The Office of High Energy Physics of the Office of Science (SC), U.S. Department of Energy, hereby announces its interest in receiving grant applications for support under its Outstanding Junior Investigator (OJI) Program. Applications should be from tenure-track faculty investigators who are currently involved in experimental or theoretical high energy physics or accelerator physics research, and should be submitted through a U.S. academic institution. The purpose of this program is to support the development of individual research programs by outstanding scientists early in their careers. Awards made under this program will help to maintain the vitality of university research and assure continued excellence in the teaching of physics.

The Outstanding Junior Investigator program was started in 1978 by the Department of Energy's Office of Science. A principal goal of this program is to identify exceptionally talented high energy physicists early in their careers and assist and facilitate the development of their research programs. Eligibility for awards under this notice is therefore restricted to non-tenured investigators who are conducting experimental or theoretical high energy physics or accelerator physics research and who have not applied to this program more than two times before. Since its debut, the program has initiated support for between five and ten new OJIs each year. The program has been very successful and contributes importantly to the vigor of the U.S. High Energy Physics program. Applicants should request support under this notice for normal research project costs as required to conduct their proposed research activities. The full range of activities currently supported by the Office of High Energy Physics is eligible for support under this program.

The DOE expects again to make between five and ten grant awards in fiscal year 2008 to meet the objectives of this program. It is anticipated that approximately $500,000 will be available, subject to availability of appropriated funds. In the recent past, awards have averaged $70,000 per year, with the number of awards determined by the number of excellent applications and the total funds available for the program.  Multiple-year funding of grant awards is expected, including renewal beyond the initial project period, subject to peer review. Funding will be provided on an annual basis subject to availability of funds.

Applications will be subjected to a formal competitive merit review and will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

          1. The scientific and/or technical merit and importance of the project;

          2. The quality and impact of the applicant's recent related work;

          3. The appropriateness of the approach and the adequacy of the proposed resources; and

          4. The reasonableness and appropriateness of the proposed budget.

In order to permit timely consideration for awards in the fiscal year 2008 competition, applications should be received before December 4, 2007.

Further information can be found on the DOE Office of Science Grants and Contracts web site http://www.science.doe.gov/grants/FAPN07-34.html. The official funding opportunity announcement can be found on the Grants.gov web site.

For further information contact:

Dr. Randy Johnson

Department of Energy	(301) 903-3711
Office of High Energy Physics	Fax: (301) 903-2597
Germantown, Maryland 20874	E-Mail: randy.johnson@science.doe.gov