The DOE SC program in Biological and Environmental
Research (BER), through its Bioimaging Research effort, hereby announces its
interest in receiving innovative applications to advance fundamental research
or use-inspired technologies of new bioimaging or sensing approaches.
Fundamental research to enhance spatial and temporal resolution, measurement
speed, long-term sample stability, selectivity, sensitivity, or chemical
specificity of bioimaging technologies are desirable. Proposed research should
demonstrate a comparative advantage over state-of-the-art techniques or
identify biological characteristics that cannot currently be measured.
Quantum-enabled technologies are allowed but not required in this FOA.
Applications can be submitted under one of two subtopics: 1) Novel research
concepts proceeding through technical validation that are not required to
evaluate new biological hypotheses; 2) Innovative experimental prototype
research proceeding through hypothesis-driven biological experimentation; proposals
submitted under this subtopic are encouraged to coordinate with biological
collaborators if domain expertise is not in-house. All applications are
expected to describe how, if realized, they would advance biological knowledge
of plant and microbial systems relevant to bioeconomy or environmental research
in fields of study supported by BER.

BER is soliciting applications in the following subtopic
areas:

1) fundamental imaging or sensing research from concept
to validation - Under this subtopic applications could evaluate, untested
concepts, and theoretical models, develop novel experimental prototypes and
validate measurement accuracy against known technical or biological validation
standards.

2) evaluation of biological hypotheses or questions with
feasible, use-inspired prototype - Under this subtopic research of experimental prototypes
of instruments and methods that will include demonstration of feasibility
leading to hypothesis-driven biological experimentation to demonstrate value to
the user community. This FOA does not solicit late-stage optimization after
initial prototype research, or engineering development of resources, or
equipment.

Funding: Research Grant Awards are expected to be made at a funding level
appropriate for the proposed scope, with future support contingent on the
availability of funds and satisfactory progress. It is anticipated that award
sizes may range from a total of $600,000 to $2,350,000. Typically, awards have
been less than $750,000 per year, with a median award size between $500,000 per
year and $700,000 per year. It is anticipated that award sizes may range from a
total of $600,000 to $2,350,000. Typically, awards have been less than $750,000
per year, with a median award size between $500,000 per year and $700,000 per
year. (The budget floor is $200,000.)

Project Period: 3 years

Cost sharing: Not required.