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.Applicants that are not domestic organizations should be advised that:• Individual applicants are unlikely to possess the skills, abilities, and resources to successfully accomplish the objectives of this FOA. Individual applicants are encouraged to address this concern in their applications and to demonstrate how they will accomplish the objectives of this FOA.• Non-domestic applicants are advised that successful applications from non-domestic applicants include a detailed demonstration of how the applicant possesses skills, resources, and abilities that do not exist among potential domestic applicantsThis FOA does not support an applicant’s commercial activity. Applications from for-profit organizations that propose a scientific scope of work related to current business activity or uses are considered to be commercial activity and will be declined. Applications containing a scientific scope of work that is or has been supported by or proposed to a Federal Small Business Innovative Research or Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program are considered to be commercial activity and will be declined without merit review. All for-profit applicants must include a description, not to exceed 200 words, of how their proposed work will advance scientific understanding of a basic and fundamental nature as an appendix to the research narrative.Federally-affiliated entities must adhere to the eligibility standards below:1. DOE/NNSA National LaboratoriesDOE/NNSA National Laboratories are eligible to submit applications under this FOA and may be proposed as subrecipeints under another organization’s application. 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 subrecipient, 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. No administrative provisions of this FOA will apply to the laboratory or any laboratory subcontractor. In addition to the cognizant Contracting Officer, Office of Science Laboratories are required to provide written authorization from the Director of Laboratory Policy (SC-42) with the application in order to be eligible to apply for funding under this FOA. Additional instructions for securing authorization from the cognizant Contracting Officer and SC-42 are found in Section VIII of this FOA.2. Non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCsNon-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are not eligible to submit applications under this FOA but may beproposed as subrecipients under another organization’s application. If recommended for funding as a proposed subrecipient, the value of the proposed subaward may be removed from the prime applicant’s award and may be provided through an Inter-Agency Award to the FFRDC’s sponsoring Federal Agency. Additional instructions for securing authorization from the cognizant Contracting Officer are found in Section VIII of this FOA.3. Other Federal AgenciesOther Federal Agencies are not eligible to submit applications under this FOA but may be proposed as subrecipients under another organization’s application. If recommended for funding as a proposed subrecipient, the value of the proposed subaward may be removed from the prime applicant’s award and may be provided through an Inter-Agency Award. Additional instructions for providing statutory authorization are found in Section VIII of this FOA.

Thomas Ndousse-Fetter Program Manager Phone 301-903-9960