Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC)

Background
The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) program in Basic Energy Sciences (BES) announces a re-competition of the Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) program. The focus of the EFRC program is on fundamental scientific research, therefore applications to this FOA must not propose applied research and technology development activities.

Grant Details
The EFRC program brings together diverse world-class teams of scientists to perform basic research with a scope and complexity beyond what is possible in single-investigator or small-group awards. The EFRCs conduct fundamental research to address grand challenges identified in the report Directing Matter and Energy: Five Challenges for Science and the Imagination (December 2007) and transformative opportunities identified in the report Challenges at the Frontiers of Matter and Energy: Transformative Opportunities for Discovery Science (November 2015).

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include institutions capable of being funded through the DOE Field Work System. SC encourages applications led by Emerging Research Institutions (ERIs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), that are underrepresented in the SC portfolio. Applications are also encouraged from teams that include the participation of MSIs and ERIs, as well as researchers from groups historically underrepresented in STEM.

Period of Performance
DOE anticipates making awards with a project period of 4 years. Continuation funding is contingent on availability of funds appropriated by Congress, progress towards meeting objectives, submission of required reports, and compliance with award terms and conditions.

Grant Value
DOE anticipates a total funding amount of $100 million for awards under this FOA, with $25 million available annually. Award sizes will range from $2,000,000 per year to $4,000,000 per year. Multi-institutional teams are limited to a request of no more than $4,000,000 per year.