[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 18, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 46233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17658]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Assessing the National and International Standing of BER Basic 
Research

AGENCY: Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research 
Program, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Request for information.

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SUMMARY: The Biological and Environmental Research (BER) Program, as 
DOE's coordinating office for research on biological systems, 
bioenergy, environmental science, and Earth system science, is seeking 
input on technical and logistical pathways that would enhance the BER 
research portfolio in comparison to similar international research 
efforts.

DATES: Written comments and information are requested on or before 
October 31, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons may submit comments by email only. 
Comments must be sent to [email protected] with the subject line 
``BER research benchmarking''.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Tristram O. West, (301) 903-5155, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A charge was issued from the Director of 
Office of Science on October 8, 2020, to the BER Advisory Committee 
(BERAC) to assess BER's standing in relation to related research 
efforts nationally and internationally, and to consider strategies that 
would increase BER's ability to conduct world-class science in core BER 
research areas. The Director's charge letter may be found here: https://science.osti.gov/ber/berac/Reports/Current-BERAC-Charges.
    The information collected through this request, in addition to 
other informational sources, may be used by BERAC to develop strategies 
to further strengthen BER's research capabilities. The conclusions 
drawn from BERAC's effort are expected to serve as a benchmark for 
BER's standing in core research areas and provide strategies for 
improvement where appropriate.

Request for Information

    The objective of this request for information is to gather 
information on BER's standing in relation to related research efforts 
occurring nationally and internationally, and how BER might increase 
its stature in conducting world-class basic science currently supported 
by BER (https://science.osti.gov/ber/Research). Supported research 
includes Atmospheric Science; Earth and Environmental System Modeling; 
Environmental Science; Bioenergy and Bioproducts; Plant and Microbial 
Genomics; Data Analytics and Management; and Scientific User-focused 
Infrastructure (i.e., DOE User Facilities, Computational Knowledgebase 
Platforms, Community Observational and Analytical Resources). 
Information is specifically requested on the status of current 
capabilities, partnerships, funding mechanisms, and workforce 
development specific to one or more of the aforementioned research 
areas. Answers or information related, but not limited, to the 
following questions are specifically requested:
     Within the BER-supported topical research areas and 
facility capabilities, in which areas and capabilities, presently or in 
the foreseeable future, does BER lead in the international community, 
and in which areas does leadership require strengthening? In 
identifying these areas, please consider their critical mission 
relevance, recent history, the status quo, observable trends, and 
evidence-based projections.
     Are there key international partnerships that could 
strengthen BER science output and increase global visibility of BER?
     Is there a preferred optimization for organizing research, 
collaboration, and funding mechanisms among labs, universities, and 
other federal agencies to preserve and foster U.S. leadership with 
resource constraints? Are there other key efficiencies and balances 
that should be considered and modified to improve U.S. leadership in 
BER research areas?
     How can BER programs and facilities be structured and 
managed to create incentives that will attract and retain talented 
people deciding whether to pursue a scientific career, as well as mid-
career scientists considering whether to stay in the U.S.?
     What are the key opportunities for BER in attracting and 
enhancing careers in BER-supported scientific fields?
    While the questions provided above can help guide thinking on this 
topic, any input is welcome which may help DOE assess BER's 
international standing in the core research areas. The information 
provided through this request should be presented as specific 
strategies which DOE Office of Science could implement and track.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on August 11, 
2021, by Dr. J. Stephen Binkley, Acting Director, Office of Science, 
pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. The 
document with the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For 
administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of 
the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal 
Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the 
document in electronic format for publication, as an official document 
of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way 
alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the 
Federal Register.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on August 12, 2021.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2021-17658 Filed 8-17-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P