development 
and testing of submodels.
    Specific areas of interest to the ARM program include, but are not 
limited to:
    [sbull] Developing new techniques to retrieve the properties of ice 
clouds and mixed-phase clouds from ARM data.
    [sbull] Conducting analyses for improving our understanding of 
cloud and radiation processes including of the 3D cloud-radiation 
process at scales from the local atmospheric column to the GCM grid 
square and the relationship between atmospheric radiation and the life-
cycle of ice clouds and mixed-phase clouds.
    [sbull] Developing and testing new cloud and radiation submodels 
for global climate models.
    [sbull] Incorporating new cloud and radiation submodels into global 
climate models and demonstrating the improved performance of the 
models.
    [sbull] Developing and applying methodologies to use ARM data more 
effectively in atmospheric models, both at the cloud resolving model 
scale and the global climate model scale.
    [sbull] Quantifying the effects of aerosols on cloud properties and 
the resulting radiation field, using some combination of ARM 
observations and physical models.
    Applications are especially encouraged that utilize ARM generated 
data in the above activities.
    All applications submitted in response to this Notice must 
explicitly state how the proposed research will

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support accomplishment of the BER Climate Change Research Division's 
(CCRD's) Long Term Measure of Scientific Advancement to deliver 
improved data and models for policymakers to determine acceptable 
levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Submitted proposals that 
do not contain this information will be returned without review.
    Applications for research to develop new techniques to retrieve the 
properties of ice clouds and mixed-phase clouds using ARM data should 
target their research on methods for deriving long-term records of 
cloud microphysical and macrophysical properties at multiple locations. 
The improved retrieval algorithms provide bulk microphysical estimates 
for clouds at all ARM fixed sites and are expected to include 
uncertainty estimates.
    Applications for cloud and radiation process analyses should 
propose studies that elucidate radiative transfer in cloudy 
atmospheres, including the overlap problem of stratiform cloud layers. 
These studies may include, but are not limited to, 3-D radiative 
transfer, representations of cloud overlap, mixed phase clouds, cloud 
life cycles, feedback processes (especially in the Arctic), and other 
processes important for clouds, such as convection and turbulence and 
their effects on radiative transfer. The emphasis on the Arctic 
feedback is to test the hypothesis that links large climate feedbacks 
with surface and tropospheric temperatures, surface albedo, cloud 
cover, deep ocean water production (the global thermohaline ocean 
circulation pump), and the polar atmospheric heat sink.
    Applications for research to develop and test new cloud and 
radiation process models should focus on investigating the validity of 
assumptions that are associated with such models and how well the 
ensemble of cloud and radiation sub models simulate clouds and their 
effect on radiation fields in the climate models.
    Applications requesting funds to study incorporation of cloud and 
radiation parameterizations into global climate models and 
demonstrating the improved performance of the models are expected to 
provide a clear plan describing the method to be used to quantify the 
model improvement. Applicants are strongly encouraged to utilize the 
tools that have been developed for this purpose in the Climate Change 
Prediction Program--ARM Parameterization Testbed (CAPT) (http://www-pcmdi.llnl.gov/capt/) effort at DOE's Program for Climate Model 
Diagnosis and Intercomparison (PCMDI).
    Applications for research to develop and apply methodologies to use 
ARM data more effectively in atmospheric models should focus on 
converting ARM data that usually consist of time series of vertical 
profiles of certain observables into a form that is of improved utility 
by climate modelers. This research area also includes techniques for 
converting model output to a form that is equivalent ARM measurements, 
thus, enabling the direct comparison of model-produced cloud properties 
with ARM observations.
    Applications for research to quantify the effect of aerosols on the 
radiation field should focus on both the indirect and direct role of 
aerosols on radiative transfer and cloud properties. Specifically the 
research should relate observations of radiative fluxes and radiances 
to the atmospheric composition and use these relations to develop and 
test parameterizations and/or process models to accurately predict the 
atmospheric radiative properties. Note, that the DOE Atmospheric 
Science Program (ASP) is being reconfigured in Fiscal Year 2004, to 
focus on aerosol radiative forcing with new research to be funded early 
in Fiscal Year 2005, and will support aerosol research on aerosol 
processes and resulting properties that influence radiation fields. A 
joint ARM-ASP working group will be formed to foster and facilitate 
collaborations between the two programs.
    Applications that require a special field campaign, which has not 
already been planned and approved by the ARM Program Manager, will not 
be accepted for consideration.
    To ensure that the program meets the broadest needs of the research 
community and the specific needs of the DOE CCRD, successful applicants 
are expected to participate as ARM Science Team members in the 
appropriate working group(s) relevant to their efforts. Costs for 
participation in ARM Science Team meetings and subcommittee meetings 
should be based on two trips of 1 week each to Washington, DC, and two 
trips of 3 days each to Chicago, Illinois.

Program Funding

    It is anticipated that approximately $3 million will be available 
for awards in Fiscal Year 2005, contingent upon the availability of 
appropriated funds. Multiple-year funding of awards is expected, with 
out-year funding also contingent upon the availability of appropriated 
funds, progress of the research, and programmatic needs. The allocation 
of funds within the research areas will depend upon the number and 
quality of applications received. Awards are expected to begin on or 
about November 1, 2004. Equal consideration will be given to renewal 
and new applications. DOE is under no obligation to pay for any costs 
associated with the preparation or submission of applications if an 
award is not made.

Collaboration

    Applicants are strongly encouraged to collaborate with researchers 
in other institutions, such as: universities, industry, non-profit 
organizations, federal laboratories and Federally Funded Research and 
Development Centers (FFRDCs), including the DOE National Laboratories, 
where appropriate, and to include cost sharing wherever feasible. 
Additional information on collaboration is available in the Application 
Guide for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program that is 
available via the World Wide Web at: http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/grants/Colab.html.

Preapplications

    Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a brief 
preapplication that consists of two to three pages of narrative 
describing the research objectives and methods of accomplishment. These 
will be reviewed relative to the scope and research needs of the ARM 
Program. Principal Investigator (PI) address, telephone number, fax 
number and e-mail address are required parts of the preapplication. A 
response to each preapplication discussing the potential program 
relevance of research that would be proposed in a formal application 
generally will be communicated within 15 days of receipt. Use of e-mail 
for this communication will decrease the possibility of a delay in 
responses to the preapplication. The deadline for the submission of 
preapplications is March 15, 2004. Applicants should allow sufficient 
time so that the formal application deadline is met. SC's 
preapplication policy can be found on SC's Grants and Contracts Web 
site at: http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/grants/preapp.html. Please 
contact Dr. Wanda Ferrell ([email protected]).

Merit Review

    Applications will be subjected to formal merit review (peer review) 
and will be evaluated against the following evaluation criteria which 
are listed in descending order of importance codified at 10 CFR 
605.10(d):
    1. Scientific and/or Technical Merit of the Project;

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    2. Appropriateness of the Proposed Method or Approach;
    3. Competency of Applicant's Personnel and Adequacy of Proposed 
Resources;
    4. Reasonableness and Appropriateness of the Proposed Budget.
    The evaluation process will include program policy factors such as 
the relevance of the proposed research to the terms of the announcement 
and the agency's programmatic needs. Note, external peer reviewers are 
selected with regard to both their scientific expertise and the absence 
of conflict-of-interest issues. Both Federal and non-Federal reviewers 
will often be used, and submission of an application constitutes 
agreement that this is acceptable to the investigator(s) and the 
submitting institution.

The Application

    Information about the development and submission of applications, 
eligibility, limitations, evaluation, selection process, and other 
policies and procedures may be found in the Application Guide for the 
Office of Science Financial Assistance Program and 10 CFR Part 605. 
Electronic access to SC's Financial Assistance Application Guide and 
required forms is made available via the World Wide Web: http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/grants/grants.html.
    The technical portion of the application should not exceed twenty-
five double-spaced pages and should include detailed budgets for each 
year of support requested. Applicants are asked to use the following 
ordered format:
    [sbull] Face Page (DOE F 4650.2 (10-91)) In block 15, also provide 
the PI's phone number, fax number and e-mail address.
    [sbull] Project Abstract Page; single page only, should contain 
title, PI name, and abstract text
    [sbull] Budget pages for each year and a budget summary of project 
period (using DOE F 4620.1)
    [sbull] Budget Explanation
    [sbull] Project Description:
    [sbull] Long Term Measure: All applications submitted in response 
to this Notice must explicitly state how the proposed research will 
support accomplishment of the BER Climate Change Research Division's 
(CCRD's) Long Term Measure of Scientific Advancement to deliver 
improved data and models for policy makers to determine acceptable 
levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Submitted proposals that 
do not contain this information will be returned without review.
    [sbull] Literature Cited
    [sbull] Collaborative Arrangements (if applicable)
    [sbull] Facilities and Resources
    [sbull] Biographical Sketches should be submitted in a form similar 
to that of NIH or NSF (two to three pages).
    [sbull] Current and Pending Support
    [sbull] Letters of Collaboration (if applicable)
    [sbull] Renewal applications should include a special section 
entitled ``Accomplishments Under Previous Support.'' (See http://www.science.doe.gov/production/grants/App.html.) This section shall 
address the following:
    (a) continued relevance of their work to the goals of the ARM 
Program; and
    (b) the contribution of work conducted under previous support to 
the goals of the ARM Program, including a listing of publications and 
presentations.
    For researchers who do not have access to the World Wide Web (WWW), 
please contact Karen Carlson, Office of Biological and Environmental 
Research, Climate Change Research Division, SC-74/Germantown Building, 
U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 
20585-1290, phone: (301) 903-3338, fax: (301) 903-8519, e-mail: 
[email protected]; for hard copies of background material 
mentioned in this solicitation.

    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, January 14, 2004.
John A. Alleva,
Director, Grants and Contracts Division, Office of Science.
[FR Doc. 04-1372 Filed 1-21-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P