Early Career Research Program | DE FOA 0002563

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002563

The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) Early Career Research Program is a discretionary grant opportunity designed to help outstanding researchers early in their careers establish independent, long-term research programs. The program is meant to both accelerate the professional development of promising scientists and strengthen the research pipeline in disciplines that align with DOE Office of Science priorities. Applications are invited across several SC program areas: Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR), Basic Energy Sciences (BES), Biological and Environmental Research (BER), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES), High Energy Physics (HEP), Nuclear Physics (NP), Isotope Research and Development and Production (DOE IP), and Accelerator Research and Development and Production (ARDAP). In practice, this means proposals can span topics from cutting-edge computing and fundamental physics to biological and environmental systems, materials and chemistry, fusion science, accelerator technologies, and isotope science, as long as the work fits within the mission space of the relevant Office of Science program.

At the center of the opportunity is the broader Office of Science mission: delivering scientific discoveries and major scientific tools that deepen understanding of nature while supporting the United States in energy, economic competitiveness, and national security. SC positions itself as the largest federal sponsor of basic research in the physical sciences and a lead agency for fundamental science underpinning the nation’s energy future. The funding opportunity emphasizes three interconnected themes that reflect how SC pursues that mission. First is support for the "frontiers of science," meaning fundamental, discipline-defining research that probes core questions ranging from subatomic particles and nuclear processes to atoms, molecules, advanced materials, and the building blocks of life such as DNA, proteins, and cells. Second is the development and operation of "21st century tools of science," specifically the network of 28 national scientific user facilities that provide state-of-the-art experimental and computational capabilities to researchers nationwide. Third is "science for energy and the environment," which focuses on building the foundational knowledge required for breakthroughs in energy production, conversion, storage, transmission, and efficient use, along with improved understanding of Earth and environmental systems.

Eligibility is restricted under federal competition rules (cited as 2 CFR 910.126) to U.S. Institutions of Higher Education and DOE National Laboratories. While individual investigators serve as principal investigators (PIs), the submission is made by an eligible institution, and submitting an application represents an institutional certification that the PI meets the program’s eligibility requirements referenced in the announcement (notably in the eligibility sections identified as Section III C and D). The opportunity is administered by the DOE Office of Science under CFDA number 81.049 and uses a grant funding instrument for science and technology research and development activities.

Key administrative details in the source listing include the funding opportunity number DE-FOA-0002563, an original closing date of January 20, 2022, and an award ceiling of $750,000. The posting date (creation date) is September 9, 2021. Overall, the program is structured to make targeted, competitive investments in early-career investigators whose research plans are scientifically ambitious, aligned with Office of Science program goals, and positioned to grow into impactful, sustained research efforts within the DOE-supported basic science ecosystem.

• The Office of Science in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Early Career Research Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.049.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-09-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-01-20. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for DE FOA 0002563

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