Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000597
Apply for DE FOA 0000597
- The Office of Science in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Second Generation Dark Matter Experiments" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.049 Office of Science Financial Assistance Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 7, 2012 and posted on Mar 7, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 6, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $6,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
- All types of domestic entities are eligible to apply, except other Federal agencies, Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) Contractors, and nonprofit organizations described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995.
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Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, through its Office of High Energy Physics (OHEP), released a discretionary grant funding opportunity called "Second Generation Dark Matter Experiments" (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000597). The focus of the program is to support new efforts aimed at the direct detection of dark matter, specifically experimental projects that would measure or constrain dark matter interaction properties by observing rare events in detectors rather than relying on astrophysical observations alone. The FOA makes clear that DOE is looking for proposals that help move the field beyond incremental improvements and toward substantially more sensitive experiments.
A central requirement is that proposed projects must qualify as "second generation" dark matter direct-detection experiments. In practical terms, that means the experiment needs to be capable of improving the state of the art by at least an order of magnitude (roughly 10x) in our current knowledge of key physical dark matter parameters. While the announcement does not list specific parameter targets in the excerpt provided, in this research area that typically refers to improved sensitivity to dark matter interaction cross sections, better limits or measurements across relevant candidate mass ranges, and stronger control over backgrounds and systematic uncertainties. The intent is to fund projects that can deliver a step-change in sensitivity rather than modest refinements.
Funding under this announcement was intended for Fiscal Year 2013 and was structured as one year of work centered on research and development (R&D) and pre-conceptual design activities. This signals that DOE was seeking to invest in early-stage development that would mature promising second-generation concepts, reduce technical risks, and produce planning and design groundwork that could support later-stage decisions. Typical activities at this stage often include prototyping, validation of detector technologies, studies of background mitigation and shielding, site and infrastructure considerations, calibration approaches, and initial design documentation that frames the experiment's feasibility, cost drivers, and performance goals.
The FOA anticipated making about 10 awards, with an estimated total program funding level of $6,000,000. Individual awards were expected to fall between $1,500,000 (award floor) and $2,000,000 (award ceiling). The funding instrument type was a grant, and the activity category was Science and Technology and other Research and Development. Cost sharing or matching was not required, which generally lowers barriers for applicants and indicates DOE intended to fully fund the proposed federal share of the approved work within the award limits.
Eligibility was broadly described as unrestricted for domestic entities, meaning many types of U.S.-based organizations could apply, subject to the specific exclusions stated. Entities that could not apply included other federal agencies, Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) contractors, and certain nonprofit organizations classified under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995. Aside from those exclusions, the solicitation was open to domestic applicants, which commonly includes universities, national-lab affiliated collaborators (as allowed under the specific rules), nonprofit research institutions, and private sector organizations capable of performing advanced R&D.
Key administrative dates show the opportunity was posted and created on March 7, 2012, with an original and final closing date of July 6, 2012, and an archive date of September 7, 2012. The CFDA number listed is 81.049, associated with the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program. Additional details and the full announcement were available through FedConnect at the link provided in the notice.
For questions or access issues, DOE provided two points of contact: Michael H. Salamon, Program Manager (301-903-5106, michael.salamon@science.doe.gov), and Kerwin A. Lawrence, Grants Management Specialist (301-903-9842, kerwin.lawrence@science.doe.gov). These contacts reflect the typical division of responsibilities, with the program manager addressing scientific and technical scope questions and the grants management specialist handling administrative, eligibility, and award process issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Second Generation Dark Matter Experiments (DE-FOA-0000597)
What is the name of this DOE funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Second Generation Dark Matter Experiments".
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0000597.
Which DOE office is sponsoring this opportunity?
This opportunity is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, through its Office of High Energy Physics (OHEP).
What is the main scientific focus of the program?
The focus is to support new efforts aimed at the direct detection of dark matter, specifically experimental projects designed to measure or constrain dark matter interaction properties by observing rare events in detectors, rather than relying on astrophysical observations alone.
What kinds of projects does DOE want to fund under this FOA?
DOE is seeking proposals that move the field beyond incremental improvements and toward substantially more sensitive direct-detection experiments. The intent is to support efforts that represent a step-change in capability.
What does DOE mean by "second generation" dark matter experiments in this FOA?
Projects must qualify as "second generation" direct-detection experiments. Practically, this means the proposed experiment should be capable of improving the state of the art by at least an order of magnitude (about 10x) in current knowledge of key physical dark matter parameters.
How much improvement is required for a project to qualify as "second generation"?
The FOA sets a central requirement that the project must be capable of improving the state of the art by roughly 10x in key physical dark matter parameters (an order-of-magnitude improvement), emphasizing a step-change rather than modest refinements.
What kinds of "key physical dark matter parameters" are implied by the FOA excerpt?
While the excerpt does not list specific parameter targets, in this research area this typically refers to improvements such as better sensitivity to dark matter interaction cross sections, improved limits or measurements across relevant candidate mass ranges, and stronger control over backgrounds and systematic uncertainties.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
What project period or timeframe was DOE funding under this announcement intended to cover?
Funding under this announcement was intended for Fiscal Year 2013 and was structured as one year of work centered on research and development (R&D) and pre-conceptual design activities.
What is meant by "R&D and pre-conceptual design activities" in this FOA?
This indicates DOE was seeking to invest in early-stage development to mature promising second-generation concepts, reduce technical risks, and produce planning/design groundwork to support later-stage decisions. Typical activities at this stage often include prototyping, validation of detector technologies, studies of background mitigation and shielding, site and infrastructure considerations, calibration approaches, and initial design documentation addressing feasibility, cost drivers, and performance goals.
How many awards did DOE anticipate making?
The FOA anticipated making about 10 awards.
What was the estimated total program funding level?
The estimated total program funding level was $6,000,000.
What was the expected award size range for individual grants?
Individual awards were expected to range from an award floor of $1,500,000 to an award ceiling of $2,000,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. Cost sharing or matching was not required under this FOA.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility was described as unrestricted for domestic entities, meaning many types of U.S.-based organizations could apply, subject to specific exclusions listed in the FOA notice.
Which entities are not eligible to apply?
Entities that could not apply include other federal agencies, Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) contractors, and certain nonprofit organizations classified under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995.
Does the FOA allow non-U.S. (foreign) organizations to apply?
Based on the information provided, eligibility is described as unrestricted for domestic entities, which indicates the solicitation is open to U.S.-based applicants (with stated exclusions). No additional eligibility details for foreign organizations are provided in the excerpt.
When was the opportunity posted and created?
The opportunity was posted and created on March 7, 2012.
What were the application closing dates?
The FOA lists an original closing date of July 6, 2012 and a final closing date of July 6, 2012.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date is September 7, 2012.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 81.049, associated with the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program.
Where could applicants find the full announcement and additional details?
Additional details and the full announcement were available through FedConnect at the link provided in the notice.
Who should be contacted for scientific or technical questions?
Scientific and technical scope questions can be directed to Michael H. Salamon, Program Manager, at (301) 903-5106 or michael.salamon@science.doe.gov.
Who should be contacted for administrative or grants management questions?
Administrative, eligibility, and award process questions can be directed to Kerwin A. Lawrence, Grants Management Specialist, at (301) 903-9842 or kerwin.lawrence@science.doe.gov.
What is the central goal DOE is signaling for these projects?
The FOA emphasizes moving beyond incremental improvements and achieving a substantial increase in sensitivity for direct detection, aiming for a step-change in the field through second-generation experimental efforts.
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