FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – UQ
Simulation, and Analysis of Complex Systems
Q: The FOA includes a list of topics but doesn't mention proposals that explicitly integrate two or more topics? Are these encouraged?
A: Yes, proposals that integrate two or more topics are allowed. You may also submit multiple proposals that address different topics.
Q: I would like to propose research in Uncertainty Quantification that is not explicitly mentioned in your list of topics. If I submit a proposal, will it be competitive?
A: Your proposal will be considered within the scope of the solicitation as long as it addresses Uncertainty quantification (UQ), which broadly refers to the assessment of confidence of simulation predictions of DOE-relevant complex systems.
Q: The funding announcement states that, “It is anticipated that up to $3 million will be available for multiple awards for this program.” How many awards do you anticipate issuing?
A: We expect to issue 5-8 awards. DOE seeks proposals that provide innovative research to address the important problems called out in the FOA that fit within the available budget.
Q: Should I partner with a DOE National Lab and/or another university, is this viewed more favorably?
A: There are no preconceptions about collaborations, ideal funding levels or number of participants, except that the proposal has to make the case that the team and funding level are right for the work that is proposed and it has to fit within the budget.
Q: How application-oriented should my proposal be?
A: Proposals should clearly address the potential for advances in mathematical methods and/or numerical algorithms in Uncertainty Quantification (UQ), and not just apply existing UQ methods and algorithms to a specific science problem. It is expected that proposals identify DOE-relevant complex systems and how their proposed UQ research is appropriate and relevant to such systems.
Q: How much focus should I put on scalability and/or exascale computing?
A: Proposals should address how their mathematical research, algorithms, and/or software may impact simulations running on future high-performance computing architectures, such as exascale computer architectures.
Q: How much of my proposed effort should be related to implementation / software?
A: Proposals may choose to have a component of their effort that supports implementation of proof-of-principle software. This is acceptable as it may demonstrate the efficacy and applicability of the research project. We do not require delivery of a robust software package.
Q: Is there any limitation on the number of proposals that one can submit as a PI, co-PI, or other funded participant?
A: No, there are no limits on the number of proposals submitted by individuals or institutions.
Q: For collaborative proposals spanning multiple organizations, if a Principal Investigator’s (PI) organization submits the main proposal, what does the co-PI’s organization submit, assuming the co-PI is with a different institution or Lab? Do they just submit their budgets and the abstract or should they submit the full proposal like the lead PI will submit?
A: Each organization should submit the full proposal, using the same title across all of the submitting organizations. The proposal should include a table that shows how the budget is distributed each year across all of the organizations, but the budget pages with each submission should reflect only the funding for the submitting organization.
Q: There are two calls, "Program Announcement to DOE National Laboratories: LAB 10-315" and "Office of Science Financial Assistance Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0000315,” each with the same subtitle. Are these two separate calls?
A: One is the university/industry call (with directions to submit via Grants.gov) and the other is the DOE National Laboratory call. They differ in the descriptions of who is eligible to apply and how to submit a proposal, but the technical content is identical.
Q: Do you have a preferred start date for proposal submissions to the three ASCR calls currently out?
A: We anticipate a starting date of September 1, 2010.
Q: We have not applied for funding from your organization before. How can we get a sense of whether our ideas are likely to be a good fit to your needs?
A: The solicitation comes from the Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research. You can see the range of ASCR interests by reading the titles of relevant reports and workshops.
Q: Should a proposal include information about current and pending support for all senior personnel or only for the PI and co-PIs?
A: If someone contributes enough to the proposed activity that the proposal includes a bio-sketch for him/her, it should include current and pending support info for that person as well. The intent is to make sure that 1) the proposed work would not be duplicative and 2) the researchers have time to do what is proposed if an award is made.
Q: What is the B&R Code to be used on the Lab FWP?
A: The B&R code is KJ0401.
Q: Can the CD and hard copies of the proposal be sent in after the April 26, 2010 11:59 pm deadline, provided the FWP and/or Grants.gov submission is completed by the deadline? The question is specifically with regard to the FedEx requirements.
A: The submission deadline applies to the FWP and Grants.gov submission process. Yes, the CD and hardcopies can be sent after this deadline.
Q. Are you serious about the 20-page limit for the project narrative? Even for collaborative proposals involving several institutions?
A. Yes to both questions. Note, however, that this limit applies only to the project narrative. Pages for the bibliography, bio sketches, current/pending support, etc. do not count toward the 20-page limit.
Q. How will the proposals be reviewed?
A. The proposals will be reviewed in panel reviews in late May.
