The Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (OFES) of the Office of Science (SC), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announces its interest in receiving cooperative agreement applications for Plasma Science Centers with a research focus in plasma science. The duration of the Center cooperative agreement will be five years, with the possibility of a one time renewal for five more years. All institutions or groups planning to submit applications for funding a new center in Fiscal Year 2009 should submit in response to this Notice. Applicants are not being asked, in any way, to fund or establish a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC).

LETTER OF INTENT DUE DATE: August 11, 2008

Applicants are requested to submit a Letter of Intent by August 11, 2008. Letters of Intent should be sent by E-mail to the following E-mail address: John.Sauter@science.doe.gov. Please include "Letter of intent for Announcement DE-PS02-08ER08-25" in the subject line.

PREAPPLICATION DUE DATE: September 1, 2008

To permit timely consideration for awards in Fiscal Year 2009, applicants are REQUIRED to submit a Preapplication by September 1, 2008. Following a peer review of the Preapplication, applicants may be invited to submit a Full Application in response to this Announcement. The Preapplication should be sent by e-mail to: John.Sauter@science.doe.gov. Please include "Preapplication for Announcement DE-PS02-08ER08-25" in the subject line.

FORMAL APPLICATION DUE DATE: February 2, 2009, 8 pm Eastern Time

Applications must be submitted using Grants.gov, the Funding Opportunity Announcement can be found using the CFDA Number, 81.049 or the Funding Opportunity Announcement number, DE-PS02-08ER08-25. Applicants must follow the instructions and use the forms provided on Grants.gov.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

Dr. Michael Crisp, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, SC-24.2
PHONE: (301) 903-4883
FAX: (301) 903-4716
E-MAIL: Michael.Crisp@science.doe.gov

Program Objectives

The development of new investigative techniques and research tools presents a window of opportunity for fundamental advances in the understanding of plasma science. Many of the issues in plasma science are sufficiently complex that significant progress requires closely interacting, critical-mass groups of scientists with a broad mix of skills and backgrounds. There is also a need to strengthen the connection between the fusion research community and the broader scientific community. The objective of this initiative is to fund one or two university-based Plasma Science Centers (PSC), which will focus on fundamental issues in plasma science. The PSC will be supported to perform plasma science research in areas of such wide scope and complexity that it would not be feasible for individual investigators or small groups to make progress. For example, understanding the dynamics of plasma turbulence and transport requires the development of appropriate physical models, computational algorithms for treating disparate space and times scales, as well as complex magnetic geometries, efficient programming on massively parallel computing platforms, and an understanding of nonlinear physics. A well coordinated collaboration of a team of scientists is more likely to have the breadth of knowledge and skills required to tackle such large and complex problems successfully. Achievement of recognition of the value of the field of plasma science by the broader scientific community is major objective of the PSC. Thus it is important that the research team that will be assembled for the PSC should promote connectivity with the broader scientific community.

Program Funding

It is anticipated that about $2,300,000 of Fiscal Year 2009 funding will be available to fund one or two Plasma Science Centers from applications received in response to this Announcement. Because future year funding is not anticipated to increase, applications should propose constant effort in future years (allowing for inflation). Future year funding will depend upon suitable progress and the availability of funds. The cost-effectiveness of the application will be considered when comparing applications with differing funding requirements.

For further submission information please see the full version of this notice, DE-PS02-08ER08-25, located at: http://www.grants.gov/

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for this program is 81.049, and the solicitation control number is ERFAP 10 CFR Part 605.

Posted on the Office of Science Grants and Contracts Web Site
June 26, 2008.