Department of Energy seeks $99 million to support Energy Frontier Research Centers

The Department of Energy (DoE) announced on Monday that it will request $99 million in fiscal year 2018 to support Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs), which works to advance breakthroughs in materials sciences, chemical sciences, geosciences, and biosciences.

The DoE’s Office of Science established EFRCs in 2009 to support multidisciplinary research teams at universities, national laboratories, nonprofit groups and private firms. Currently, 36 EFRCs are funded by the DoE, and funding is scheduled to expire for 32 of them in July 2018.

“These centers will mobilize our top scientists in the effort to secure America’s energy future,” Energy Secretary Rick Perry said. “By forging leading researchers into strong, innovative teams, the Energy Frontier Research Centers can be expected to generate the energy breakthroughs that will define the future of our economic and national security.”

The $99 million funding request, which is subject to the congressional appropriations process, would support an open competition among existing and new EFRCs for funding. Various entities would be able to compete for $2 million to $4 million per year in funding over four fiscal years.

DoE will evaluate proposals based on emerging science priorities like quantum materials, catalysis science, synthesis science, instrumentation science, next-generation energy storage, future nuclear energy, and energy-water issues that have been highlighted in recent workshops.

The selection of EFRCs will be subject to a peer-review process.