Fiscal Year 2024 Phase II Continuation Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research | DE FOA 0003039

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003039

The Fiscal Year 2024 Phase II Continuation Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research (CINR) funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0003039) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through the Idaho Field Office, under CFDA 81.121. It is designed specifically as a "Phase II continuation" pathway for university teams that have already demonstrated strong performance under the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP). In practical terms, it is meant to help high-quality NEUP efforts continue and evolve into new, competitive projects that build on prior results rather than starting from scratch, with the goal of increasing the overall impact of DOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) research investments.

The central purpose of the FOA is to advance nuclear energy science and technology in ways that directly support U.S. energy, environmental, and economic needs. DOE-NE frames this around four mission priorities that applicants must align with. Those priorities are: keeping the existing U.S. nuclear reactor fleet operating (which often implies work related to reliability, safety, materials aging, fuels, instrumentation, and cost-effective operations); deploying new nuclear reactors (commonly associated with advanced reactor concepts, licensing-enabling research, innovative components, improved construction/commissioning approaches, and technology maturation); securing and sustaining the nuclear fuel cycle (covering fuels, enrichment, fabrication, recycling options, waste minimization approaches tied to NE scope, and resilience of fuel supply chains); and expanding international nuclear energy cooperation (which can include collaborative technical work and frameworks that strengthen U.S. leadership and interoperability, as long as it fits NE mission needs). A key screening point is that every application must show a strong, explicit connection to at least one of these priorities and also explain how the work supports broader DOE priorities.

DOE also emphasizes that NE-sponsored activities are expected to contribute to department-wide objectives such as addressing the climate crisis, supporting clean energy jobs (including a stated emphasis on fair opportunities to join a union and bargain collectively), and promoting equity and environmental justice by delivering innovative clean energy technologies for nuclear energy systems. For applicants, that means the narrative is not only about technical merit; it also needs to clearly describe anticipated public benefits, workforce implications, and how the project contributes to clean energy outcomes in a way consistent with DOE priorities.

This FOA is not an open-ended nuclear science solicitation. DOE-NE explicitly notes that proposals in areas outside NE mission interest will not be reviewed or considered. Examples called out include fusion energy, medical physics, nuclear forensics, and environmental management. The intent is to keep the portfolio focused on nuclear energy R&D and enabling infrastructure that strengthens the civilian nuclear energy sector, rather than adjacent or separate nuclear disciplines.

On the research side, the opportunity supports crosscutting nuclear energy research, development, and associated infrastructure activities. The emphasis is on innovative technologies with the potential for dramatically improved performance relative to current practice, while also making efficient use of NE resources. In other words, DOE is looking for work that is both relevant and impactful: projects should either solve persistent operational challenges, reduce costs and timelines for deployment, strengthen fuel cycle security and sustainability, or otherwise address barriers that matter for real-world nuclear energy outcomes.

Structurally, this is executed through NEUP, which is DOE-NE's main mechanism for supporting university-based nuclear energy R&D and infrastructure. The Phase II continuation concept is meant to create a bridge from earlier NEUP efforts into a next stage of work that complements and enhances ongoing NEUP research, rather than duplicating it. The FOA also signals that projects will be selected through a competitive application and review process, so even though it is positioned as a continuation pathway, it is still a competition with limited awards.

In terms of basic program logistics, the submission deadline listed is November 14, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. DOE anticipates making about 4 awards, and the maximum award amount (ceiling) is $3,333,333. Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, including both public/state-controlled universities and private universities. The funding instrument is a grant, and the overall activity category is energy research and development aligned to DOE-NE priorities.

Finally, DOE-NE makes clear that the priorities described in the FOA reflect current and upcoming R&D directions, but they reserve the right to adjust their response to shifting conditions during FY 2024. Those shifts could be driven by external events, policy developments, or Congressional and budget guidance. DOE also reserves the right to fund all or only part of an application, which is a common federal practice that allows the agency to support specific high-value portions of proposed work or align funding levels with available appropriations and portfolio needs.

• The Department of Energy, Idaho Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fiscal Year 2024 Phase II Continuation Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.121.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 12, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 14, 2023 Due Date November 14, 2023, at 500 p.m. ET. (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 $3,333,333.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for DE FOA 0003039

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