Office of Science; Office of Science Financial Assistance Program Notice 00-16; Division of Nuclear Physics Outstanding Junior Investigator Program

AGENCY:

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, invites grant applications for support under the Outstanding Junior Investigator Program in nuclear physics. The purpose of this program is to support the development of individual research programs of outstanding scientists early in their careers. 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.

DATES:

To permit timely consideration of awards in fiscal year 2001, formal applications submitted in response to this notice should be received by November 15, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Applications referencing Program Notice 00-16 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 00-16. The above address must 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. Although it is not required, it would be helpful for each applicant to submit twelve copies of their application, due to the anticipated number of reviewers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Dennis G. Kovar, Director, Division of Nuclear Physics, SC-23, 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 second year of an Outstanding Junior Investigator Program in Nuclear Physics. A principal goal of this program is to identify exceptionally talented nuclear physicists early in their careers and to facilitate the development of their research programs. The proposed research is expected to make an important contribution to the vigor of the U.S. Nuclear Physics program.

The DOE expects to make several awards in FY 2001; five awards were made in FY 2000. 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 in FY 2001 for funding 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;

4. Reasonableness and appropriateness of the proposed budget.

Additional criteria which will be considered: future promise of the investigator, and the resources and interest of the sponsoring institution.

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.sc.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.