FY 2010 Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

The Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0000178.

2) What is the name of the program associated with this opportunity?

This opportunity is the FY 2010 continuation of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science Financial Assistance Program, listed under CFDA 81.049.

3) What type of funding instrument is being offered?

The funding instrument is a discretionary grant.

4) What kinds of projects is DOE looking to fund under this notice?

This is an Office of Science umbrella solicitation focused on science and technology research and development. It reflects a broad interest in receiving proposals across core Office of Science research domains rather than a single narrow topic call.

5) Is this a narrow topic solicitation or a broad/open solicitation?

It is a broad, standing umbrella solicitation intended to receive investigator-initiated and program-aligned proposals across multiple Office of Science program areas.

6) Which program areas are supported under this funding notice?

The supported areas listed in the notice are:

• Advanced Scientific Computing
• Biological and Environmental Research
• Basic Energy Sciences
• Fusion Energy Sciences
• High Energy Physics
• Nuclear Physics
• Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists

7) Does this opportunity include workforce-related activities, or only research?

It includes both research projects and (under Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists) activities aimed at strengthening the pipeline of teachers and scientists relevant to DOE mission needs.

8) When was this funding opportunity posted?

The announcement was posted on December 4, 2009.

9) Is the solicitation open for submissions throughout the posting period?

Yes. The notice states it remains open for submissions throughout the stated window, and applicants may submit at any time until the closing date (or until a successor announcement replaces it).

10) What is the application deadline for this opportunity?

The submission window runs until September 30, 2010, with a specified deadline time of 8:00 PM Eastern Time, or until a successor announcement replaces it, whichever occurs first.

11) Can this opportunity close earlier than September 30, 2010?

Yes. The notice states it remains open until September 30, 2010 at 8:00 PM Eastern Time, or until a successor announcement replaces it, whichever occurs first.

12) What does it mean that this is a "continuation" opportunity?

It is the FY 2010 continuation of an established Office of Science solicitation framework, inviting proposals across core research domains under the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program.

13) Does this notice replace any earlier DOE Office of Science announcement?

Yes. The notice states it supersedes the prior annual notice DE-PS02-09ER09-01 (published October 1, 2008), and serves as the updated, active posting for FY 2010.

14) What regulation governs how applications are submitted and reviewed?

The notice points applicants to 10 CFR Part 605, the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program rule published as a final rule on September 3, 1992. This regulation provides the ground rules for the program, including submission requirements, eligibility, program limitations, and the evaluation and selection process, along with other policies and procedures.

15) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as "unrestricted," meaning it is generally open to any type of applicant entity, subject to any additional clarifications contained in the full announcement text.

16) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated for this opportunity. The notice indicates that federal support is not conditioned on providing non-federal matching funds, unless a specific subprogram or circumstance in the governing documents requires otherwise.

17) Which DOE office is associated with this opportunity?

This opportunity is associated with the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science.

18) Which service center is listed for administering or associating with this notice?

The notice lists the Chicago Service Center.

19) Where should applicants go for technical or access help related to the posting?

For linking or access problems related to the funding opportunity posting, the notice advises contacting the FedConnect HelpDesk. Applicants needing access assistance are directed to FedConnect support at support@fedconnect.net.

20) Who is the program contact listed in the notice?

The program contact provided is Kimberlie J. Laing (kim.laing@science.doe.gov).

21) What is the CFDA number referenced for this program?

The notice references CFDA 81.049.

22) What does the archive date indicate?

The listing indicates an archive date of April 4, 2011, reflecting when it was formally archived after the close.

23) How should this opportunity be understood overall?

It is best read as a standing, annual Office of Science umbrella solicitation for investigator-initiated and program-aligned proposals across DOE Office of Science research areas, with application and review governed by 10 CFR Part 605 and an open submission period through the end of FY 2010 (unless replaced earlier by a successor announcement).