U.S. Department of Energy, Oakland Operations Office, 1301 Clay Street, Room 700N, Oakland, CA 94612-5208

A -- RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT- NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH INITIATIVE (NERI) SOL DE-PS03-99SF21764;LAB NE-99-1 POC Denise Berry, Contract Specialist, (510) 637-1873 WEB: Click here to download a copy of the FAS, http://www.oak.doe.gov/financial/sol_page.html. E-MAIL: Click here to contact the Contract Specialist, denise.berry@oak.doe.gov. The Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, U.S. Department of Energy, is interested in receiving applications in response to a Financial Assistance Solicitation (FAS), through the award of grants and cooperative agreements for new and innovative scientific and engineering research and development in the field of nuclear energy as part of the Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (NERI). NERI is designed to support new and innovative research that can address the principal technical and scientific obstacles to future use of nuclear power in the U.S. NERI is also intended to reinvigorate the vital nuclear scientific and engineering infrastructure within U.S. universities, industry and DOE national laboratories. This Solicitation applies to applications from U.S. universities or other institutions of higher learning, industry, non-profit and R&D organizations and collaborations among organizations, including those in which DOE national laboratories are participating, but not as the lead organization. A separate Program Announcement is being issued simultaneously for applications in which a DOE national laboratory is the sole or lead performing organization. The anticipated issuance date of the Solicitation and Program Announcement is on or about October 30, 1998. Potential applicants are encouraged to submit a Notice of Intent to Apply by November 13, 1998. Potential applicants are also encouraged to submit a brief preapplication. All preapplications, referencing Solicitation No. DE-PS03-99SF21764 or Program Announcement No. LAB NE 99-1 should be received by DOE by 4:30 P.M. P.S.T., November 20, 1998. A response encouraging or discouraging a formal application will be communicated to the applicant on or about December 11, 1998. The due date for formal applications will be identified in the Solicitation. This Solicitation will be issued electronically, and hard copies will not be provided. Concerns interested in reviewing the Solicitation or wishing an electronic copy may download it on or afterthe issue date by accessing the following address via the internet: "http://www.oak.doe.gov/financial/sol_page.html" . There will be no printed or hard copies of the FAS mailed. If a hard copy is needed, this Solicitation will also be published in the Federal Register. If you do not have access to the internet, most public libraries have resources available to electronically access and download the FAS. CAUTION: This Solicitation and Program Announcement will be issued electronically as will any amendments thereto. It is therefore incumbent upon any interested parties to periodically access the above internet address in order to obtain any amendment and assure receipt of all updated information. Contact: Denise Berry Mail: DOE/OAK FAC 1301 Clay Street, 700N, Oakland, CA 94612-5208 Fax: (510) 637-2025 E-mail: "denise.berry@oak.doe.gov". Posted 10/23/98 (W-SN265076). (0296)

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