2022 Mathematical Multifaceted Integrated Capability Centers (MMICCs) | DE FOA 0002704

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 2022 Mathematical Multifaceted Integrated Capability Centers (MMICCs) (DE-FOA-0002704)

What is the MMICC funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0002704)?

The 2022 Mathematical Multifaceted Integrated Capability Centers (MMICCs) opportunity (DE-FOA-0002704) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) solicitation that supports basic research in applied mathematics and scientific computing.

What is the main goal of the MMICC program?

The central goal is to establish new, large-scale, collaborative research centers that develop foundational mathematical, statistical, and computational capabilities needed to tackle DOE mission challenges in energy, the environment, and national security. The program emphasizes broadly enabling advances rather than narrowly focused solutions to a single application.

Which DOE office is sponsoring this solicitation?

This solicitation is sponsored by the DOE Office of Science within the Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) program.

What kinds of research does MMICC support?

MMICC supports basic research in applied mathematics and scientific computing, including foundational mathematical, statistical, and computational work intended to enable major advances in scientific discovery, engineering design, optimization, and decision-support for complex systems.

Is this program intended to solve a single, specific application problem?

No. The solicitation explicitly contrasts its goals with narrowly targeted work focused on solving a single, specific science or engineering application. Instead, it seeks integrated, broadly useful mathematical advances that can be adopted and extended across DOE-relevant problem settings.

What makes an MMICC different from a typical research award?

A defining feature is the center concept and its emphasis on multidisciplinary integration across the full problem-solving pipeline. The centers are expected to connect mathematical formulation, development of new models and methods, rigorous analysis, integration into cohesive toolsets or workflows, and credible demonstrations of capability and performance.

What does "multifaceted" and "integrated capability" mean in this solicitation?

In this context, it means the work should span multiple connected stages: (1) formulation of challenging classes of problems, (2) development and analysis of new mathematical/statistical/computational approaches, (3) integration into interoperable toolsets or workflows, and (4) demonstrations that credibly show performance and usefulness for complex DOE-relevant settings.

What is the expected scope of a proposed center?

The opportunity describes centers as large-scale and collaborative, designed to address broad classes of challenges that require integrated efforts across mathematics, statistics, and computation. Proposals are expected to show why a center-style structure accelerates progress beyond what individual investigators could achieve independently.

What types of deliverables or outcomes does DOE appear to be looking for?

Based on the solicitation description, the program is looking for durable and interoperable mathematical foundations and capabilities, integrated into cohesive toolsets or workflows, supported by rigorous theoretical and numerical analysis, and backed by credible demonstrations showing the resulting capabilities and performance.

How important is software or workflow integration to an MMICC proposal?

Integration is a core expectation. The solicitation states that centers should do more than produce isolated algorithmic ideas; they are intended to integrate advances into cohesive, interoperable capabilities or workflows and demonstrate credible performance.

Does the solicitation mention computing architecture or evolving computing paradigms?

Yes. The program expects proposed work to be cognizant of how computing is evolving so that the resulting mathematics and methods remain relevant and effective as architectures, software ecosystems, and computational constraints change.

Which mission areas are explicitly referenced?

The solicitation references DOE mission challenges in energy (including priorities reflected in the Energy Earthshots Initiative), the environment, and national security.

How does the Energy Earthshots Initiative relate to this opportunity?

The description notes that energy challenges include priorities reflected in the Energy Earthshots Initiative, positioning Earthshots-related priorities as part of the broader energy mission context for which enabling mathematical capabilities may be valuable.

What is the activity category and CFDA number?

The activity category is "science and technology and other research and development," and the CFDA number listed is 81.049.

Who is eligible to apply?

The eligibility is listed as unrestricted, subject to any additional eligibility language in the full announcement.

What award mechanisms are available under this solicitation?

The solicitation supports multiple award mechanisms, including cooperative agreements, grants, and other instruments, including procurement contracts.

How many awards did DOE anticipate making?

DOE anticipated making about four awards.

What is the maximum (ceiling) amount per award?

The award ceiling is listed as $6,000,000 per award.

When was this funding opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on April 14, 2022. The original closing date was June 28, 2022.

What kind of research plan does the solicitation suggest for a strong MMICC proposal?

The description indicates proposals would be expected to: justify why the targeted class of challenges requires new integrated efforts across mathematics, statistics, and computation; present a coordinated plan aimed at fundamental advances (not just incremental improvements); and explain how a center-style team structure enables faster or more effective progress than separate, independent efforts.

What does the solicitation say about "fundamental advances" versus incremental work?

It highlights that proposals should aim for fundamental advances and not merely incremental improvements, aligning with the goal of enabling major leaps in capability for complex DOE-relevant problem settings.

Does the program encourage multidisciplinary teams?

Yes. Multidisciplinary integration is central to the MMICC concept, spanning mathematics, statistics, and computation across the end-to-end pipeline from formulation through demonstration.

What does "credible demonstrations" mean in the context of this FOA?

Based on the provided description, credible demonstrations refer to showing that the integrated capabilities and workflows work in practice and that their performance and usefulness can be meaningfully demonstrated for complex DOE-relevant problem settings, not just described conceptually.

Is the solicitation focused on basic research or applied deployment?

The solicitation is aimed at supporting basic research in applied mathematics and scientific computing, while also expecting integration into usable capabilities and demonstrations of performance.

Why does the solicitation emphasize a center model?

The program language points to flexibility and technical breadth as key advantages of the center model, allowing teams to address formulation, model development, method and algorithm design, theoretical and numerical analysis, integration into usable capabilities, and demonstration within one coordinated effort.