Notice2021-17658
Assessing the National and International Standing of BER Basic Research
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 18, 2021
Issuing agencies
Energy Department
Abstract
The Biological and Environmental Research (BER) Program, as DOE's coordinating office for research on biological systems, bioenergy, environmental science, and Earth system science, is seeking input on technical and logistical pathways that would enhance the BER research portfolio in comparison to similar international research efforts.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 157 (Wednesday, August 18, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 18, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 46233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17658]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Assessing the National and International Standing of BER Basic
Research
AGENCY: Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research
Program, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Request for information.
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SUMMARY: The Biological and Environmental Research (BER) Program, as
DOE's coordinating office for research on biological systems,
bioenergy, environmental science, and Earth system science, is seeking
input on technical and logistical pathways that would enhance the BER
research portfolio in comparison to similar international research
efforts.
DATES: Written comments and information are requested on or before
October 31, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons may submit comments by email only.
Comments must be sent to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#81c3c4d3c0c2d3c7c8c1f2e2e8e4efe2e4afe5eee4afe6eef7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="40020512010312060900332329252e23256e242f256e272f36">[email protected]</span></a> with the subject line
``BER research benchmarking''.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Tristram O. West, (301) 903-5155,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1c486e756f686e7d71326b796f685c6f7f7579727f7932787379327b736a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4d193f243e393f2c20633a283e390d3e2e2428232e2863292228632a223b">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A charge was issued from the Director of
Office of Science on October 8, 2020, to the BER Advisory Committee
(BERAC) to assess BER's standing in relation to related research
efforts nationally and internationally, and to consider strategies that
would increase BER's ability to conduct world-class science in core BER
research areas. The Director's charge letter may be found here: <a href="https://science.osti.gov/ber/berac/Reports/Current-BERAC-Charges">https://science.osti.gov/ber/berac/Reports/Current-BERAC-Charges</a>.
The information collected through this request, in addition to
other informational sources, may be used by BERAC to develop strategies
to further strengthen BER's research capabilities. The conclusions
drawn from BERAC's effort are expected to serve as a benchmark for
BER's standing in core research areas and provide strategies for
improvement where appropriate.
Request for Information
The objective of this request for information is to gather
information on BER's standing in relation to related research efforts
occurring nationally and internationally, and how BER might increase
its stature in conducting world-class basic science currently supported
by BER (<a href="https://science.osti.gov/ber/Research">https://science.osti.gov/ber/Research</a>). Supported research
includes Atmospheric Science; Earth and Environmental System Modeling;
Environmental Science; Bioenergy and Bioproducts; Plant and Microbial
Genomics; Data Analytics and Management; and Scientific User-focused
Infrastructure (i.e., DOE User Facilities, Computational Knowledgebase
Platforms, Community Observational and Analytical Resources).
Information is specifically requested on the status of current
capabilities, partnerships, funding mechanisms, and workforce
development specific to one or more of the aforementioned research
areas. Answers or information related, but not limited, to the
following questions are specifically requested:
<bullet> Within the BER-supported topical research areas and
facility capabilities, in which areas and capabilities, presently or in
the foreseeable future, does BER lead in the international community,
and in which areas does leadership require strengthening? In
identifying these areas, please consider their critical mission
relevance, recent history, the status quo, observable trends, and
evidence-based projections.
<bullet> Are there key international partnerships that could
strengthen BER science output and increase global visibility of BER?
<bullet> Is there a preferred optimization for organizing research,
collaboration, and funding mechanisms among labs, universities, and
other federal agencies to preserve and foster U.S. leadership with
resource constraints? Are there other key efficiencies and balances
that should be considered and modified to improve U.S. leadership in
BER research areas?
<bullet> How can BER programs and facilities be structured and
managed to create incentives that will attract and retain talented
people deciding whether to pursue a scientific career, as well as mid-
career scientists considering whether to stay in the U.S.?
<bullet> What are the key opportunities for BER in attracting and
enhancing careers in BER-supported scientific fields?
While the questions provided above can help guide thinking on this
topic, any input is welcome which may help DOE assess BER's
international standing in the core research areas. The information
provided through this request should be presented as specific
strategies which DOE Office of Science could implement and track.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on August 11,
2021, by Dr. J. Stephen Binkley, Acting Director, Office of Science,
pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. The
document with the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For
administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of
the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal
Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the
document in electronic format for publication, as an official document
of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way
alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the
Federal Register.
Signed in Washington, DC, on August 12, 2021.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2021-17658 Filed 8-17-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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