Scientific Data Management, Analysis and Visualization at Extreme Scale | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): DOE ASCR - Scientific Data Management, Analysis and Visualization at Extreme Scale (DE-FOA-0001043)

1) What is the title and funding opportunity number for this DOE announcement?

The opportunity is titled "Scientific Data Management, Analysis and Visualization at Extreme Scale" and the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA) is DE-FOA-0001043.

2) Which DOE office is sponsoring this opportunity?

This opportunity is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, through the Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR).

3) What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The FOA calls for basic computer science research that can substantially improve how scientific data is managed, analyzed, and visualized for DOE-supported scientific disciplines as computing platforms move toward extreme-scale (often associated with exascale-class) architectures.

4) What broader outcomes is DOE aiming for through this FOA?

The larger aim is to create foundational ideas and software infrastructure that make it feasible for scientists to work effectively with massive data volumes and complex simulations on next-generation supercomputers.

5) What research topics does the FOA emphasize?

The FOA emphasizes five core research themes: (1) usability and user interface design, (2) in situ methods for data management, analysis, and visualization, (3) design of in situ workflows, (4) scalable interactive visual analytics environments, and (5) proxy applications, workflows, or simulations for data management/analysis/visualization software.

6) What does "usability and user interface design" mean in the context of this FOA?

This theme includes human-centered design, workflow usability, and interfaces that help domain scientists explore and understand data without needing to manage excessive system complexity.

7) What are "in situ methods" as described in the FOA?

In situ methods refer to techniques that operate on data while it is being generated by a running simulation or experiment pipeline. The goal is to reduce the need to write extremely large datasets to disk and then analyze them later.

8) How is "design of in situ workflows" different from in situ methods?

Beyond single in situ tools, the FOA also targets end-to-end workflow approaches that integrate data movement, processing, analysis, and visualization in ways that are practical, robust, and efficient at scale.

9) What does the FOA mean by "scalable interactive visual analytics environments"?

This theme focuses on interactive systems that remain responsive even when driven by extreme-scale datasets and parallel computing resources.

10) Why does the FOA mention proxy applications, workflows, or simulations?

Proxy applications, workflows, or simulations are intended to support co-design of extreme-scale systems by providing realistic stand-ins. These proxies can help hardware and software teams evaluate performance tradeoffs and requirements early.

11) What is the funding instrument type for this opportunity?

The funding instrument type is a cooperative agreement.

12) What does a cooperative agreement imply for project oversight or involvement?

A cooperative agreement indicates DOE expects an active partnership role during the project rather than a purely hands-off grant arrangement.

13) What is the activity area and CFDA listing for this opportunity?

The activity area is science and technology research and development under CFDA 81.049 (Office of Science Financial Assistance Program).

14) Is cost sharing required?

No. The FOA states that cost sharing is not required.

15) When was the FOA originally posted?

The FOA was originally posted on December 19, 2013.

16) What was the original closing date, and what is the modified closing date?

The original closing date was March 19, 2014. The modified (current) closing date is April 4, 2014.

17) Why was the deadline modified?

The modification note indicates the deadline was adjusted to allow an institution within a collaboration to submit after encountering technical issues that caused it to miss the earlier deadline.

18) Who is eligible to apply in general terms?

Eligibility is broadly open to most entity types, with specific exclusions described in the FOA.

19) Which organizations are explicitly not eligible to apply?

Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) contractors are not eligible to apply under this FOA. Also excluded are nonprofit organizations described under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995.

20) Are there limits on how many applications an institution can be involved in?

Yes. Any given institution may submit at most two applications total, counting roles as a prime applicant, sub-awardee, or collaborating institution.

21) Are there limits on how many applications an individual can participate in?

Yes. Any individual may participate in at most two applications, including as a principal investigator, collaborator, or any other participating role.

22) Do the participation limits apply only to prime applicants?

No. For institutions, the limit counts participation as a prime applicant, sub-awardee, or collaborating institution. For individuals, the limit includes participation as a principal investigator, collaborator, or other participating role.

23) Does the announcement encourage proposals from any particular groups?

Yes. The announcement states that individuals from underrepresented groups and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply, consistent with federal research participation goals.

24) Where do applicants get the full FOA and application package instructions?

Applicants are directed to obtain the full FOA text and application package instructions through FedConnect at the link provided in the opportunity posting.

25) Is there a related or companion announcement mentioned?

Yes. The opportunity references a companion announcement aimed at DOE laboratories (LAB 14-1043) to be posted on the Office of Science grants and contracts site.

26) Who is the technical/scientific program contact for questions?

The technical scientific program contact is Lucille T. Nowell. Phone: 301-903-3191. Email: lucy.nowell@science.doe.gov.

27) What kinds of scientific areas is this FOA trying to support?

The FOA is framed around improving data management, analysis, and visualization for DOE-supported scientific disciplines, particularly as those disciplines rely on extreme-scale computing platforms and increasingly massive data volumes and simulations.

28) Does this FOA focus on applied deployment or foundational research?

The FOA emphasizes basic computer science research, with the intent to produce foundational ideas and software infrastructure suited for next-generation supercomputing environments.

29) What problem is this FOA trying to solve regarding extreme-scale computing?

As systems move toward extreme-scale architectures, data volumes and simulation complexity can outpace traditional approaches. The FOA targets research that helps scientists manage, analyze, and visualize data effectively without being overwhelmed by storage and system complexity constraints.

30) What is the role of workflows in this FOA?

Workflows are highlighted both through usability/user interface design and through the specific theme of in situ workflow design, emphasizing integrated approaches to data movement, processing, analysis, and visualization that work reliably and efficiently at scale.