DOE Expectations/Requirements from Relationships with Universities: 



DOE expectations for university research vary by sponsoring program ofTice: 



• Office of Energy Research: world-class scientific research which advances scientific understanding and 

 knowledge of energy-related phenomena; research results should also lead to new technical concepts or ap- 

 proaches for future energy technologies; preparation of next generation of scientists and engineers. 



• DOE Technology Program Offices: assistance in solving mid-term energy technology problems/issues, e.g., 

 biomass conversion, coal desulfurization, etc. 



• High Energy Physics/Fusion Energy Programs: construction (and operation as appropriate) of large, com- 

 plex detectors, fusion devices, etc. 



Other expectations include ensuring that DOE-sponsored university research is of the highest scientific and 

 technical merit and that such research is relevant to DOE mission needs and that results are rapidly disseminated to 

 interested users including industry. 



Issues with Current Relationships/Barriers to an Effective Relationship: 



There are several key issues which currently affect the DOE-university research partnership. These are as fol- 

 lows: 



Limited funds significantly reduce number of meritorious research projects that can be supported; 



Continued need to ensure strong and positive research relationships between DOE national laboratories and 

 university research community within context of static research budgets and changing laboratory roles and 

 missions resulting from defense build-down; 



Oversupply of Ph.D's versus available funds in selected research areas, e.g., condensed matter physics, etc.. 



Increasing demands for accountability and oversight leading to excessive administrative burdens on both 

 the agency and the university; 



Congressional direction of funds (over $100 million in certain fiscal years) has undermined merit review 

 process and has adversely impacted funding for research; 



Interdisciplinary nature of many important problems in energy not easily dealt with by disciplinary struc- 

 ture of most universities; 



DOE programs often need research results/information on a "predictable" schedule, while university man- 

 power development requires a more flexible schedule; 



Different standards on environment, safety and the conduct of technical operations can exist between DOE 

 and those universities responsible for managing large, DOE-sponsored programs and facilities; 



The incompatibility between agency funding and planning cycles and the university environment can lead 

 to coimnunications difficulties and potential funding gaps; 



Support for agency specialized mission needs can distort the academic balance; 



The decentralized nature of DOE programmatic support can lead to administrative inconsistencies between 

 DOE programs in supjxjrt for university research. 



Elements/Characteristics of a Productive Future Relationship: 



The essential elements of ensuring a strong and productive relationship between DOE and the academic re- 

 search community include: 



• Rebuild sense of partnership between DOE and the RIU community by sharing views on major priorities in 

 research and on the balance of funding among research fields; 



39 



