Department of Energy
Office of Science

Office of Science Financial Assistance Program Notice 99-25: Division of Nuclear Physics Outstanding Junior Investigator Program

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

ACTION: Notice inviting grant applications

SUMMARY: The Division of Nuclear Physics of the Office of Science (SC), U.S. Department of Energy, announces the initiation of an Outstanding Junior Investigator Program in nuclear physics and invites grant applications for support. Applications should be from tenure-track faculty who are currently involved in experimental or theoretical nuclear physics research, and should be submitted through a U.S. academic institution. The purpose of this program is to support the development of individual research programs of outstanding scientists early in their careers. The full range of activities currently supported by the Division of Nuclear Physics is eligible for support under this program.

DATES: To permit timely consideration of awards in fiscal year 2000, formal applications submitted in response to this notice should be received by November 16, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Complete formal applications referencing Program Notice 99-25 should be forwarded to: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Grants and Contracts Division, SC-64, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, Maryland 20874-1290, ATTN: Program Notice 99-25. The above address must also be used when submitting applications by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail, any other commercial mail delivery service, or when hand carried by the applicant. An original and seven copies of the application must be submitted. Due to the anticipated number of reviewers, it would be helpful for each applicant to submit an additional four copies of the application.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Dennis G. Kovar, Division of Nuclear Physics, SC-23 (GTN), U.S. Department of Energy, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, Maryland 20874-1290. Telephone: (301) 903-3613. Fax: (301) 903-3833. E-Mail: dennis.kovar@science.doe.gov

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is the first year of an Outstanding Junior Investigator Program in Nuclear Physics supported by the Department of Energy's Office of Science. A principal goal of this program is to identify exceptionally talented new nuclear physicists early in their careers and facilitate the development of their research programs. Eligibility for awards under this notice is restricted to non-tenured investigators in academic institutions who are conducting experimental or theoretical nuclear physics research. The program is expected to contribute importantly to the vigor of the U.S. Nuclear Physics program. Applicants should request support under this notice for the normal research project costs required to conduct the proposed research.

The DOE expects to make two to four awards in the first year to meet the objectives of the program. The actual number of awards will be determined by the number of excellent applications and the total amount of funds available for this program. It is anticipated that a total of up to $250,000 will be available for the first year funding of the program, subject to availability of appropriated funds, and that awards would be for three to five year terms. At the end of the initial term, these grants may be renewed, subject to appropriate external peer review at the time of renewal, as long as the recipient's tenure status is unchanged.

Applications will be subjected to scientific merit review (peer review) and will be evaluated against the following criteria, listed in descending order of importance as codified at 10 CFR Part 605.10 (d):
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; and
4. Reasonableness and appropriateness of the proposed budget.

General information about development and submission of applications, eligibility, limitations, evaluation and selection processes, and other policies and procedures are contained in the Application Guide for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program and 10 CFR Part 605. The latest version of SC's Application Guide is available on the world wide web at: 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.

John Rodney Clark
Associate Director of Science
for Resource Management
Office of Science

Published in the Federal Register August 25, 1999, Volume 64, Number 164, Page 46365.