2018 Mathematical Multifaceted Integrated Capability Centers (MMICCs) | DE FOA 0001900

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001900

The 2018 Mathematical Multifaceted Integrated Capability Centers (MMICCs) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0001900) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science solicitation run through the Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR). It supports basic research in applied mathematics and related areas that tackles foundational challenges tied to DOE mission needs in energy, the environment, and national security. The central idea is to fund new center-style teams that can build integrated mathematical, statistical, and computational capabilities aimed at improving scientific discovery, system design, optimization, and decision-support for complex modern scientific and energy-research problems.

A key feature of this program is that it is not meant for projects narrowly aimed at solving one specific science or engineering application in isolation. Instead, DOE is looking for broader, more fundamental and reusable advances that cut across disciplines and can serve as enabling technology for many problems. In practice, the MMICC concept emphasizes developing core mathematical tools, theories, algorithms, and frameworks that address an entire problem-solving pipeline. That includes the initial mathematical formulation, the design and analysis of models and numerical methods, integration of methods into coherent toolchains, and demonstrations that show the resulting capabilities working together as an integrated whole.

The solicitation explicitly encourages large, collaborative, multidisciplinary teams of applied mathematics researchers who can attack problems in a more holistic way than a single-investigator effort. The intent is to create centers with the technical breadth to consider multiple aspects at once, such as modeling, uncertainty quantification, statistical inference, optimization, scalable algorithms, and computational implementation considerations. Another important theme is awareness of computing paradigms, meaning the centers should build capabilities that make sense not only for current high-performance computing environments but also for emerging architectures and workflows, so that the mathematics and algorithms remain relevant as computing platforms evolve.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a Cooperative Agreement, which generally implies substantial DOE involvement during the project (for example, coordinated milestones, active program management, and collaboration expectations beyond a standard grant). The CFDA number listed is 81.049, and eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning any entity type may apply as long as it meets any additional eligibility conditions described in the full announcement text. The opportunity was posted April 4, 2018, with an original closing date of May 23, 2018.

Funding levels indicate a relatively selective, center-scale program. The award ceiling is listed as $2,500,000, and DOE anticipated making about three awards. Overall, the program is best understood as an investment in integrated, cross-cutting mathematical and computational research centers that can create broadly enabling capabilities for DOE-relevant scientific computing challenges, rather than producing a solution to a single targeted application problem.

• The Department of Energy - Office of Science, Office of Science in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2018 Mathematical Multifaceted Integrated Capability Centers (MMICCs)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.049.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 04, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 23, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for DE FOA 0001900

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