Early Career Research Program

Agency: Office of Science

81.049 -- Office of Science Financial Assistance Program

Archived opportunityLast Updated: May 13, 2026

Description

DOE SC hereby invites applications for support under the ECRP in the following 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 (R&D) and Production (DOE IP); and Accelerator R&D and Production (ARDAP). The purpose of this program is to support the development of individual research programs of outstanding scientists early in their careers and to stimulate research careers in the areas supported by SC.

SC’s mission is to deliver the scientific discoveries and major scientific tools to transform our understanding of nature and advance the energy, economic, and national security of the United States. SC is the Nation’s largest Federal sponsor of basic research in the physical sciences and the lead Federal agency supporting fundamental scientific research for our Nation’s energy future.

SC accomplishes its mission and advances national goals by supporting:

· The frontiers of science—exploring nature’s mysteries from the study of fundamental subatomic particles, atoms, and molecules that are the building blocks of the materials of our universe and everything in it to the DNA, proteins, and cells that are the building blocks of life. Each of the programs in SC supports research probing the most fundamental disciplinary questions.

· The 21st Century tools of science—providing the nation’s researchers with 28 state-of- the-art national scientific user facilities - the most advanced tools of modern science - propelling the U.S. to the forefront of science, technology development, and deployment through innovation.

· Science for energy and the environment―paving the knowledge foundation to spur discoveries and innovations for advancing the Department’s mission in energy and environment. SC supports a wide range of funding modalities from single principal investigators to large team-based activities to engage in fundamental research on energy production, conversion, storage, transmission, and use, and on our understanding of the earth systems.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Miscellaneous

Other

Additional information

In accordance with 2 CFR 910.126, Competition, eligibility for award is restricted to U.S. Institutions of Higher Education, DOE National Laboratories (listed at https://www.energy.gov/national-laboratories), and institutions operating SC Scientific User Facilities (listed at https://science.osti.gov/User-Facilities).III.A.1. Institution of Higher EducationU.S. academic institutions are eligible to submit applications under this FOA. An employee with a joint appointment between a university and a DOE national laboratory must apply through the institution that pays his or her salary and provides his or her benefits.III.A.2. DOE/NNSA National LaboratoriesDOE/NNSA National Laboratories are eligible to submit applications under this FOA. If recommended for funding as a lead applicant, funding will be provided through the DOE Field-Work Proposal System. If recommended for funding as a proposed subawardee, the value of the proposed subaward will be removed from the prime applicant’s award and will be provided to the laboratory through the DOE Field-Work Proposal System. Additional instructions for securing authorization from the cognizant Contracting Officer are found in Section VIII of this FOA. Submission of a pre-application (in PAMS) or an application (in Grants.gov) by an authorized institutional representative is a confirmation that the proposed research idea fits within the scope of SC-funded programs at the national laboratory. Proposing research that falls within this category ensures that investigators have the opportunity to belong to or join, at the laboratory’s discretion, funded research groups. Investigators funded under this program are encouraged to charge at least 50% of their time to the award, allowing time to develop or maintain funded collaborations within the lab over the course of the award. Amounts less than 50% should be as close to 50% as possible. Making sure that investigators have potential connections with SC funded programs encourages the laboratory to actively plan to address funding transition issues that may arise when an award ends. Applications from DOE National Laboratories should not (a) attempt to revive previously terminated research areas within the laboratory or (b) topically isolate investigators. Eligibility exemptions will not be granted.III.A.3. SC Scientific User Facilities not at a DOE/NNSA National LaboratoryInstitutions operating SC Scientific User Facilities are eligible to submit applications under this FOA. If recommended for funding as a lead applicant, funding will be provided as a financial assistance award to the non-Governmental entity operating the User Facility.

Grantor contact information

Description

SC.Early@science.doe.gov

Email

SC.Early@science.doe.gov

Documents

File name	Description	Last updated
DE-FOA-0003176.000001.pdf	Full Amended FOA	Jan 10, 2024 04:43 PM UTC

Link to additional information

Archived: May 25, 2024

Application process

This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates.

Award

$136,000,000

Program Funding

Expected awards

$875,000

Award Minimum

$2,750,000

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

DE-FOA-0003176

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

Funding instrument type:

Procurement contract

Grant

Opportunity Category:

Discretionary

Opportunity Category Explanation:

Category of Funding Activity:

Science technology and other research and development

Category Explanation:

History

Version:

Posted date:

December 15, 2023

Archive date:

May 25, 2024