DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY For more information about the Office of Science, go to Office of Science |
To DOE National Laboratories LAB 05-06 Opportunities in Basic Plasma Science
The Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (OFES) of the Office of Science (SC), U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) hereby announces its interest in receiving proposals for work in Basic Plasma
Science. The OFES Basic Plasma Science program has been a response to the recommendations
of a 1995 National Research Council (NRC) report entitled "Plasma Science". A related
program that also responds to the recommendations of this NRC report is the NSF/DOE
Partnership in Basic Plasma Science and Engineering. The current announcement is intended to
continue opportunities for researchers at the DOE National Laboratories to explore fundamental
issues in plasma science. Research primarily directed at fusion topics is not eligible for this
funding.
DATES: To permit timely consideration for awards in Fiscal Year 2006, researchers are
requested to submit a letter-of-intent by January 31, 2005 which includes the title of the
proposal, the name of the principal investigator(s), the requested funding and a one-page
abstract. These letters-of-intent will be used to organize and expedite review processes. Failure
to submit a letter-of-intent will not negatively prejudice a responsive formal proposal submitted
in a timely manner. Electronic submissions of letters-of-intent are preferred.
Formal proposals submitted in response to this program announcement must be received no later
than 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time, February 28, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Letters-of-intent referencing Program Announcement LAB 05-06 should be
submitted via E-mail at the following E-mail address: john.sauter@science.doe.gov. Please
include "Letter-of-Intent for LAB 05-06" in the subject line.
The completed formal proposals referencing Program Announcement LAB 05-06 should consist
of one signed original and one CD containing the proposal in PDF format.
If submitting by U.S. Postal Service First Class Mail or Priority Mail, one signed original and
one CD should be forwarded to: Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, SC-55/Germantown
Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC
20585-1290. ATTN: Program Announcement LAB 05-06.
If submitting by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail, any commercial mail delivery service, or
when hand carried by the researcher, the following address should be used: Office of Fusion
Energy Sciences, SC-55, Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy, 19901 Germantown
Road, Germantown, Maryland 20874-1290, ATTN: Program Announcement LAB 05-06.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael D. Crisp, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, Research Division, SC-55, 19901 Germantown Road,
Germantown, MD 20874-1290; Telephone: (301) 903-4883, or by Internet address,
Michael.Crisp@science.doe.gov.
Program Funding
Approximately $1,500,000 of Fiscal Year 2006 funding will be available to renew or start new
projects from proposals received in response to this Announcement. The number of awards and
range of funding will depend on the number of proposals received and selected for award. Since
future year funding is not anticipated to increase, proposals should propose constant level of
effort (allowing for inflation). Future year funding will depend upon suitable progress and the
availability of funds. The cost-effectiveness of the proposal will be considered when comparing
proposals with differing funding requirements
In cases where the work assumes the availability of a facility, experimental apparatus or base
group to perform the work, the funding source(s) for the base must be identified in the proposal.
Researchers are encouraged to collaborate with researchers in other institutions, such as other
DOE National Laboratories, universities, industry, non-profit organizations and Federally
Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). In the case of collaborative proposals
submitted from different institutions which are directed at a single research activity, each
proposal must have a distinct scope of work and a qualified principal investigator who is
responsible for the research effort being performed at his or her institution. Further information
on preparation of collaborative proposals may be accessed via the Internet at
http://www.sc.doe.gov/grants/Colab.html.
PROGRAM SPECIFIC SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Proposals are desired for scientific research in basic plasma science. Proposed research in basic
plasma science should contribute to increased fundamental understanding of plasmas.
Discussions of important areas of basic plasma science research may be found in the National
Council Report "Plasma Science: from Fundamental Research to Technological Applications"
National Academy Press, 1995. Primary interest is in experimental programs, although it is
recognized that part of a coordinated proposal may include theory and modeling in support of
experiments. It is not anticipated that stand-alone theory proposals will be supported. Proposals
that are primarily directed toward fusion topics will not be considered for funding under this
announcement. Approximately $1,500,000 of FY 2006 funding, depending on the quality of the
proposals, is targeted for proposals received in this area with a goal of funding 3-5 proposals.
The instructions and format described below should be followed. Reference Program
Announcement LAB 05-06 on all submissions and inquiries about this program.
GUIDE FOR PREPARATION OF SCIENTIFIC/TECHNICAL PROPOSALS TO BE SUBMITTED BY NATIONAL LABORATORIES Proposals from National Laboratories submitted to the Office of Science (SC) as a result of this program announcement will follow the Department of Energy Field Work Proposal process with additional information requested to allow for scientific/technical merit review. The following guidelines for content and format are intended to facilitate an understanding of the requirements necessary for SC to conduct a merit review of a proposal. Please follow the guidelines carefully, as deviations could be cause for declination of a proposal without merit review. 1. Evaluation Criteria Proposals will be subjected to formal merit review (peer review) and will be evaluated against the following criteria which are listed in descending order of importance:
Appropriateness of the proposed method or approach Competency of the personnel and adequacy of the proposed resources Reasonableness and appropriateness of the proposed budget 2. Summary of Proposal Contents
Proposal Cover Page Table of Contents Abstract Narrative Literature Cited Budget and Budget Explanation Other support of investigators Biographical Sketches Description of facilities and resources Appendix An original and one CD of the formal proposal/FWP must be submitted. 3. Detailed Contents of the Proposal Proposals must be readily legible, when photocopied, and must conform to the following three requirements: the height of the letters must be no smaller than 10 point with at least 2 points of spacing between lines (leading); the type density must average no more than 17 characters per inch; the margins must be at least one-half inch on all sides. Figures, charts, tables, figure legends, etc., may include type smaller than these requirements so long as they are still fully legible. 3.1 Field Work Proposal Format (Reference DOE Order 5700.7C) (DOE ONLY) The Field Work Proposal (FWP) is to be prepared and submitted consistent with policies of the investigator's laboratory and the local DOE Operations Office. Additional information is also requested to allow for scientific/technical merit review. Laboratories may submit proposals directly to the SC Program office, the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences. A copy should also be provided to the appropriate DOE operations office. 3.2 Proposal Cover Page The following proposal cover page information may be placed on plain paper. No form is required.
SC Program announcement title Name of laboratory Name of principal investigator (PI) Position title of PI Mailing address of PI Telephone of PI Fax number of PI Electronic mail address of PI Name of official signing for laboratory* Title of official Fax number of official Telephone of official Electronic mail address of official Requested funding for each year; total request Use of human subjects in proposed project:
Signature of official, date of signature* *The signature certifies that personnel and facilities are available as stated in the proposal, if the project is funded. 3.3 Table of Contents Provide the initial page number for each of the sections of the proposal. Number pages consecutively at the bottom of each page throughout the proposal. Start each major section at the top of a new page. Do not use unnumbered pages and do not use suffixes with page numbers, such as 5a, 5b. 3.4 Abstract Provide an abstract of no more than 250 words. Give the broad, long-term objectives and what the specific research proposed is intended to accomplish. State the hypotheses to be tested. Indicate how the proposed research addresses the SC scientific/technical area specifically described in this announcement. 3.5 Narrative The narrative comprises the research plan for the project and is limited to 25 pages. It should contain the following subsections: Background and Significance: Briefly sketch the background leading to the present proposal, critically evaluate existing knowledge, and specifically identify the gaps which the project is intended to fill. State concisely the importance of the research described in the proposal. Explain the relevance of the project to the research needs identified by the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences. Include references to relevant published literature, both to work of the investigators and to work done by other researchers. Preliminary Studies: Use this section to provide an account of any preliminary studies that may be pertinent to the proposal. Include any other information that will help to establish the experience and competence of the investigators to pursue the proposed project. References to appropriate publications and manuscripts submitted or accepted for publication may be included. Research Design and Methods: Describe the research design and the procedures to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project. Describe new techniques and methodologies and explain the advantages over existing techniques and methodologies. As part of this section, provide a tentative sequence or timetable for the project. Subcontract or Consortium Arrangements: If any portion of the project described under "Research Design and Methods" is to be done in collaboration with another institution, provide information on the institution and why it is to do the specific component of the project. Further information on any such arrangements is to be given in the sections "Budget and Budget Explanation", "Biographical Sketches", and "Description of Facilities and Resources". 3.6 Literature Cited List all references cited in the narrative. Limit citations to current literature relevant to the proposed research. Information about each reference should be sufficient for it to be located by a reviewer of the proposal. 3.7 Budget and Budget Explanation A detailed budget is required for the entire project period, which normally will be three years, and for each fiscal year. It is preferred that DOE's budget page, Form 4620.1 be used for providing budget information*. Modifications of categories are permissible to comply with institutional practices, for example with regard to overhead costs. A written justification of each budget item is to follow the budget pages. For personnel this should take the form of a one-sentence statement of the role of the person in the project. Provide a detailed justification of the need for each item of permanent equipment. Explain each of the other direct costs in sufficient detail for reviewers to be able to judge the appropriateness of the amount requested. Further instructions regarding the budget are given in section 4 of this guide. * Form 4620.1 is available at web site: http://www.sc.doe.gov/grants/forms-E.html 3.8 Other Support of Investigators Other support is defined as all financial resources, whether Federal, non-Federal, commercial or institutional, available in direct support of an individual's research endeavors. Information on active and pending other support is required for all senior personnel, including investigators at collaborating institutions to be funded by a subcontract. For each item of other support, give the organization or agency, inclusive dates of the project or proposed project, annual funding, and level of effort devoted to the project. 3.9 Biographical Sketches This information is required for senior personnel at the laboratory submitting the proposal and at all subcontracting institutions. The biographical sketch is limited to a maximum of two pages for each investigator. 3.10 Description of Facilities and Resources Describe briefly the facilities to be used for the conduct of the proposed research. Indicate the performance sites and describe pertinent capabilities, including support facilities (such as machine shops) that will be used during the project. List the most important equipment items already available for the project and their pertinent capabilities. Include this information for each subcontracting institution, if any. 3.11 Appendix Include collated sets of all appendix materials with each copy of the proposal. Do not use the appendix to circumvent the page limitations of the proposal. Information should be included that may not be easily accessible to a reviewer. Reviewers are not required to consider information in the Appendix, only that in the body of the proposal. Reviewers may not have time to read extensive appendix materials with the same care as they will read the proposal proper. The appendix may contain the following items: up to five publications, manuscripts (accepted for publication), abstracts, patents, or other printed materials directly relevant to this project, but not generally available to the scientific community; and letters from investigators at other institutions stating their agreement to participate in the project (do not include letters of endorsement of the project).
4. Detailed Instructions for the Budget 4.1 Salaries and Wages List the names of the principal investigator and other key personnel and the estimated number of person-months for which DOE funding is requested. Researchers should list the number of postdoctoral associates and other professional positions included in the proposal and indicate the number of full-time-equivalent (FTE) person-months and rate of pay (hourly, monthly or annually). For graduate and undergraduate students and all other personnel categories such as secretarial, clerical, technical, etc., show the total number of people needed in each job title and total salaries needed. Salaries requested must be consistent with the institution's regular practices. The budget explanation should define concisely the role of each position in the overall project. 4.2 Equipment DOE defines equipment as "an item of tangible personal property that has a useful life of more than two years and an acquisition cost of $5000 or more." Special purpose equipment means equipment which is used only for research, scientific or other technical activities. Items of needed equipment should be individually listed by description and estimated cost, including tax, and adequately justified. Allowable items ordinarily will be limited to scientific equipment that is not already available for the conduct of the work. General purpose office equipment normally will not be considered eligible for support. 4.3 Domestic Travel The type and extent of travel and its relation to the research should be specified. Funds may be requested for attendance at meetings and conferences, other travel associated with the work and subsistence. In order to qualify for support, attendance at meetings or conferences must enhance the investigator's capability to perform the research, plan extensions of it, or disseminate its results. Consultant's travel costs also may be requested. 4.4 Foreign Travel Foreign travel is any travel outside Canada and the United States and its territories and possessions. Foreign travel may be approved only if it is directly related to project objectives. 4.5 Other Direct Costs The budget should itemize other anticipated direct costs not included under the headings above, including materials and supplies, publication costs, computer services, and consultant services (which are discussed below). Other examples are: aircraft rental, space rental at research establishments away from the institution, minor building alterations, service charges, and fabrication of equipment or systems not available off-the-shelf. Reference books and periodicals may be charged to the project only if they are specifically related to the research. a. Materials and Supplies The budget should indicate in general terms the type of required expendable materials and supplies with their estimated costs. The breakdown should be more detailed when the cost is substantial. b. Publication Costs/Page Charges The budget may request funds for the costs of preparing and publishing the results of research, including costs of reports, reprints page charges, or other journal costs (except costs for prior or early publication), and necessary illustrations. c. Consultant Services Anticipated consultant services should be justified and information furnished on each individual's expertise, primary organizational affiliation, daily compensation rate and number of days expected service. Consultant's travel costs should be listed separately under travel in the budget. d. Computer Services The cost of computer services, including computer-based retrieval of scientific and technical information, may be requested. A justification based on the established computer service rates should be included. e. Subcontracts Subcontracts should be listed so that they can be properly evaluated. There should be an anticipated cost and an explanation of that cost for each subcontract. The total amount of each subcontract should also appear as a budget item. 4.6 Indirect Costs Explain the basis for each overhead and indirect cost. Include the current rates.
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