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81.057 UNIVERSITY COAL RESEARCH

FEDERAL AGENCY
OFFICE OF FOSSIL ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

AUTHORIZATION
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, Public Law 83-703; Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, Public Law 93-438; Research and Marketing Act of 1946, as amended, Public Law 85-934; Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93- 577; Department of Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations for 1980, Public Law 96-126; Department of Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations for 2004, Public Law 108-108.

OBJECTIVES
To improve scientific and technical understanding of the chemistry and physics involved in the conversion and utilization of coal. The primary objective is to fund long-term, high-risk, meritorious fundamental research for the advancement of science related to all Fossil Energy's coal-related programs. Through an annual solicitation, applications are sought with the potential to overcome barriers in technology development and accelerate the identification of solutions for energy and environmental problems. Solicited research should contemplate nearly total carbon closure by the year 2015 along with substantial increases in energy conversion efficiency for utilizing our nation's abundant coal resources.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE
Project Grants.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS
Work must be related to program objectives.

Applicant Eligibility
U.S. colleges and universities may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility
U.S. colleges and universities will benefit. The principal investigator must be a teaching professor and the grant must support at least one student enrolled at the college/university.

Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21 for institutions of higher education. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Preapplication Coordination
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure
This program is subject to the provisions of 10 CFR 600. Proposals should be submitted through http://www.grants.gov.

Award Procedure
Proposals reviewed by qualified experts in accordance with the factors listed in 10 CFR Chapter II, Part 600 with specific emphasis on the scientific and technical merit of the proposed research and the factors listed in the formal solicitation for proposals.

Deadlines
Deadlines are stated in solicitations issued annually. Currently, solicitations are issued between April and July with proposals due 6 weeks later. Interested parties should check the NETL Webpage at http://www.netl.doe.gov or www.grants.gov for announcements on solicitation release.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 90 to 180 days.

Appeals
None.

Renewals
None.

Formula and Matching Requirements
Limited university/industrial collaboration is encouraged but not required for applications submitted by one or two institutions. For larger size grants that require industrial participation a minimum of 25% cost sharing is required in these University/Industry partnership applications. Details are described in the solicitation. This program has no statutory formula.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Varies, but it is no longer than 36 months. Usually funded by the Electronic Transfer System.

Reports
Reports are currently required on a quarterly basis on progress and expenditures.

Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 110, in conjunction with OMB Circular No. A-21, "Cost Principles for Education Institutions".

Records
Retention of records will be required pursuant to guidelines set forth in 10 CFR 600.

Account Identification
89-0213-0-1-271.

Obligations
(Grants) FY 07 $2,755,000; FY 08 $2,376,000; and FY 09 est $2,413,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Funding varies; however, projected fund in the future could range from $200,000 to $600,000.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In fiscal year 2008, eight applications were received and two awards were made.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE
A formal competitive solicitation for proposals was issued in April, 2008 for the fiscal year 2009 program.

Regional or Local Office
Project Office - National Energy Technology Laboratory, P.O. Box 10940, Pittsburgh, PA 15236. Contact: Ms. Paula Flenory, Telephone (412) 386-4781.

Headquarters Office
Office of Advanced Research, Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy, Washington, DC 20585. Contact: Fred Glaser. Telephone: (301) 903-2786.

Web Site Address
http://www.netl.doe.gov/technologies/coalpower/advresearch/

RELATED PROGRAMS
81.089, Fossil Energy Research and Development.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS
In 2008, within the board area of Enabling Advanced Modeling and Simulation for Fuel-Flexible Combustors, projects were awarded in two the subtopic areas that follows: 1) Quantify Current Prediction Capability for Flashback and Lean Blowout, and Identify The Sensitivity to Physical Sub-Models and 2) Conduct Numeric Investigations of Boundary Condition Effects On CFD Simulations of Thermo-Acoustic Instabilities.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS
Emphasis is on the scientific and technical merit of the proposed research and the factors listed as generic goals in the formal solicitation for proposals.


General Services Administration
Office of Chief Acquisition Officer
Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR)