Research Development and Partnership Pilot (RDPP)

Background
The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) program in Biological and Environmental Research (BER) is interested in receiving applications for a Research Development and Partnership Pilot (RDPP) within BER’s Earth and Environmental Systems Sciences Division (EESSD). The goal is to broaden and diversify institutional representation in the EESSD portfolio with institutions that have limited familiarity and/or engagement with EESSD supported efforts. The funding opportunity announcement (FOA) will provide seed funding for institutions to develop new partnerships, facilitate participation in planned EESSD research programmatic and user facility outreach and training activities, and foster the development of climate and environmental science research and training capacity at under-represented institutions.

Grant Details
The FOA seeks to support basic research to advance understanding rather than to address commercial opportunities. Applications should specify the project category or categories on the proposal cover page: 1) Developing capabilities; 2) Developing partnerships; and/or 3) Leveraging user facilities. Applications should describe how the training and experience of the PI and senior personnel align with Earth and environmental sciences and the general interests of the EESSD.

Applications focused on building institutional capacity should also describe any additional institutional resources in Earth and environmental sciences. Applicants are encouraged to discuss how an RDPP award could impact their current research and/or teaching or help them branch out into a new area.

Eligibility Requirements
All types of domestic applicants are eligible to apply, except nonprofit organizations described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995. Federally affiliated entities such as DOE/NNSA National Laboratories, non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs, and other Federal Agencies are not eligible to submit applications under this FOA. Individual applicants are unlikely to possess the skills, abilities, and resources to successfully accomplish the objectives of this FOA.

Period of Performance
DOE anticipates making awards with a single budget period of 18 to 22 months from August 15, 2022, to May 14, 2024.

Grant Value
DOE anticipates that a total of $1.5 million in current and future fiscal year funds will be used to support approximately 10 to 20 awards under this FOA. The award size will depend on the number of meritorious applications and the availability of appropriated funds. A multi-institutional team is limited to a request of no more than $150,000 total.