Energy Research Financial Assistance Program Notice 96-13:
Research in Photochemistry

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

ACTION: Notice inviting grant applications

SUMMARY: The Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES) of the Office of Energy Research (ER), U.S. Department of Energy, hereby announces its interest in receiving grant applications in support of the Photochemistry and Radiation Sciences program, as described in the recent workshop report entitled, "Research Opportunities in Photochemical Sciences".

DATES: Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a brief preapplication. All preapplications, referencing Program Notice 96-13, should be received not later than 4:30 PM, E.D.T., April 30, 1996. A response discussing the potential program relevance of a formal application generally will be communicated to the applicant within 15 days of receipt. The deadline for receipt of the formal applications is 4:30 PM, E.D.T., May 29, 1996, in order to be accepted for merit review and to permit timely consideration for award in fiscal year 1996.

ADDRESSES: All preapplications, referencing Program Notice 96- 13, should be sent to Dr. Silvia E. Ronco, Chemical Sciences Division, ER-141, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Office of Energy Research, U.S. Department of Energy, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290.

After receiving notification from DOE concerning successful preapplications, applicants may prepare formal applications and send them to: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Research, Grants and Contracts Division, ER-64, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, Maryland 20874-1290, Attn: Program Notice 96-13. The above address for formal applications also must be used when submitting formal applications by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail, any commercial mail delivery service, or when handcarried by the applicant.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Silvia E. Ronco, Chemical Sciences Division, ER-141, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, U.S. Department of Energy, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, Maryland 20874-1290. Telephone: (301)903-6891.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A workshop entitled "Research Opportunities in Photochemical Sciences", organized by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences, was held February 5-8, 1996 in Estes Park, Colorado. The purpose of that meeting was to provide a forum to discuss and highlight the importance and relevance of basic research in various facets of photochemistry and related scientific fields to present and future technologies. There is a report available to the scientific and energy technology community, which contains a Recommendations for Future Research section via the Internet using the following E-mail address: http://www.er.doe.gov/production/bes/chm/chmhome.html. The Chemical Sciences Division interests are in the areas of Photochemistry. The Materials Sciences Division has continuing interest in photovoltaic materials and their materials chemistry.

The brief preapplication should consist of two to three pages of narrative describing the research objectives and methods of accomplishment. Telephone and FAX numbers are required parts of the preapplication, and electronic mail addresses are desirable.

It is anticipated that up to $500,000 can be made available for grant awards during FY 1996, contingent upon availability of appropriated funds. The number of awards and the range of funding will depend on the number of applications received and selected for award. Multiple-year funding of grant awards is expected and is also contingent upon availability of funds. Renewal of the award for another term will be dependent upon success factors such as publications and peer-review of the renewal application. Applications will be subjected to formal merit review and will be evaluated against the following criteria which are listed in descending order of importance as set forth in 10 CFR Part 605:

1. Scientific and/or technical merit of the project;
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.

In fiscal year 1997, it is expected that funds will be available to support research in photochemistry, subject to fiscal year 1997 appropriations. Complete information about the photochemistry program may be obtained from either Dr. Silvia E. Ronco at the above address or from Dr. Mary E. Gress at the same address or at (301)903-5827. To be considered for possible fiscal 1997 funding, potential applicants may submit applications at any time after the May 29, 1996 due date set forth in this notice. The submission of brief preapplications prior to submitting formal applications is encouraged. Information about the development, submission, and the selection process, and other policies and procedures may be found in 10 CFR Part 605, and in the Application Guide for the Office of Energy Research Financial Assistance Program. The Application Guide is available from the U.S. Department of Energy, Chemical Sciences Division, Office of Energy Research, ER-141, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290. Telephone requests may be made by calling (301)903-5820. Electronic access to ER's Financial Assistance Guide is possible via the Internet using the following E-mail address: http://www.er.doe.gov/production/grants/grants.html.

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.

John Rodney Clark
Associate Director
for Resource Management
Office of Energy Research

Published in the Federal Register April 5, 1996, Vol. 61, No. 67,
pages 15234-15235.