FY 2018 Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program | DE FOA 0001820

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001820

The FY 2018 Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0001820) is a Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) funding opportunity designed to support basic research and the scientific infrastructure that underpins the nation’s long-term energy, economic, and national security interests. The Office of Science positions this program as part of its broader mission to produce scientific discoveries and develop major scientific tools that deepen our understanding of nature while enabling future innovation. As the federal government’s largest sponsor of basic research in the physical sciences, SC uses this solicitation to keep a wide pipeline of fundamental research and user-facility-enabled science moving forward.

The opportunity emphasizes three major pillars of SC support. First, it targets the "frontiers of science," meaning foundational, curiosity-driven research that probes the most fundamental questions across disciplines. The description spans work at the smallest scales, such as subatomic particles, atoms, and molecules that form the basis of matter, as well as biological building blocks like DNA, proteins, and cells that form the basis of life. The framing is intentionally broad, reflecting the Office of Science’s role in sustaining core discovery science that can later translate into breakthroughs in technology, materials, computing, energy systems, and biosciences.

Second, the solicitation highlights the "21st Century tools of science," referencing SC’s stewardship of 27 national scientific user facilities. These facilities are described as state-of-the-art resources that provide researchers access to advanced instrumentation and capabilities that are difficult or impossible to replicate at individual institutions. By supporting projects that use or enhance these facilities, SC aims to keep the United States at the leading edge of scientific measurement, experimentation, computation, and technology development, while also ensuring that the broader research community can benefit from shared national-scale assets.

Third, the program supports "science for energy and the environment," focusing on the knowledge base needed for progress on DOE mission priorities. This includes fundamental research that can drive discoveries relevant to energy production, conversion, storage, transmission, and end use, along with research that improves understanding of Earth systems. The intent is not limited to near-term applications; instead, it stresses the foundational science required to enable future advances and innovations across energy and environmental challenges.

From an administrative and funding standpoint, this is a discretionary opportunity offering awards through grants and cooperative agreements under CFDA 81.049. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning applicants of any entity type may apply, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full solicitation text. The solicitation was created on May 25, 2018, with an original closing date of September 30, 2018. The award ceiling is stated as $4,000,000, and DOE anticipated making approximately 300 awards, indicating a program with a broad portfolio that can accommodate a wide range of project sizes and research modalities.

Overall, DE-FOA-0001820 functions as a continuation vehicle for Office of Science financial assistance, supporting everything from single-investigator fundamental research to larger team-based efforts, and including work that leverages national user facilities. The unifying theme is investment in fundamental science and world-class scientific tools as the bedrock for U.S. leadership in discovery, innovation, and long-term energy and environmental capability.

• The Department of Energy - Office of Science, Office of Science in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2018 Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance 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 May 25, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 30, 2018. (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 $4,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 300 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.

Apply for DE FOA 0001820

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