<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
</head>
<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000">
<font size="+1">An important element of Jefferson Lab’s Strategic
Plan is the implementation of a Laboratory Directed Research and
Development (LDRD) program. The lab began such a program in FY14
and it has already provided a substantial return on the
investments made. We are now soliciting proposals for new LDRD
projects that would begin in October 2017 (and continuation
proposals from projects underway that will not be completed this
year).
<br>
<br>
A draft calendar for the FY2018 program, which provides deadline
information and outlines the LDRD evaluation process, is posted on
the LDRD website (<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="http://www.jlab.org/div_dept/ldrd/">http://www.jlab.org/div_dept/ldrd/</a>
). The <b>due date for formal proposals is April 28</b>. If
desired, you may <b>submit an optional Letter of Intent</b> (LOI)
briefly outlining your plans for a proposal <b>no later than
March 6</b>, and the lab will provide feedback no later than
March 27. In addition to the calendar, the LDRD website provides
templates and instructions for both proposals and LOIs, as well as
a budget spreadsheet template and a Frequently Asked Questions
section. The remainder of this note describes the LDRD program
briefly. If you have further questions please contact either the
associate director of your Division or LDRD Program Manager Larry
Cardman; <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:Cardman@jlab.org">Cardman@jlab.org</a>.
<br>
<br>
The Laboratory Directed Research and Development at JLab enables
the lab to respond to timely scientific and technological
opportunities that also support DOE's research and development
mission. This program will be a critical tool for directing the
lab's forefront scientific research capabilities towards vital,
excellent and emerging scientific challenges. The program provides
the resources for JLab scientists to make rapid and significant
contributions to critical national science and technology problems
of mission relevance to JLab and the DOE. LDRD also can advance
the lab's core scientific capability, and permits seeding and
exploration of exciting new opportunities.<br>
<br>
Areas eligible for support will include:
<br>
• Advanced study of new hypotheses, new concepts and innovative
approaches to scientific or technical problems;
<br>
• Experiments directed towards "proof-of-principle" or early
determination of the utility of new scientific ideas, technical
concepts or devices; and
<br>
• Conception and preliminary technical analysis of experimental
facilities or devices.
<br>
<br>
Within these eligible research areas, the LDRD program is
conducted with a scale of effort typically utilizing existing
research facilities. The projects can be characterized as:
<br>
• Small-scale research and development activities or pilot
projects;
<br>
• Bench-scale research projects; or
<br>
• Computer modeling, conceptual design and feasibility studies,
or computer algorithm or methodology development.
<br>
<br>
We have identified several areas of strategic value to the future
of the Laboratory that would benefit from R&D. These
particular areas are:
<br>
• addressing the remaining R&D issues for the Jefferson Lab
Electron Ion Collider design,
<br>
• utilizing heterogeneous architecture in scientific computing
beyond LQCD, an essential element of advancing computing to the
exascale,
<br>
• development of technologies for i) medical and biological
imaging and ii) the application of particle beams, and
<br>
• addressing R&D issues relevant for new research
directions using our existing facilities.
<br>
<br>
The JLab call for LDRD proposals does not specify particular
directions, as we prefer to receive proposals on a wide selection
of potential topics. However, relevance to these strategic areas
is given strong consideration in the evaluation of the LDRD
proposals.
<br>
<br>
Consistent with DOE policy, funding cannot be used for
construction line-item projects, maintenance projects or general
purpose equipment acquisition. Projects may not substitute for, or
increase the budget of, projects or tasks already funded at JLab
by DOE or other sponsors.
<br>
<br>
JLab's LDRD program will provide an opportunity to advance the
lab's mission as described in the JLab Strategic Plan. This year,
the lab anticipates a funding level between $0.75M and $1.0M
(including overhead) for LDRD; however, the final budget will
depend on the overall FY18 budget for the lab, which is still
under development. We are now aiming at a sustainable program
within that overall budget envelope, including potential
continuing support for three of the four projects underway in FY17
(assuming their continuation is judged to be merited). The exact
level will also be subject to the realities of the final FY18
budgets. Proposals may request a single year of funding or up to
three years, with an upper bound of $0.25 M/year in direct
funding. Proposers are encouraged to consider this in developing
their proposals and should consult with the cognizant AD(s) at a
very early stage. Proposals that are cross-cutting, engaging and
leveraging the core capabilities across multiple divisions are
welcomed, and the relevant ADs each participate in the review of
such proposals.
<br>
<br>
- Bob McKeown<br>
<br>
<br>
</font>
</body>
</html>