[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]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-U