03a_Attachment II Questions and Answers Amendment 00001 31310024K0001.pdf

31310024K0001 ATTACHMENT II

Amendment 01

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS1

1) The “Unnamed” University is interested in submitting a proposal for the U.S. Nuclear

Regulatory Commission Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), Research and Development Grant.

Question: We have three separate campus locations (Location A, Location B, Location C). These campuses have their own separate EIN/DUNS numbers. May each of our campuses submit two (2) applications separately for this NOFO?

Answer: If each campus has its own UEI (Unique Entity ID), each campus can submit a maximum of two applications under the NOFO (31310024K0001). No more than two applications may be submitted under the same institution and UEI.

2) My colleague "Unnamed” and I are considering responding to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission NOFO University Nuclear Leadership Program, Research and Development Grant, Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. We are hoping to partner with a local institution, “Unnamed College”. "Unnamed College” is officially listed by the Department of Education as an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), with full status expected in February 2025 when the complete their application for Title III and Title V eligibility.

They have already passed the benchmark requirements, but the 2025 cycle is the first when the lagging statistics will finally be above the requirement.

Question: Will the NRC consider "Unnamed College” as fulfilling the Minority-Serving Institution requirement for the grant?

Answer: To meet the Minority Serving Institution (MSI) designation as stated under Criterion 5 Partnerships with Minority Serving Institutions, the MSI partnering with the applicant must be designated as such by the Department of Education by the closing date of the notice of funding opportunity.

3) Question: My understanding is a partnership is required, or is it optional?

Answer: The NRC encourages the diversification of its grants by offering an incentive to those U.S. educational institutions that include in their application an effective cooperative or partnership arrangements with U.S. institutions that are designated as Minority Serving Institutions (MSI). An application is not disqualified/eliminated if it does not include an arrangement with an MSI.

1 Some of the questions received and answers provided have been edited/rephrased for clarity.

4) I am interested in applying for the NRC NOFO number 31310024K0001 and I have a couple of questions:

Question: Can PIs from undergraduate private institutions of higher education, such as “Unnamed Institution A,” apply? If yes, can the grant support stipends for undergraduate student assistants?

Answer: In accordance with Part II, Section III.1 Eligible Institutions, institutional representatives may submit an application(s) if the institution is a regionally accredited U.S. public or private institution of higher education, as defined in Section 1001 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. § 1001). Stipends for undergraduate student assistants performing services under the proposed project is an allowable expense under the grant.

Question: In 2016, I was working at the “Unnamed Institution B” as an assistant professor. The University (PI) received a faculty development grant from NRC for my development. I left the University a year later and the University used the remaining funds for the development of another faculty member. Shall I report this in the past NRC funding and summary of the results section since I was not the PI for that grant?

Answer: No, this may not be reported in the Past NRC Funding and Summary of Results from Past NRC Funding as you were not the designated Principal Investigator (PI) nor Co-PI for the grant. PIs and Co-PIs submitting a response to this announcement must provide the Past NRC Funding and Summary of Results from Past NRC Funding for grants for which the applying PI/Co-PI was the designated grant PI or Co-PI.

5) Statement included in NOFO: "For the duration of the grant period, all graduate students, faculty, PIs, Co-PIs, and other participants supported under or participating in the grant must meet the following citizenship requirements ..."

Question:

“Unnamed Institution” always takes the stance of open research and that no one should be precluded from the discussions that surround a research project. How can our university comply with the citizenship requirements of the NOFO while not contradicting our open campus policy of “Unnamed Institution” (and many other universities in the US)? Typically, a faculty advisor will meet one-on-one or with small project-related groups, but often they will also hold group meetings where all of their students will present updates. Are foreign students excluded from group meetings where all of the students meet with their faculty advisor and present updates? If so, then I am not sure we can proceed. However, if the idea is that foreign students may not participate in the research (but mention of the research may still happen in their presence) or with any meetings with the sponsor, then there might be a way.

(a) Are foreign students precluded from attending group meetings where research supporting this grant is being discussed? For example, can foreign students participate in meetings with the sponsor, dedicated meetings about the specific research, or even general weekly group meetings between faculty and students? If this type of participation is not permissible, how can NRC monitor/enforce this?

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2012-title20/html/USCODE-2012-title20-chap28-subchapI.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2012-title20/html/USCODE-2012-title20-chap28-subchapI.htm

(b) Are foreign students precluded from sharing offices with anyone participating in the grant?

Answer:

(a) The NRC supports open dialogue and peer-to-peer academic exchanges. In this regard, Section 2.D of the NRC’s most recent notification of funding opportunity for research grants explicitly permits peer-to-peer academic exchanges.

The NRC requires applicants to comply with all of the grant requirements during the period of the grant, including citizenship requirements. The NRC requires that during the research grant period, all graduate students, faculty, PIs, Co-PIs, and other participants supported under or participating in the grant must either be a U.S.

citizen, a noncitizen national of the U.S., or have been lawfully admitted the U.S. for permanent residence (in possession of a valid Green Card).

You asked about the possible involvement of non-U.S. students in recurring research meetings with faculty advisors. The NRC does not have procedures concerning the manner in which universities conduct research meetings and relies on university applicants to develop any such policies in compliance with NRC grant requirements.

In general, the NRC views “participation” in terms of an active role. For example, grant participants typically engage in activities such as conducting experiments, performing research, and engaging in grant-specific meetings. If a non-U.S. student were to attend recurring group update/status meetings with a faculty advisor and other students, the NRC would not consider this attendance to constitute “participation” in the grant.

(b) The NRC does not have a policy regarding office sharing at grant recipient universities. Universities will manage their own office sharing policies.

6) Question: I understand that only US institutions of higher learning are eligible. I am writing to determine if consultants working for the university can be funded under this grant? Specifically, my firm “Unnamed Entity” works with "Unnamed Institution” to develop course work on advanced reactors, which is one of the areas funded. Could “Unnamed Institution” apply for a grant, and pay “Unnamed Entity” from the grant? Can you help us understand the rules around entities that the universities could include as sub-awardees?

Answer: In accordance with Part II, Section 2.C. Eligible Partnership Arrangements, applicants may partner for subaward solely with other U.S. institutions of higher education.

Consultant services may be an allowable cost if it adheres to 2CFR 200.459 Professional service costs. Is noted that in accordance with Section III.2.D. Eligible Participants in the Grant, proposed collaborative discussions, exchange/use of materials, equipment, and facilities during the grant research with any other organization(s) are subject to an organizational conflict of interest review by the NRC.

(Refer to NOFO Section IV.2.J.)

7) Question: I am emailing to ask a question about NOFO 31310024K0001. In particular, I would like to know if the opportunity is strictly for research or if scholarships and/or fellowships can be funded.

If this opportunity is specific to R&D, can you tell me if there will be upcoming opportunities for scholarships and fellowships?

Answer: Yes, NOFO 31310024K0001 is to specifically support the Research and Development (R&D) Grant Program. When opportunities for scholarships and fellowships become available, they will be announced via Grants.gov.

8) Question: We are preparing a proposal for the NRC 2024 NOFO (31310024K0001). On the grants.gov website for the opportunity (https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/352498), when I press the “apply” button while signed in to grants.gov, I get this error (that the request page was not found).

Is this a known issue? Should we submit a different way?

Answer: Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions posted in Grants.gov. It appears the issue you are experiencing is addressed in this section. I provided a screenshot and the link below. For more information on this matter, you may contact the Grants.gov Support Center at 1‑800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

https://gditshared.servicenowservices.com/hhs_grants?sys_id=099b93e187304294c62a 0d470cbb352b&id=hhs_kb_form&table=kb_knowledge https://gditshared.servicenowservices.com/hhs_grants?sys_id=099b93e187304294c62a0d470cbb352b&id=hhs_kb_form&table=kb_knowledge https://gditshared.servicenowservices.com/hhs_grants?sys_id=099b93e187304294c62a0d470cbb352b&id=hhs_kb_form&table=kb_knowledge

9) Question: I was wondering if I could be a PI or Co-PI of an application in response to this announcement since I am currently the PI for an NRC grant awarded in 2022 (period of performance 10/2022 – 09/2025).

Answer: Yes, you can submit a proposal for this FY2024 NOFO as a PI or CO-PI, within the 2-proposal limit per institution. The eligibility language is for the current NOFO only.

10) Question: I have a research idea that I think may be applicable to this opportunity, but I am hoping to talk with someone first to make certain before preparing an application. Are you the appropriate contact, and if not, could you recommend someone?

Answer: Unfortunately, since the NOFO is posted, NRC staff members are not able to discuss any details with potential applicants. I would suggest, if you are interested, to submit your idea by applying to this opportunity.

11) Question: The “Unnamed” System includes 11 universities and 8 state agencies statewide, each having its own leadership and governing structure, DUNS and UEI numbers, and reports to the “Unnamed” System governed by a Board of Regents.

Specifically, I am seeking eligibility clarification for Institution A, Institution B, Institution C, Institution D, and Institution E.

Similarities: each entity,

• Is considered an IHE for proposal submissions

• shares the same campus in Unnamed City/State (except Institution D)

• report to the “Unnamed” System governed by a Board of Regents

Differences:

• each entity has their own leadership

• each entity has their own governing structure

• each entity has its own DUNS and UEI numbers

• each entity has its own separate AORs who submit grants on their behalf

• Institution A and Institution D are the only degree-granting IHEs

Can you clarify whether Institution A, Institution B, Institution C, Institution D, and Institution E will be considered separate organizations for this solicitation?

Answer: Since each institution has its own DUNS and UEI numbers and acts independently under “Unnamed” System – each institution is eligible to apply to the FY24 NOFO and can submit a maximum of two applications. No more than two applications may be submitted under the same institution and UEI number.