Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing: Runaway Electron Avoidance and Mitigation in Tokamak Plasmas | DE FOA 0001844

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001844

The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, through the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) and the Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR), offered this funding opportunity under the Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing (SciDAC) program to push forward research on runaway electrons in magnetically confined plasmas, especially in tokamak devices. Runaway electrons are a major concern for fusion experiments because they can be generated during plasma disruptions and, if not controlled, can damage plasma-facing components. The opportunity is framed around improving the scientific understanding and predictive capability needed to avoid runaway electron generation when possible and to mitigate their effects when avoidance is not feasible. In practical terms, DOE is looking for projects that can translate advanced physics understanding into modeling and simulation tools that help fusion researchers anticipate runaway behavior and design more effective control strategies.

A central theme of the announcement is the creation of a "scientific application partnership" that brings together multi-institutional, interdisciplinary teams. That wording signals that DOE expected collaborations spanning plasma physicists, applied mathematicians, computational scientists, and high-performance computing (HPC) experts, rather than isolated single-investigator efforts. The SciDAC model typically emphasizes tight integration between domain science and computational advances, so the projects were expected not only to study runaway electron physics, but also to deliver scalable computational approaches capable of exploiting DOE leadership-class supercomputers. The purpose is to accelerate discovery by making full use of modern multi-petascale DOE HPC systems, meaning applicants were expected to demonstrate credible plans for large-scale simulation, code performance, and the ability to run efficiently on big machines.

The scientific motivation is described as strategically important to magnetic fusion energy science and aligned with high-priority issues identified in recent community studies. That language indicates DOE viewed runaway electron avoidance and mitigation as a top-tier gap standing between present-day tokamak operations and reliable future fusion devices. By funding work in this area, the program aimed to strengthen the predictive science base for disruption scenarios, quantify runaway electron generation and transport mechanisms, and improve the modeling needed to test mitigation techniques virtually before applying them in experiments. While the announcement does not list specific technical deliverables in the excerpt provided, the emphasis on "accelerate scientific discovery" through HPC implies outcomes like improved physics models, validated simulation capabilities, and better integration of theory, computation, and experimental relevance.

From an administrative and funding standpoint, this was a discretionary DOE Office of Science funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0001844) using a cooperative agreement mechanism. A cooperative agreement generally means DOE anticipated substantial involvement during the project, such as coordinated milestones, regular reviews, and close collaboration to ensure the work remains aligned with program goals. The activity category is science and technology research and development, with CFDA number 81.049. Eligibility was listed as unrestricted (open to a broad range of entity types), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full announcement.

Key dates and scale are also clearly defined. The opportunity was created March 9, 2018, with an original closing date of May 14, 2018, giving applicants roughly two months to assemble multi-institutional teams and prepare proposals. The award ceiling was listed at $2,000,000, and DOE anticipated up to 20 awards. Taken together, those numbers suggest an intent to seed a portfolio of coordinated projects or partnerships in this area, supporting multiple efforts that collectively advance the science and computational capability needed to address runaway electron challenges in tokamak plasmas.

In short, this SciDAC call was designed to unite fusion science and advanced computing to tackle runaway electron risks in tokamaks, emphasizing team-based partnerships, high-end simulation on DOE supercomputers, and progress toward predictive, actionable understanding that supports both avoidance and mitigation strategies for disruption-driven runaway electrons.

• 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 "Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing: Runaway Electron Avoidance and Mitigation in Tokamak Plasmas" 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 Mar 09, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 14, 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 $2,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 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.

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