FEDERAL AGENCY:

OFFICE OF FOSSIL ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

AUTHORIZATION:

Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, Public Law 83-703; Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, Public Law 93-438; Research and Marketing Act of 1946, as amended, Public Law 85-934; Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93- 577; Department of Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations for 1980, Public Law 96-126; Department of Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2001, Public Law 106-291.

OBJECTIVES:

To improve scientific and technical understanding of the chemistry and physics involved in the conversion and utilization of coal. The primary objective is to fund long-term, high-risk, meritorious fundamental research for the advancement of science related to all Fossil Energy's coal-related programs. Through an annual solicitation, applications are sought with the potential to overcome barriers in technology development and accelerate the identification of solutions for energy and environmental problems. Solicited research should contemplate nearly total carbon closure by the year 2015 along with substantial increases in energy conversion efficiency for utilizing our nation's abundant coal resources.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Work must be related to program objectives.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   U.S. colleges and universities may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   U.S. colleges and universities will benefit. The principal investigator must be a teaching professor and the grant must support at least one student enrolled at the college/university.

Credentials/Documentation:   Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21 for institutions of higher education. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Pre-application Coordination:   This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   This program is subject to the provisions of 10 CFR 600. Proposals should be submitted to National Energy Technology Laboratory, Attn: MS921-107 , Department of Energy, P.O. Box 10940, 626 Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940, Contact: Mr. John Augustine, (412) 892-4524. Fax: (412) 386-6137.

Award Procedure:   Proposals reviewed by qualified experts in accordance with the factors listed in 10 CFR Chapter II, Part 600 with specific emphasis on the scientific and technical merit of the proposed research and the factors listed in the formal solicitation for proposals.

Deadlines:   Deadlines are stated in solicitations issued annually. Normally, solicitations are issued between September and December with proposals due 6 weeks later.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Approximately 90 to 180 days.

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   None.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Limited university/industrial collaboration is encouraged but not required in the core program. A minimum of 25% cost sharing is required in the University/Industry partnership application. Details are described in the solicitation. This program has no statutory formula.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Varies, but it is no longer than 60 months. Usually funded by the Electronic Transfer System.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Reports are currently required on a semi-annual basis on progress and expenditures.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 110, in conjunction with OMB Circular No. A-21, "Cost Principles for Education Institutions."

Records:   Retention of records will be required pursuant to guidelines set forth in 10 CFR 600.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   89-0213-0-1-271.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $3,000,000; FY 02 est $3,000,000; and FY 03 est $3,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
Maximum funding for 36 month project is $300,000.

In fiscal year 2001, 64 applications were received and 18 awards were made.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

A formal competitive solicitation for proposals for fiscal year 2001 was issued in December, 2000 for the fiscal year 2001 program.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  
See Regional Agency Offices. Project Office - National Energy Technology Laboratory, 3610 Collins Ferry Road P.O.Box 880, Morgantow n WV 26507-0880 Contact: Dr. Sydni Credle, Telephone:304-285-5255.

Headquarters Office:  
Regis Conrad Department of Energy , Washington, , District of Columbia 20585 Email: Regis.Conrad@hq.doe.gov Phone: (301) 903-2827 Fax: (301) 903-2713

Web Site Address:  
http://netl.doe.gov/

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Examples of projects funded in 2000 are: (1) Ceramic Membranes for Hydrogen Separation application; (2) Ceramic Membranes for Hydrogen Production from Coal; (3) Water-Gas Shift Hydrogen Separation Process; (4) Sulfur Reduction in Gasoline and Diesel Fuels by Extraction; (5) Novel Integrated Stack Approach for Realizing Mechanically Robust Solid Oxide Fuel Cells; (6) Improved Iron Catalysts for Slurry Phase Fisher-Tropsch Synthesis; and (7) Fundamental Investigation of Fuel Transformations in Advanced coal Combustion and Gasification Technologies.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Emphasis is on the scientific and technical merit of the proposed research and the factors listed as generic goals in the formal solicitation for proposals.