Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002457
The Stewardship Science Academic Alliances (SSAA) Program is a U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) grant opportunity that funds cutting-edge, fundamental research at U.S. academic institutions. Created in 2002, the program is designed to strengthen the scientific foundation that supports the Stockpile Stewardship Program (SSP) mission by investing in physical science and technology areas that matter to national security needs. A key theme of SSAA is building and sustaining a pipeline of highly trained scientists and engineers at U.S. universities, especially in specialized research areas that may not be well covered by other federal funding sources. In practice, the program is meant to do two things at once: advance core science relevant to stewardship and help develop the next generation STEM workforce that DOE/NNSA will rely on in the future.
This particular funding announcement (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0002457) invites applications for both new awards and renewals of existing SSAA grants. The NNSA Office of Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation is the sponsoring office, and it is specifically seeking university-led research proposals that align with SSAA priorities. Applicants who currently hold an SSAA award and want to continue their work are expected to apply under this announcement as a renewal submission.
The research focus areas highlighted for this round are concentrated in several technical domains central to stewardship science. These include: (1) properties of materials under extreme conditions and in energetic environments, which covers how materials behave when subjected to very high pressures, temperatures, strain rates, or radiation fields; (2) hydrodynamics, instabilities, and hydrosonics, which broadly relates to fluid and plasma behavior, the growth of instabilities, and wave or shock phenomena that influence system performance; and (3) low energy nuclear science and radiochemistry, which includes nuclear processes at relatively low energies along with chemical and analytical work involving radioactive materials and signatures. Together, these areas reflect the program's emphasis on fundamental science that supports predictive capabilities and experimental understanding relevant to the SSP mission.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant program (not a procurement contract), listed under Assistance Listing/CFDA number 81.112, within the funding activity category "Energy." The agency anticipated making about 30 awards, with an award ceiling listed as $300,000. The opportunity was posted May 6, 2021, with an original closing date of July 6, 2021. Eligibility is summarized as "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement, which typically means applicants should consult the official FOA text to confirm exactly which institution types and proposal structures qualify.
Overall, the SSAA Program opportunity supports university research that is both scientifically ambitious and strategically relevant to NNSA stewardship needs, while also emphasizing student and workforce development through hands-on research training in highly specialized fields.Apply for DE FOA 0002457
- The Department of Energy, NNSA in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "STEWARDSHIP SCIENCE ACADEMIC ALLIANCES PROGRAM" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.112.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 06, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 06, 2021. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Stewardship Science Academic Alliances (SSAA) Program (DE-FOA-0002457) FAQs
What is the Stewardship Science Academic Alliances (SSAA) Program?
The Stewardship Science Academic Alliances (SSAA) Program is a U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) grant program that funds cutting-edge, fundamental research at U.S. academic institutions. It was created in 2002 to strengthen the scientific foundation that supports the Stockpile Stewardship Program (SSP) mission.
What is the purpose of this funding opportunity?
This funding opportunity is meant to support university-led research that advances core science relevant to stewardship while also helping develop the next generation STEM workforce. A central theme is building and sustaining a pipeline of highly trained scientists and engineers in specialized areas that may not be well covered by other federal funding sources.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0002457.
Does this announcement support new awards, renewals, or both?
It invites applications for both new awards and renewals of existing SSAA grants. If you currently hold an SSAA award and want to continue the work, this announcement is the expected path for submitting a renewal application.
Which DOE/NNSA office is sponsoring this opportunity?
The sponsoring office is the NNSA Office of Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation.
Who is the program trying to fund under this FOA?
The FOA is specifically seeking university-led research proposals that align with SSAA priorities and support national security-related stewardship science needs.
What are the main research focus areas in this round?
The research focus areas highlighted are concentrated in several technical domains central to stewardship science:
- Properties of materials under extreme conditions and in energetic environments (how materials behave under very high pressures, temperatures, strain rates, or radiation fields)
- Hydrodynamics, instabilities, and hydrosonics (fluid and plasma behavior, instability growth, and wave/shock phenomena that influence system performance)
- Low energy nuclear science and radiochemistry (nuclear processes at relatively low energies, plus chemical and analytical work involving radioactive materials and signatures)
What does "materials under extreme conditions and in energetic environments" mean in practice?
In this announcement, it refers to fundamental research on how materials behave when subjected to extreme regimes such as very high pressure, very high temperature, high strain-rate loading, or radiation fields. The goal is improved experimental understanding and predictive capability relevant to stewardship science.
What topics fall under "hydrodynamics, instabilities, and hydrosonics" for this FOA?
This area broadly relates to fluid and plasma behavior, the growth of instabilities, and wave or shock phenomena. These topics matter because they can influence overall system behavior and performance in stewardship-relevant contexts.
What topics fall under "low energy nuclear science and radiochemistry" for this FOA?
This area includes nuclear processes at relatively low energies and also includes chemical and analytical work involving radioactive materials and signatures. The emphasis is on fundamental science and measurement/analysis relevant to stewardship needs.
Is this opportunity a grant or a contract?
This is a discretionary grant program (assistance), not a procurement contract.
What is the Assistance Listing/CFDA number for this program?
The Assistance Listing/CFDA number is 81.112.
What is the funding activity category listed for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is listed as "Energy."
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The agency anticipated making about 30 awards.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The award ceiling is listed as $300,000.
When was this opportunity posted, and what was the closing date?
The opportunity was posted on May 6, 2021, with an original closing date of July 6, 2021.
Who is eligible to apply based on the summary provided?
Eligibility is summarized as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement. Based on the description provided, the program funds research at U.S. academic institutions and seeks university-led proposals, but applicants should consult the official FOA text to confirm the specific institution types and proposal structures that qualify.
Where should applicants look for the exact eligibility rules and proposal requirements?
The summary indicates that additional eligibility details are referenced in the full announcement, so the official FOA text is the place to confirm exactly which institution types and proposal structures qualify.
What is the Stockpile Stewardship Program (SSP), and how does SSAA relate to it?
The SSAA Program is designed to strengthen the scientific foundation that supports the Stockpile Stewardship Program mission by investing in physical science and technology areas that matter to national security needs.
Is workforce or student development part of the program's intent?
Yes. A key theme is building and sustaining a pipeline of highly trained scientists and engineers at U.S. universities. The opportunity emphasizes student and workforce development through hands-on research training in specialized fields.
What kind of research does SSAA prioritize: fundamental or applied?
This opportunity emphasizes cutting-edge, fundamental research that supports predictive capabilities and experimental understanding relevant to stewardship needs.
What is the overall goal of funding these specific technical areas?
Together, the focus areas reflect an emphasis on fundamental science that supports predictive capabilities and experimental understanding relevant to the Stockpile Stewardship Program mission and broader NNSA stewardship needs.
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| Integrated Microgrids Apply for W81EWF22SOI0003 Funding Number: W81EWF22SOI0003 Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- Corps of Engineers Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
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| Direct Air Capture Combined With Dedicated Long-Term Carbon Storage, Coupled to Existing Low-Carbon Energy Apply for DE FOA 0002560 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002560 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $4,375,000 |
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