AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE)/Office of Science (OS)/Office of Fusion Energy Research (OFER)

PROGRAM: Plasma Science Centers

OBJECTIVES: This program will provide funding to support one or two university-based Plasma Science Centers (PSC), which will focus on fundamental issues in plasma science. The PSC will perform plasma science research in areas of wide scope and complexity, in which it would not be feasible for individual investigators or small groups to make progress. For example, understanding the dynamics of plasma turbulence and transport requires the development of appropriate physical models, computational algorithms for treating disparate space and times scales, as well as complex magnetic geometries, efficient programming on massively parallel computing platforms, and an understanding of nonlinear physics. A well coordinated collaboration of a team of scientists is more likely to have the breadth of knowledge and skills required to tackle such large and complex problems successfully. Achievement of recognition of the value of the field of plasma science by the broader scientific community is a major objective of the PSC. Thus it is important that the research team that will be assembled for the PSC should promote connectivity with the broader scientific community. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, Low Temperature Plasma Science, Plasma Materials Interactions, Laboratory Astrophysics and Basic Plasma Science. The area of High Energy Density Laboratory Plasmas (HEDLP) will be considered in a separate competition.

Proposals should discuss effective ways in which education and training are integrated within their research programs. Centers should be expected to sponsor multidisciplinary workshops and summer schools that will bring together students and researchers from various fields and institutions to focus on basic plasma science. The workshops should also serve to communicate the advances and challenges of fusion science to the broader scientific community.

ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS: Applications are sought from academic institutions and groups, within the United States that have research and educational programs in plasma science. The Center is expected, and encouraged, to participate in collaborations with other research institutions.

DEADLINES:
Letter of Intent (optional): August 11, 2008
B.U. Internal Deadline: August 18, 2008
Preapplication (required): September 1, 2008, 4:30pm
Full Application (by invitation only): February 2, 2009

FUNDING INFORMATION: DOE anticipates making available approximately $2,300,000 to fund one or two Plasma Science Centers through cooperative agreements. The host institution is required to provide at least 15 percent matching funds for the Center.

AGENCY CONTACT:
Dr. Michael Crisp
Office of Fusion Energy Sciences
SC-24/Germantown Building
U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20585-1290
telephone: (301) 903-4883
fax: (301) 903-4716
e-mail: Michael.Crisp@science.doe.gov
web: https://e-center.doe.gov/iips/faopor.nsf/UNID/49966C39C558F52E85257473006D0D91?OpenDocument

INTERNAL REVIEW PROCESS: An internal deadline has been established to coordinate institutional cost-sharing commitments for this program. Principal Investigators (PIs) interested in submitting a proposal should forward a memorandum to their Associate Dean by August 18, 2008.  In the memorandum, (1) briefly describe the proposed project, (2) list key participating faculty, (3) itemize all cost-sharing commitments being requested from the University, within the context of a fully developed project budget, and (4) cite any program features that should make it particularly competitive for DOE funding. The memorandum should be countersigned by the relevant department chair/center director to indicate endorsement of the project. After the Dean's assessment, if a commitment of Provost funds is required, the memorandum will be forwarded to Associate Provost Joan Kirkendall for review and then to the Provost’s Office for authorization. PIs will then be advised of authorized institutional cost-sharing commitments in time to complete the project budget and process their proposal for final review. PIs are encouraged to consult with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) for assistance with the preparation of the project budget.

REMARKS: Applications must be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov system. Instructions and forms are available on the Grants.Gov website (http://www.grants.gov). Additional information about Grants.gov for BU Investigators can be obtained on the OSP website at: http://www.bu.edu/osp/electronic/index.html. Please contact the OSP Assistant Director assigned to your school or department as soon as possible to coordinate submission through the Grants.gov system.