Collaborative Fusion Energy Research in the DIII D National Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the purpose of this DOE funding opportunity?

This opportunity from the DOE Office of Science, Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program is intended to support collaborative fusion energy research that is tightly integrated with the DIII-D National Program. The central goal is to strengthen the scientific foundations needed to optimize the tokamak approach for fusion energy production, with an emphasis on improving understanding and control of magnetically confined plasmas and building predictive capability for tokamak plasma behavior under different operating conditions.

Which program within DOE is offering this grant?

The grant is offered by the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science through its Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program.

What facility must the proposed research be centered on?

Proposed work must be centered on the DIII-D tokamak and the DIII-D National Fusion Facility operated by General Atomics in San Diego, California.

Is using the DIII-D tokamak a strict requirement?

Yes. A defining requirement is that the proposed work must be centered on DIII-D. Projects are expected to make meaningful use of DIII-D experimental capabilities and/or DIII-D data resources.

What kinds of research activities does DOE want to fund under this announcement?

DOE is looking for research that advances understanding and control of magnetically confined plasmas and strengthens predictive capability for tokamak plasmas. This includes research that leverages DIII-D experimental capabilities, diagnostic strengths, and data resources, and that contributes to the broader collaborative effort spanning U.S. and international fusion partners.

Are modeling and simulation proposals allowed?

Yes. Modeling and simulation proposals are eligible as long as they are grounded in DIII-D, for example by validating models against DIII-D measurements, interpreting DIII-D experiments, or using DIII-D datasets to improve predictive plasma physics tools.

What does it mean for a modeling effort to be "grounded in DIII-D"?

Based on the opportunity description, a modeling or simulation effort should directly connect to DIII-D through activities such as model validation against DIII-D measurements, analysis that interprets DIII-D experiments, or use of DIII-D datasets to improve predictive tools.

Why does the opportunity emphasize DIII-D specifically?

The announcement highlights DIII-D as a uniquely flexible and well-instrumented tokamak and explicitly values research that leverages its diagnostic strengths and integrates with the DIII-D National Program and broader collaborative fusion partnerships.

What types of proposals are considered out of scope?

DOE states that proposals not primarily focused on research using the DIII-D tokamak are out of scope and are discouraged from applying under this announcement.

Are proposals that mainly request DIII-D experimental run time allowed?

No. Proposals that mainly request experimental run time on DIII-D without a substantive research plan and associated analysis/modeling effort are described as out of scope. The intent is to fund complete research efforts that deliver scientific results, not simply requests for facility access.

How many awards did DOE expect to make, and what was the total funding available?

DOE anticipated making about 7 awards with an estimated total of $9,000,000 available across all awards.

What was the expected funding range per award?

Individual awards were expected to fall between $1,000,000 and $3,000,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity stated there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement.

What type of funding mechanism is this?

This is described as a discretionary grant opportunity under the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program (CFDA 81.049) in the Science and Technology / Research and Development category.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to any clarifications that may have appeared in the full announcement text.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA) for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0001375.

When was the opportunity posted and when were applications due?

The opportunity was posted on July 22, 2015, and the application deadline was October 2, 2015.

When was the archive date for this opportunity?

The archive date was November 1, 2015.

What fiscal year was this opportunity aimed at supporting?

The timing and administrative details indicate it was aimed at Fiscal Year 2016 support.

Who is the DOE program contact for questions about the announcement or access issues?

The program contact listed was Dr. Mark Foster, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences.

How can applicants contact the program contact?

Dr. Mark Foster could be reached at 858-455-3360 or Mark.Foster@science.doe.gov.

What is the main emphasis of the scientific work DOE wants to see?

The description emphasizes research that improves understanding and control of magnetically confined plasmas and builds predictive capability for tokamak plasma behavior across operating conditions, specifically in the context of DIII-D-centered research.

Does this opportunity require collaboration?

The opportunity is framed around supporting collaborative fusion energy research integrated with the DIII-D National Program, and it notes the value of contributions to a broader collaborative team including U.S. and international fusion partners.