Amendment means the written document executed by a DOE Contracting Officer that changes one or more terms or conditions of an existing financial assistance award.

Award means the written document executed by a DOE Contracting Officer, after an application is approved, which contains the terms and conditions for providing financial assistance to the recipient.

Budget period means the interval of time, specified in the award, into which a project is divided for budgeting and funding purposes.

Continuation award means an award for a succeeding or subsequent budget period after the initial budget period of either an approved project period or renewal thereof.

Contract means a written procurement contract executed by a recipient or subrecipient for the acquisition of property or services under a financial assistance award.

Contracting Officer means the DOE official authorized to execute awards on behalf of DOE and who is responsible for the business management and non-program aspects of the financial assistance process.

Cost sharing or matching means that portion of project or programs costs not borne by the Federal Government.

DOE Patent Counsel means the Department of Energy Patent Counsel assisting the Contracting Officer in the review and coordination of patents and data related items.

Financial assistance means the transfer of money or property to a recipient or subrecipient to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by Federal statute. For purposes of this part, financial assistance instruments are grants and cooperative agreements and subawards.

Head of Contracting Activity or HCA means a DOE official with senior management authority for the award and administration of financial assistance instruments within one or more DOE organizational elements.

Merit review means a thorough, consistent, and objective examination of applications based on pre-established criteria by persons who are independent of those submitting the applications and who are knowledgeable in the field of endeavor for which support is requested.

Nonprofit organization means any corporation, trust, foundation, or institution which is entitled to exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or which is not organized for profit and no part of the net earnings of which inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual (except that the definition of “nonprofit organization” at 48 CFR 27.301 shall apply for patent matters set forth at §§ 600.136 and 600.325).

Program rule means a rule issued by a DOE program office for the award and administration of financial assistance which may describe the program's purpose or objectives, eligibility requirements for applicants, types of program activities or areas to be supported, evaluation and selection process, cost sharing requirements, etc. These rules usually supplement the generic policies and procedures for financial assistance contained in this part.

Project means the set of activities described in an application, State plan, or other document that is approved by DOE for financial assistance (whether such financial assistance represents all or only a portion of the support necessary to carry out those activities.)

Project period means the total period of time indicated in an award during which DOE expects to provide financial assistance. A project period may consist of one or more budget periods and may be extended by DOE.

Recipient means the organization, individual, or other entity that receives an award from DOE and is financially accountable for the use of any DOE funds or property provided for the performance of the project, and is legally responsible for carrying out the terms and conditions of the award.

Renewal award means an award which adds one or more additional budget periods to an existing project period.

Research and development means all research activities, both basic and applied, and all development activities that are supported at universities, colleges, and other non-profit institutions and commercial organizations. “Research” is defined as a systematic study directed toward fuller scientific knowledge or understanding of the subject studied. The term research also includes activities involving the training of individuals in research techniques where such activities utilize the same facilities as other research and development activities and where such activities are not included in the instruction function. “Development” is the systematic use of knowledge and understanding gained from research directed toward the production of useful materials, devices, systems, or methods, including design and development of prototypes and processes.

Total Project Cost means all allowable costs, as set forth in the applicable Federal cost principles, incurred in accomplishing the objective of the project during the project period, including the value of contributions made by third parties and costs incurred by Federally Funded Research and Development Centers.