FY2022_Distinguished_Early_Career_Faculty_FOA_Amendment 2.pdf

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

U. S. Department of Energy

Idaho Operations Office

Fiscal Year 2022 Distinguished Early Career Program

Funding Opportunity Announcement:

DE-FOA-0002556

Announcement Type: Initial – December 6, 2021

Amendment 002-January 18, 2022

CFDA Number: 81.121

Issue Date: December 6, 2021

Application Due Date: February 23, 2022, at 7:00 PM ET ii

Amendment 002: This amendment removes the changes to Part III, Section C that were incorporated with Amendment 001.

Amendment 001: This amendment is an administrative amendment that updates language for applicants. Updates for FOA:

• Cover page: Update to Full Application due date.

• Part III, Section C: Provides language regarding eligibility restrictions between IRP CINR projects and DECP.

• Part III, Section C: Updates on eligibility restrictions between CINR projects and DECP.

• Part III, Section C: Clarifies that individuals who have received funds from other comparable early career awards are not eligible for this award.

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Table of Contents

PART I – FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. SUMMARY

B. MAJOR NE FUNDED RESEARCH PROGRAMS

B.1 Fuel Cycle Research and Development (FC R&D) Program B.2 Reactor Concepts Research, Development, and Demonstration (RC RD&D) Program B.3 Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) Program B.4 Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) Crosscutting Technology Development (CTD) B.5 Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF)

PART II – AWARD INFORMATION

A. TYPE OF AWARD INSTRUMENT

B. ESTIMATED FUNDING

C. MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM AWARD SIZE

D. EXPECTED NUMBER OF AWARDS

E. ANTICIPATED AWARD SIZE

F. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

G. TYPE OF APPLICATION

PART III – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

B. COST SHARING

C. ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS

D. LIMITATIONS ON SUBMISSIONS

PART IV – APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

B. DOCUMENT FORMAT REQUIREMENTS

C. CONTENT AND FORM for APPLICATIONS C.1 SF-424 Research and Related (R&R) C.2 Research and Related Other Project Information C.3 Project Abstract C.4 Project Narrative C.5 Vitae C.6 Career Objective Statement C.7 Endorsement Letter from Academic/Unit Department Head C.8 Capabilities C.9 Research and Related Budget C.10 Budget Justification C.11 Current and Pending Support C.12 Project/Performance Site Locations C.13 Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) iv

C.14 Certification and Assurances C.15 Data Management Plan (DMP) C.16 Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Program Certifications C.17 Summary of Required Forms/Files

D. SUBMISSIONS FROM SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS

E. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

E.1 Application Due Date E.2 Late Submissions

F. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

G. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

G.1 Prohibition related to Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Programs

H. Cost Principles

I. Pre-Award Costs

J. OTHER SUBMISSION AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

PART V - APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. CRITERIA

A.1 Initial Review Criteria A.2 Merit Review Criteria

B. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

B.1 Merit Review B.2 Program Policy Factors B.3 Selection B.4 Review of Risk B.5 Discussions and Award

C. ANTICIPATED NOTICE OF SELECTION AND AWARD DATES

PART VI – AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. AWARD NOTICES

A.1 Notice of Selection A.2 Nondisclosure and Confidentiality Agreements Representations A.3 Notice of Award

B. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

B.1 Administrative Requirements

C. REPORTING

PART VII – QUESTIONS/AGENCY CONTACTS

A. QUESTIONS

B. AGENCY CONTACTS

PART VIII – OTHER INFORMATION

A. AMENDMENTS

v

B. GOVERNMENT RIGHT TO REJECT OR NEGOTIATE

C. COMMITMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS

D. PROPRIETARY APPLICATION INFORMATION

E. EVALUATION AND ADMINISTRATION BY NON-FEDERAL PERSONNEL

F. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEVELOPED UNDER THIS PROGRAM

G. NOTICE OF RIGHT TO REQUEST PATENT WAIVER

H. NOTICE REGARDING ELIGIBLE/INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

I. NO-COST TIME EXTENSIONS

J. REBUDGET REQUEST

K. CONFERENCE SPENDING

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Checklist for Avoiding Common Errors:

Item Issue Page Limits Strictly followed throughout application, including particular attention to:

- Research Narrative

- Career Objective Statement

- Endorsement Letter

- Vitae

- Data Management Plan(s) (DMPs)

Protected Personally Identifiable Information None present in the application Project Abstract Name of applicant, Principal Investigator (PI), PI’s institutional affiliation(s), Budget Use current negotiated indirect cost and fringe benefit rates Budget Justification (attached to budget) Justify all requested costs Vitae Follow page limits strictly Current and Pending Support Ensure complete listing of all activities including brief abstract of scope of work for all items listed, regardless of source of funding

Certifications and Assurances - Ensure that signatures are completed for both sections of the certifications and assurances documentation

R&R Other Project Information - If marking proprietary information, clearly mark the sections where proprietary information is in the narrative or other documents using the procedure outlined in the FOA.

- If marking ‘yes’ to international collaboration, list all institutions and countries.

Data Management Plans (DMP) - If referring to an experiment’s DMP, describe the relationship to the proposed research

- Include a DMP even if no experimental data is expected vii

LIST OF ACRONYMS

CFR Code of Federal Regulations CTD Crosscutting Technology Development DECP Distinguished Early Career Program DMP Data Management Plan DOE Department of Energy FC R&D Fuel Cycle Research and Development FFATA Federal Funding and Transparency Act FOA Funding Opportunity Announcement FSRS FFATA Subaward Reporting System HBCU Historically Black Colleges and Universities IHE Institution of Higher Education M&O Management and Operating M&TE Measuring and Test Equipment MSI Minority-serving Institution NE Office of Nuclear Energy NEAMS Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation NEET Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission NSUF Nuclear Science User Facilities OMI Other Minority Institution PI Principal Investigator PICS:NE DOE-NE Program Information Collection System PIE Post-irradiation Examination QA Quality Assurance QOZ Qualified Opportunity Zone RC R&D Reactor Concepts Research, Development and Demonstration R&D Research and Development SAM System for Award Management SMR Small Modular Reactor

PART I – FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

General inquiries about this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) should be directed to Andrew Ford at fordaj@id.doe.gov. Questions about the application system should be sent to NEUP@inl.gov.

A. SUMMARY

The Distinguished Early Career Program (DECP) is the Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy’s (DOE-NE) most prestigious award for faculty members beginning their independent careers. The intent of the program is to provide stable support at a sufficient level and duration to enable awardees to develop careers, not only as outstanding researchers but also as educators demonstrating commitment to teaching, learning, and dissemination of knowledge. DOE-NE encourages all eligible applicants, especially women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities to apply.

This FOA is soliciting distinguished early career applications that provide a clear research and education plan that highlights the applicant’s research and educational strengths, the research and education vision to support the development of the faculty member, research infrastructure, curriculum, and research outcomes that will advance the applicant’s research focus while training the next generation of nuclear energy professionals. Applications should focus on DOE- NE mission areas.

Integration of Research and Education - All applications should describe an integrated path that will lead to a successful career as an outstanding researcher, educator, and contributor to the broader nuclear energy community. DOE-NE recognizes that there is no single approach to an integrated research and education plan but encourages all applicants to think creatively about the reciprocal relationship between the proposed research and education activities and how they may inform each other in their career development as both outstanding researchers and educators.

These plans should reflect the proposer's own disciplinary and educational interests and goals, as well as the needs and context of their organization. Because there may be different expectations within different disciplinary fields and/or different organizations, a wide range of research and education activities may be appropriate for this program.

DOE-NE’s mission is to advance nuclear energy science and technology to meet U.S. energy, environmental, and economic needs.

NE has identified goals to address challenges in the nuclear energy sector, to help realize the potential of advanced technology, and to leverage the unique role of the government in spurring innovation:

1. Enable continued operation of existing U.S. nuclear reactors

2. Enable deployment of advanced nuclear reactors

3. Develop advanced nuclear fuel cycles and spent nuclear fuel management options http://energy.gov/gc/standard-intellectual-property-ip-provisions-financial-assistance-awards http://energy.gov/gc/standard-intellectual-property-ip-provisions-financial-assistance-awards mailto:NEUP@inl.gov

All applications submitted under this FOA must demonstrate a strong tie to the mission.

NE conducts crosscutting nuclear energy research and development (R&D), and associated infrastructure support activities, to develop innovative technologies that offer the promise of dramatically improved performance for its mission needs as stated above, while maximizing the impact of DOE resources.

NE strives to promote integrated and collaborative research conducted by national laboratory, university, industry, and international partners in conjunction with NE’s programs, and to deploy innovative nuclear energy technologies to the market in order to meet the strategic goals and optimize the benefits of nuclear energy. NE funds research activities, through both competitive and direct mechanisms, as required to best meet those goals. This approach ensures a balanced R&D portfolio and encourages new nuclear power deployment with creative solutions to the universe of nuclear energy challenges. NEUP utilizes up to 20% of funds appropriated to NE’s R&D program for university-based infrastructure support and R&D in key NE program-related areas: Fuel Cycle Research and Development (FC R&D), Reactor Concepts Research, Development and Demonstration (RC RD&D), and Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS). Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies Crosscutting Technology Development (NEET CTD) supports national laboratory and university-led crosscutting research.

By establishing the Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) in 2007, DOE-NE opened up no-cost access to world-class nuclear research facilities such as material test reactors, beam lines, and post-irradiation examination facilities to researchers from U.S. universities, industry, and national laboratories.

B. MAJOR NE FUNDED RESEARCH PROGRAMS

B.1 Fuel Cycle Research and Development (FC R&D) Program

The mission of the FC R&D program is to develop used nuclear fuel management strategies and technologies to support meeting the federal government responsibility to manage and dispose of the nation’s commercial used nuclear fuel and high-level waste and to develop sustainable fuel cycle technologies and options that improve resource utilization and energy generation, reduce waste generation, enhance safety, and limit proliferation risk.

The program’s vision is that by mid-century, strategies and technologies for the safe, long-term management and eventual disposal of U.S. commercial used nuclear fuel, and any associated fuel cycle technologies that enhance the accident tolerance of light water reactors and enable sustainable fuel cycles, are demonstrated and deployed. Together, these technologies and solutions support the enhanced availability, affordability, safety, and security of nuclear-generated electricity in the United States.

Current challenges include the development of high burn-up fuel and cladding materials to withstand irradiation for longer periods of time with improved accident tolerance; simplified materials recovery technologies; waste management technologies including storage, transportation, and disposal; proliferation risk reduction methods; and processes and tools to evaluate and communicate sustainable fuel cycle system options.

FC R&D Points of Contact (POC) Table

Program POC Program Area Contact Frank Goldner Advanced Fuels / Accident

Tolerant Fuels Frank.Goldner@nuclear.energy.gov

Kenneth Kellar Advanced Fuels / Advanced Reactor Fuels

Kenneth.Kellar@nuclear.energy.gov

Stephen Kung Material Recovery and Waste Form Development – Aqueous Separation and Molten Salt Separations

Stephen.Kung@nuclear.energy.gov

Kimberly Gray Material Recovery and Waste Form Development – Waste Form and Off-gas

Kimberly.Gray@nuclear.energy.gov

Sue Lesica Materials R&D Sue.Lesica@nuclear.energy.gov

B.2 Reactor Concepts Research, Development, and Demonstration (RC RD&D) Program

The RC RD&D program conducts RD&D on existing and advanced reactor designs and technologies to enable industry to address technical challenges with maintaining the existing fleet of nuclear reactors, and to promote the development of a robust pipeline of advanced reactor designs and technologies, and supply chain capabilities. Program activities are designed to address technical, cost, safety, and security issues associated with the existing commercial light water reactor fleet and advanced reactor technologies, such as small modular reactor (SMR) and microreactor designs, fast reactors using liquid metal coolants, and high-temperature reactors using gas or liquid salt coolants.

RC RD&D POC Table

Program POC Program Area Contact Alison Hahn Light Water Reactor

Sustainability (LWRS) – Physical Security

Alison.Hahn@nuclear.energy.gov

Bill Walsh LWRS – Plant Modernization and Risk Informed Systems Analysis

William.Walsh@nuclear.energy.gov

Sue Lesica LWRS – Materials R&D Sue.Lesica@nuclear.energy.gov

Jason Marcinkoski LWRS – Flexible Plant Operation and Generation

Jason.Marcinkoski@nuclear.energy.gov

Diana Li Microreactor Program and High Temperature Gas Reactor

Diana.Li@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Frank.Goldner@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Frank.Goldner@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Kenneth.Kellar@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Kenneth.Kellar@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Stephen.Kung@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Stephen.Kung@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Kimberly.Gray@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Kimberly.Gray@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Sue.Lesica@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Sue.Lesica@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Alison.Hahn@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Alison.Hahn@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:William.Walsh@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:William.Walsh@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Sue.Lesica@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Sue.Lesica@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Kimberly.Gray@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Kimberly.Gray@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Diana.Li@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Diana.Li@nuclear.energy.gov

Program POC Program Area Contact Dylan Prevost High Temperature Gas

Reactor Dylan.Prevost@nuclear.energy.gov

Brian Robinson Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) and Sodium Fast Reactor

(SFR)

Brian.Robinson@nuclear.energy.gov

Janelle Eddins Advanced Reactor Regulatory Development

Janelle.Eddins@nuclear.energy.gov

Becky Onuschak Advanced Small Modular Reactor RD&D

Rebecca.Onuschak@nuclear.energy.gov

Alison Hahn Advanced Reactor Safeguards

Alison.Hahn@nuclear.energy.gov

B.3 Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) Program

The mission of the NEAMS program is to accelerate early-stage development of advanced reactor concepts and enable improved economics of new and existing designs by providing leading-edge computational tools to U.S. industry. The primary program objective is to develop and deploy these predictive tools and methods to industry, academia, and government, including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), for research, analysis, design, and regulatory acceptance of advanced reactor and fuel cycle systems. These advanced computational tools employ scalable simulation methods on high-performance computing architectures, in combination with a science-based, mechanistic approach to physics modeling, to allow scientists and engineers to better understand reactor materials properties and coupled phenomena in nuclear energy systems. Consequently, these tools span length scales from atomic to mesoscale to engineering scale, and time scales from picoseconds to seconds to days. These tools are currently being used to move certain advanced reactor concepts forward to commercialization in several key ways, including design optimization, which is required to fully realize the economic and technological advantages of those concepts. NEAMS capabilities also support development of advanced nuclear fuels, design and analysis of nuclear fuel experiments, and expansion of NRC confirmatory analysis capabilities in the advanced reactor area.

NEAMS POC Table

Dave Henderson NEAMS David.Henderson@nuclear.energy.gov

B.4 Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) Crosscutting Technology Development

(CTD)

The NEET CTD program conducts R&D in crosscutting technologies that directly support and enable the development of new and advanced reactor designs and fuel cycle technologies. These technologies will advance the state of nuclear technology, improve its competitiveness, and promote continued contribution to meeting our nation’s energy and environmental challenges.

mailto:Dylan.Prevost@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Dylan.Prevost@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Brian.Robinson@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Brian.Robinson@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Janelle.Eddins@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Janelle.Eddins@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Rebecca.Onuschak@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Rebecca.Onuschak@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Alison.Hahn@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Alison.Hahn@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:David.Henderson@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:David.Henderson@nuclear.energy.gov

The activities undertaken in this program complement those within the RC RD&D and FC R&D programs and support the DOE-NE mission. See Part I A. The knowledge generated through these activities will allow NE to address key challenges affecting nuclear reactor and fuel cycle deployment with a focus on crosscutting innovative technologies.

NEET-CTD POC Table

Program POC Program Area Contact Dan Nichols Advanced Sensors and

Instrumentation Daniel.Nichols@nuclear.energy.gov

Dirk Cairns-Gallimore Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies

Dirk.Cairns-Gallimore@nuclear.energy.gov

Becky Onuschak Cyber Security Rebecca.Onuschak@nuclear.energy.gov

Jason Marcinkoski Integrated Energy Systems Jason.Marcinkoski@nuclear.energy.gov

B.5 Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF)

DOE-NE funds access to world-class capabilities to facilitate the advancement of nuclear science and technology. This mission is supported by providing access, at no cost to the user, to state-of-the-art experimental irradiation testing and post-irradiation examination (PIE) facilities as well as technical assistance, including the design and analysis of reactor experiments. This unique model is best described as a distributed partnership with each facility bringing exceptional capabilities and expertise to the relationship, including reactors, beamlines, state-of-the-art instruments, hot cells and, most importantly, expert technical and scientific assistance. Together, these capabilities and people create a nation-wide infrastructure that allows the best ideas to be proven using the most advanced capabilities. Through NSUF, researchers and their collaborators are building on current knowledge to better understand the complex behavior of materials and fuels under irradiation.

NSUF POC Table

Tansel Selekler NSUF Tansel.Selekler@nuclear.energy.gov

Past university research can be found at neup.gov.

mailto:Daniel.Nichols@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Daniel.Nichols@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Dirk.Cairns-Gallimore@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Dirk.Cairns-Gallimore@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Stephen.Kung@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Stephen.Kung@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Jason.Marcinkoski@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Jason.Marcinkoski@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Tansel.Selekler@nuclear.energy.gov mailto:Tansel.Selekler@nuclear.energy.gov https://neup.inl.gov/SitePages/Home.aspx https://neup.inl.gov/SitePages/Home.aspx

PART II – AWARD INFORMATION

A. TYPE OF AWARD INSTRUMENT

DOE anticipates awarding grants under this FOA.

B. ESTIMATED FUNDING

DOE anticipates that, subject to the availability of future year appropriations, a total of $2,500,000 in current fiscal year funds will be used to support awards under this FOA. Awards are fully funded in the first project year.

DOE is under no obligation to pay for any costs associated with preparation or submission of applications. DOE reserves the right to fund, in whole or in part, any, all, or none of the applications submitted in response to this FOA.

C. MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM AWARD SIZE

The total number of awards will depend on the number of meritorious applications and the availability of appropriated funds. The ceiling and floor for this FOA are the same. The maximum award for the DECP is $625,000 over five years.

Additional Notes Requested funding may vary year-by-year to accommodate the real and expected needs of the proposed research. The average DEC award supports the Principal Investigator (PI), research staff under the PI’s direction (including postdocs and graduate students), equipment (including fabrication), and other necessary costs (materials, supplies, and travel).

D. EXPECTED NUMBER OF AWARDS

DOE anticipates up to 4 awards under this FOA. The exact number of awards will depend on the number of meritorious applications and the availability of appropriated funds.

E. ANTICIPATED AWARD SIZE

DOE expects the typical award size to be around $625,000 over five years.

F. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

DOE anticipates making awards with a project period of 5 years.

G. TYPE OF APPLICATION

DOE will only accept new applications under this FOA.

PART III – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

In accordance with 2 CFR 910.126 - Competition, eligibility for award is restricted to eligible individuals from U.S. IHEs, in accordance with information described in Part III C of this FOA.

The act of submitting an application implies that the submitting institution has checked, confirmed, and certifies that the PI is eligible, as outlined in Part III C.

Institutions of Higher Education

Applications must be submitted through a U.S. academic institution. An employee with a joint appointment between a university and a DOE national laboratory can apply through the IHE if the IHE pays their salary and provides their benefits.

B. COST SHARING

Cost sharing is not required.

C. ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS

Eligible individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as a PI are invited to work with their organizations to develop an application for assistance. Individuals from underrepresented groups, those with disabilities, and people from all geographic and economic backgrounds, are encouraged to apply.

In addition, DOE-NE strives to ensure energy justice and is fully committed to broadening the inclusion and contribution of those communities that have been historically underserved within its programs. Eligible PIs from minority-serving institutions (MSIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), or institutions located in overburdened and underserved communities are highly encouraged to apply to this FOA.

PIs of comparable early career awards funded by other federal agencies or entities are not eligible. PIs of early career awards with smaller funding amounts, can be eligible. Proposed research for this submission must have a scope different from that already funded by any organization.

PIs must be untenured assistant or associate professors on the tenure track. There can be no co- PIs.

Extensions to eligibility will be considered for individuals who have had a major life event requiring an extended absence (3 months or longer) from the workplace including, but not limited to, active military service, an absence due to personal disability, or an absence covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act. Requests for extended eligibility must be made by including in the application a letter signed by the dean, research vice president, or equivalent official stating that the proposed PI will have, as of the application deadline. The request for an eligibility extension will be evaluated as part of the application assessment.

PIs must adhere to the respective eligibility standards below.

The eligibility requirements improve the quality of applications submitted and encourage those who are strong candidates to submit applications to the program.

The PI must be an untenured assistant or associate professor on the tenure track at a U.S.

academic institution as of the deadline for the application. The PI must be employed in the eligible position as of the closing date for this FOA.

D. LIMITATIONS ON SUBMISSIONS

Only one application on behalf of a PI may be submitted in any given NE DECP competition. A PI may not participate in more than three NE DECP competitions.

Applicants can only be awarded one NE DECP award. Applicants are not eligible for award if the applicant has already been awarded other comparable federal early career awards.

Research objectives for this opportunity must be distinct from current or past funded DOE-NE projects that the applicant has participated in as a lead PI, co-PI, or collaborator.

PART IV – APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

Electronic applications and instructions are available at the NEUP website. To access these materials, (1) go to www.NEUP.gov, (2) select “Sign In” from the top right hand corner of the screen, (3) enter your user credentials, (4) select “Applications” from the menu, and (5) click on “Create New Application” for the type of application you are creating. Apply at www.NEUP.gov.

Paper copies of the application package can be requested at:

INR Integration Office Attn: Drew Thomas PO Box 1625 MS 3730 Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415

Telephone: 208-526-1602 Fax: 208-526-1844

B. DOCUMENT FORMAT REQUIREMENTS

All non-budget documentation (use templates where provided) is to be prepared using standard 8.5” × 11” paper with 1-inch margins (top, bottom, left, right), using a font size no smaller than Times New Roman 11 point. This is a requirement for all pages included in the document, i.e., table of contents, references, etc. The preferred file format is Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) for all documents except for spreadsheets. All spreadsheets are to be uploaded in Excel file format to the online application. Do NOT lock any cells in the spreadsheet.

Applicants must comply with all pertinent page limitations. Any text (including references and data tables) in a document that does not adhere to the requirements listed above (except graphics, graphs, charts, and equations) will be removed from the document and will not be reviewed.

DOE reserves the right to dismiss applications that violate formatting requirements. Signature blocks must be signed by the designated official.

Documents should be saved using the document naming suggestion at the bottom of each document description. The tracking ID will automatically be generated by the application system and can be found at the top of the application form under “Tracking ID.”

DOE reserves the right to dismiss applications which it deems, after initial review, to lack enough detail for reviewers to adequately judge technical merit. Applications submitted with corrupted, incomplete, or incorrect files may be dismissed without further review.

C. CONTENT AND FORM FOR APPLICATIONS

https://neup.inl.gov/SitePages/Home.aspx https://neup.inl.gov/SitePages/Home.aspx mailto:NEUP@inl.gov

C.1 SF-424 Research and Related (R&R)

Applicants shall complete the SF-424, R&R form, available at www.NEUP.gov, and upload a completed PDF copy of the form with the application.

Name File: 2022 SF424RR “Insert Tracking ID #”

C.2 Research and Related Other Project Information

Applicants shall complete items 1–6 on the R&R Other Project Information form available at www.NEUP.gov and upload a completed PDF copy of the form. Items 7-12 will be completed in the application form and do not need to be completed here.

Name File: 2022 R&R Other Project Information “Insert Tracking ID #”

C.3 Project Abstract

The project abstract must contain a summary of the proposed activity and be suitable for dissemination to the public. It should be a self-contained document that identifies the name of the applicant; the project PI); the project title; a list of major deliverables; the scope and objectives of the project; a description of the project, including major tasks (phases, planned approach, etc.)

and methods to be employed; the potential impact of the project (i.e., benefits, outcomes); and major participants (for collaborative projects). This document must not include any proprietary or sensitive business information, as DOE-NE may make it available to the public after awards are made.

Name File: 2022 Technical Abstract “Insert Tracking ID #”; 1-page limit (use provided Template on the application site)

C.4 Project Narrative

The integrated research and education project narrative must not exceed a page limit of 10 pages of technical information, including title page, table of contents, charts, graphs, maps, photographs, and other pictorial presentations, when printed using standard letter-size (8.5 x 11 inch) paper with 1-inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right). The font must not be smaller than 11 point. Merit reviewers will only consider the number of pages within the specified 10 pages.

Unlimited references are allowable at the bottom of the narrative beyond the limited 10 page project narrative described above.

Do not include any Internet addresses (URLs) that provide supplementary or additional information that constitutes a part of the application. Merit reviewers are not required to access Internet sites; however, Internet publications in a list of references will be treated identically to print publications.

Background/Introduction: Explanation of the importance and relevance of the proposed work , as well as a review of the relevant literature.

Project Objectives: This section should provide a clear, concise statement of the specific http://www.neup.gov/ http://www.neup.gov/ http://www.neup.gov/ http://www.neup.gov/ objectives/aims of the proposed project.

Proposed Research and Methods: Identify the hypotheses to be tested (if any) and details of the methods to be used, including the integration of experiments with theoretical and computational research efforts.

Integration of Research and Educational Activities: Identify the educational aspects of the application and details about the methods and approaches the PI will use to integrate educational activities into overall project activities.

Timetable of Activities: Timeline for all major activities including anticipated milestones and deliverables.

This comprises the research plan for the project. It should contain enough background material in the introduction, including review of the relevant literature, to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the state of the science. The majority of the narrative should be devoted to a description and justification of the proposed project, including details of the method to be used. It should also include a timeline for the major activities of the proposed project and should indicate which project personnel will be responsible for which activities.

There should be no ambiguity about which personnel will perform particular parts of the project, and the time at which these activities will take place.

Name File: 2022 Research Narrative “Insert Tracking ID #”; 10-page limit

C.5 Vitae

Provide a biographical vitae for the PI listed in Section A of the R&R Budget form.

• Contact information.

• Education and Training: Provide institution, major/area, degree, and year for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral training.

• Research and Professional Experience: Beginning with the current position list, in chronological order (newest to oldest), professional/academic positions with a brief description.

• Publications: Provide a list of publications most closely related to the proposed project.

For each publication, identify the names of all authors (in the same sequence in which they appear in the publication), the article title, book or journal title, volume number, page numbers, year of publication, and website address if available electronically.

• Patents, copyrights, and software systems developed may be provided in addition to or substituted for publications.

• Synergistic Activities: List any professional and scholarly activities related to the effort proposed.

Name File: 2022 CV “Last Name of Individual” “Insert Tracking ID #”; 5-page limit

C.6 Career Objective Statement

The applicant will provide a career objective statement that outlines the PI’s research interests and educational priorities and how they align with DOE-NE priorities.

Name File: 2022 Career Statement “Insert Tracking ID #”; 2-page limit

C.7 Endorsement Letter from Academic/Unit Department Head

The applicant will submit an endorsement letter from their respective department head that speaks to the following:

• PI’s qualifications

• Commitment to focus on nuclear energy research/education/service at the department level

Name File: 2022 Endorsement “Insert Tracking ID #”; 2-page limit

C.8 Capabilities

Provide information on the following, as applicable:

• Infrastructure Requirements: The applicant shall identify the infrastructure (e.g., facilities, equipment, instrumentation, and other resources) required to execute the proposed scope of work, including their location, availability, capabilities, and how they will be used in the project. Describe the non-labor (e.g., facilities, equipment, and instrumentation) resources that are available and accessible to the applicant and are required to execute the scope of work. Describe any unique equipment and facilities that are needed, are accessible, and will be used to execute the scope of work. Discuss the adequacy of these resources and identify any gaps and how these will be addressed.

• Ability to comply with the required or proposed performance schedule, taking into consideration all existing commercial and governmental business commitments.

• A satisfactory record of performance, integrity, and ethics.

• Necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, or the ability to obtain them (including, as appropriate, such elements as property control systems, quality assurance measures, and safety programs).

See the electronic application submission instructions for document guidance. This FOA allows the applicant to propose the purchase of any needed equipment to conduct the proposed work. If equipment purchases are proposed, describe comparable equipment, if any, already at the institution and explain why it cannot be used.

Name File: 2022 Capabilities “Insert Tracking ID #”; 2-page limit

C.9 Research and Related Budget

Complete the Research and Related Budget form in accordance with the instructions on the form (Activate Help Mode to see instructions) and the following instructions. The applicant must complete a separate budget for each year of support requested. The form will generate a cumulative budget for the total project period. The applicant must complete all the mandatory information on the form before the NEXT PERIOD button is activated. You may request funds under any of the categories listed as long as the item and amount are necessary to perform the proposed work, meet all the criteria for allowability under the applicable Federal cost principles, and are not prohibited by the funding restrictions in this FOA.

C.10 Budget Justification

Provide a justification that explains all costs proposed in the budget. The following items of advice are offered to assist in developing a justification:

1. Organize the justification by listing items in the same order as presented on the budget.

2. Ensure that the narrative matches the budget in dollar amounts and language.

3. Explain the line items. If costs are estimated, provide a basis for the estimate. Explain if costs are based on prior experience of similar activities. If a cost is based on the product of two numbers (such as a number of items at a per-item price), ensure that the math is correct.

4. If including an inflationary factor for future budget periods, explain the basis for the inflationary factor.

Provide any other information necessary to justify your budget request. Including items in the budget justification is not considered a form of cost-sharing. Provide the details of all personnel (key or other) who will be working on the project, regardless of their source(s) of compensation.

Explain their source(s) of compensation if it is not from this project. Include the indirect cost rate agreement as a part of the budget justification.

C.11 Current and Pending Support

Provide a list of all current and pending support for the PI regardless of funding source. Provide the Current and Pending Support as an appendix to the project narrative. Concurrent submission of an application to other organizations for simultaneous consideration will not prejudice its review.

If the same or similar research application has been submitted to an early career program at another agency or foundation, that application must be included as a pending application, with a required explanation of the similarities and/or differences with the current DECP application.

C.12 Project/Performance Site Locations

Indicate the primary site where the work will be performed. If a portion of the project will be performed at any other site(s), identify the site location(s) in the blocks provided.

Note that the Project/Performance Site Congressional District is entered in the format of the 2-digit state code, followed by a dash and a 3-digit Congressional district code, for example VA -

001. Hover over this field for additional instructions.

Use the Next Site button to expand the form to add additional Project/Performance Site Locations.

C.13 Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)

If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the grant, you must complete and submit Standard Form- LLL, “Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying.”

C.14 Certification and Assurances

Applicants must complete and attach the Certifications and Assurances form found on the DOE Financial Assistance Forms Page at: http://energy.gov/management/downloads/certifications-and-assurances-use-sf-424.

Name File: 2022 Cert & Assurances “Insert Tracking ID #”

C.15 Data Management Plan (DMP)

This plan must be submitted for awarded project within 90 days of award. Not required for full application submission.

Provide a Data Management Plan (DMP) that:

1. Should describe whether and how data generated in the course of the proposed research will be shared and preserved. If the plan is not to share and/or preserve certain data, then the plan must explain the basis of the decision (for example, cost/benefit considerations, other parameters of feasibility, scientific appropriateness, or limitations discussed in #4). At a minimum, DMPs must describe how data sharing and preservation will enable validation of results, or how results could be validated if data are not shared or preserved.

2. Should provide a plan for making all research data displayed in publications resulting from the proposed research open, machine-readable, and digitally accessible to the public at the time of publication. This includes data that are displayed in charts, figures, images, etc. In addition, the underlying digital research data used to generate the displayed data should be made as accessible as possible to the public in accordance with the principles stated above. This requirement could be met by including the data as supplementary information to the published article, or through other means. The published article should indicate how these data can be accessed.

3. Should consult and reference available information about data management resources to http://energy.gov/management/downloads/certifications-and-assurances-use-sf-424 http://energy.gov/management/downloads/certifications-and-assurances-use-sf-424 http://energy.gov/management/downloads/certifications-and-assurances-use-sf-424 be used in the course of the proposed research. In particular, DMPs that explicitly or implicitly commit data management resources at a facility beyond what is conventionally made available to approved users should be accompanied by written approval from that facility.

4. DMPs must protect confidentiality, personal privacy, Personally Identifiable Information, and U.S. national, homeland, and economic security; recognize proprietary interests, business confidential information, and intellectual property rights; avoid significant negative impact on innovation, and U.S. competitiveness; and otherwise be consistent with all applicable laws, regulations, and DOE orders and policies. There is no requirement to share proprietary data.

2-page limit, Name File “FY 2022 DMP “Insert Tracking ID #”

C.16 Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Program Certifications

Certification(s) must be submitted after award selections, during award negotiations. Certifications will not be collected at time of application submissions.

Prior to award, the recipient must certify to DOE, based on its knowledge and due diligence, that no individuals participating on the DOE-funded project, including individuals at the recipient and subrecipient level, are participating in a Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Program of a Foreign Country of Risk. A Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Program is defined in Part IV, Section G.

“Participant(s)” refers to an individual, at the recipient or subrecipient level, who will work on the scientific, technical, or commercialization-related tasks and milestones of an award, or who have access to non-public information or data generated during or as a result of those tasks and milestones.

“Participants” includes each person who will be working on the project for at least 160 hours, regardless of the source of compensation. The scope would include, but is not limited to:

• Principal Investigators

• Senior/Key Personnel

• Other professionals (e.g., engineers) or researchers

• Postdoctoral Associates

• Any individual directly funded, whole or in part, with project funds (federal funds and/or cost share funds)

Certifications will be required for all participants as defined above. This includes PIs, Co-PIs, collaborators, post-doctoral associates, students, and all others working at least 160 hours on the project, regardless of whether they are directly funded by the project., The applicable certification template will be provided to the recipient with submission instructions.

C.17 Summary of Required Forms/Files

Name of Document Format Signature Required SF-424 R&R Form Yes Research and Related Other Project Information Form

Project Summary/Abstract PDF Project Narrative PDF Career Objective Statement PDF Department Head Endorsement Letter PDF Yes

Vitae (5 pages) PDF

Capabilities (2 pages) PDF SF-424 (R&R) Lead Budget Form Form

Budget Justification PDF Current and Pending Support PDF Project/Performance Site Location PDF

SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities PDF Yes

Certifications and Assurances Form Yes

D. SUBMISSIONS FROM SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS

If selected for award, DOE reserves the right to request additional or clarifying information for any reason deemed necessary including, but not limited to, the following:

• Point of contact information

• Indirect cost information

• Other budget information

• Name and phone number of the designated responsible employee for complying with national policies prohibiting discrimination (see 10 CFR 1040.5)

• Representation of limited rights data and restricted software, if applicable

• Commitment letter from third parties contributing to cost sharing, if applicable

• Environmental information

E. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

E.1 Application Due Date

The application due date is printed on the cover of this FOA.

Applicants are encouraged to transmit their applications well before the deadline. Modifications to the application are not allowed after the application due date.

E.2 Late Submissions

Applicants are responsible for submitting any/all required submissions specified in this FOA, including applications, statements of work, and any modifications or withdrawals thereto, so as to reach the Government office designated in the FOA by the date/time specified in the FOA.

Any required FOA submittal, modification, or withdrawal received at the Government office designated in the FOA after the exact time specified for receipt of that submittal is “late” and will not be considered, unless it is received before award is made, the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late submittal would not unduly delay the FOA award process, and:

• It was transmitted through an electronic commerce method authorized by the FOA, and received at the initial point of entry to the Government infrastructure no later than 5:00 pm one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of the submittal; or

• There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at the Government installation designated for receipt of the submittal and was under the Government’s control prior to the time set for receipt of the required submittal.

A late modification of an otherwise successful submittal or application that makes its terms more favorable to the Government, will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the Government installation includes the time/date stamp of that installation on the required electronic submission, other documentary evidence of receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements of Government personnel.

If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes such that the required submittal cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of the submittal by the exact time specified in the FOA, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the FOA, the time specified for receipt of the required submittal will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day, as specified in the FOA, on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.

Applications and other submittals may be withdrawn by written notice (sent electronically to NEUP@inl.gov) received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of that submittal. A required submittal may be withdrawn in person by an applicant or its authorized representative, if, before the exact time set for receipt of that submittal, the identity of the person requesting withdrawal is established and the person signs a receipt for the submittal.

If electronic applications cannot be submitted, applicants can contact:

INR Integration Office http://www.neup.gov/

Attn: Drew Thomas PO Box 1625 MS 3730 Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415

Telephone: 208-526-1602 Fax: 208-526-1844

F. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”

G. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

Funding for all awards is contingent upon the availability of funds appropriated by Congress for the purpose of this program in current and future fiscal years.

G.1 Prohibition related to Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Programs

a. Definitions

1. Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Program. An effort directly or indirectly organized, managed, or funded by a foreign government to recruit science and technology professionals or students (regardless of citizenship or national origin, and whether having a full-time or part-time position). Some foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs operate with the intent to import or otherwise acquire from abroad, sometimes through illicit means, proprietary technology or software, unpublished data and methods, and intellectual property to further the military modernization goals and/or economic goals of a foreign government. Many, but not all, programs aim to incentivize the targeted individual to physically relocate to the foreign state for the above purpose. Some programs allow for or encourage continued employment at U.S. research facilities or receipt of Federal research funds while concurrently working at and/or receiving compensation from a foreign institution, and some direct participants not to disclose their participation to U.S. entities. Compensation could take many forms including cash, research funding, complimentary foreign travel, honorific titles, career advancement opportunities, promised future compensation, or other types of remuneration or consideration, including in-kind compensation.

2. Foreign Country of Risk. DOE has designated the following countries as foreign countries of risk: Iran, North Korea, Russia, and China. This list is subject to change.

3. Scientific and Technical Information. Information products deemed by the originator to be useful beyond the originating site (e.g., intended to be published or disseminated), in any format or medium, which contain findings and technological innovations resulting from R&D efforts and scientific and technological…