FY26 Reactor Sharing and Outreach NOFO Part 1 - FINAL 6JAN2026.pdf

Financial Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity

Part 1

Department of Energy (DOE) Idaho Operations Office Fiscal Year 2026 University Reactor Sharing and Outreach Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: DE-FOA-0003542

Application Due: February 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST

Modifications to this NOFO will be posted on NEUP.gov and Grants.gov. Grants.gov will automatically notify applicants when a NOFO modification is processed. Applicants must be registered to this NOFO in Grants.gov to receive email notifications. See Registration Requirements in Part 2 of this NOFO.

Table of Contents

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Navigating the Notice of Funding Opportunity

I. BASIC INFORMATION

A. Key Facts

1. Funding Details

2. Period of Performance

B. Executive Summary C. Agency Contact Information

II. ELIGIBILITY

A. Eligible Applicants

1. Restricted Eligibility

2. Domestic Entities

3. Foreign Entity Participation

4. Participant Limitations

5. Performance of Work in the United States

6. Ineligible Participants

7. Entity of Concern Prohibition

B. Limitation on Number of Applications Eligible for Review C. Cost Sharing

1. Cost Share Requirements

2. Unallowable Cost Share Sources, NOFO Specific

D. FFRDC Eligibility Criteria

1. DOE and Non-DOE FFRDCs as a Subrecipient

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Program Purpose B. Program Goals and Objectives C. Expected Performance Goals D. Applications Specifically Not of Interest E. Statutory Authority

IV. APPLICATION CONTENT AND FORM

A. Summary B. Application Content Requirements

1. Covered Individual Definition, Designation, and Responsibility

2. Summary of Application Requirements

3. Technical Volume

C. Funding Restrictions

1. Build America Requirement for Infrastructure Projects

V. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

A. Required Registrations

1. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)

2. NEUP.gov

B. Application Package C. Submission Date and Times D. Intergovernmental Review

VI. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Standards for Application Evaluation B. Responsiveness Review C. Review Criteria

1. Compliance Criteria

2. Technical Review Criteria

D. Other Selection Factors

VII. SELECTION AND AWARD NOTICES

VIII. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

1. Real Property and Equipment

2. Rights in Technical Data

3. Cost Share Payment

B. Questions and Support

1. Questions

2. Support

IX. OTHER INFORMATION

Notice of Funding Opportunity Part 1 Before You Begin

Before You Begin

Navigating the Notice of Funding Opportunity To reduce the burden on applicants in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process and limit the length of the NOFO information requests Department of Energy (DOE) has separated the NOFO into two parts.

The NOFO Part 1 describes the specific DOE programmatic goals and evaluation criteria, eligibility, and other components that are specific to each funding opportunity. The NOFO Part 2 includes the fixed DOE requirements that generally do not change from NOFO to NOFO, including standard information for the application phase, expectations for award negotiations, and post-award requirements. Applicants must review both the NOFO Part 1 and the NOFO Part 2 prior to applying. To facilitate navigation, you will find links throughout this document to additional information found in Part 2.

There are several required one-time actions applicants must take before applying to this NOFO. Some of these actions may take several weeks, so it is vital applicants build in enough time to complete them.

Failure to complete these actions could interfere with application or negotiation deadlines or the ability to receive an award if selected. If you have previously completed the necessary registrations, make sure your registration is active and up to date. All registrations are free. Please refer to NOFO Part 2, Get Registered, for additional information.

This announcement is published in conjunction with NOFO Part 2.

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Section I: Basic Information

I. Basic Information

A. Key Facts

Issuing Agency

Department of Energy, Idaho Operations Office

Funding Opportunity Title

Fiscal Year 2026 University Reactor Sharing and Outreach

Announcement Type Initial

Number

DE-FOA-0003542

Funding Instrument

Grant

Assistance Listing Number

81.121

Description

This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is for University Reactor Sharing and Outreach. It is referred to in this document as the RS&O

NOFO.

Program Goals & Objective(s)

Support universities and colleges with existing nuclear research reactors that are interested in sharing resources and facilities with other U.S. universities, colleges, tribal colleges, technical and vocational institutions, and K-12 schools that currently do not have access to research reactors to promote nuclear energy curriculum development and instruction.

Eligible Applicants U.S. universities and colleges with existing nuclear reactors. In accordance with 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 910.126(b), prime applicant award eligibility is restricted to U.S. universities and colleges with a nuclear research reactor, specifically designated as Host Institutions under this NOFO. Other educational institutions and users may collaborate with a Host Institution in the development of an application.

The following Host institutions are eligible to apply:

1 Idaho State University 13 The Ohio State University 2 Kansas State University 14 University of California, Davis 3 Massachusetts Institute of

Technology 15 University of California, Irvine 4 Missouri University of

Science & Technology 16 University of Florida

KEY DATES

Notice of Funding Opportunity Issue Date:

January 6, 2026

Application Deadline:

February 27, 2026

Anticipated Selection Notification Date:

September 30, Anticipated Award Date:

February 1, 2027

Estimated Period of Performance:

2 years

5 North Carolina State University

17 University of Maryland, College Park

6 Oregon State University 18 University of Massachusetts, Lowell

7 Pennsylvania State University 19 University of Missouri, Columbia

8 Purdue University 20 University of New Mexico 9 Reed College 21 University of Texas at

Austin 10 Rensselaer Polytechnic

Institute 22 University of Utah

11 Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center

23 University of Wisconsin, Madison

12 Texas A&M University 24 Washington State University

Application Site and Helpdesk

Application Site: https://proposals.inl.gov Helpdesk: NEUP@inl.gov

1. Funding Details

Single Topic Area

• Approximate total available funding: $1,000,000.

• Approximate number of awards: 5.

• Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: $0 - 200,000.

• Minimum cost share required: Encouraged but not required.

• Approximate project period: Up to 24 months.

• Anticipated length of budget periods: Up to 24 months.

2. Period of Performance

DOE anticipates making awards with an estimated project period of up to two years, beginning February 1, 2027. Additional time, if needed, may be requested, and justified in the application.

B. Executive Summary The University Reactor Sharing and Outreach (RS&O) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will support universities and colleges with nuclear research reactors to share resources and capabilities with the community to increase nuclear science, engineering, and technology awareness. This may include educational institutions without research reactors, such as universities, colleges, K-12, vocational schools, community colleges, and others.

The objectives of this RS&O NOFO are to:

https://proposals.inl.gov/ mailto:NEUP@inl.gov

• Strengthen nuclear science and engineering instruction in the curricula of colleges and universities that do not own research reactors (hereby referred to as “User Institutions”);

• Increase opportunities for collaboration among faculty and students on nuclear science and engineering;

• Improve public awareness and understanding of nuclear science, engineering, and technology through research reactor visits and other outreach opportunities; and

• Promote nuclear science, engineering, and technology to educate and recruit the next generation nuclear energy workforce.

Examples of activities of interest for this NOFO could include the development of additional nuclear science laboratories to supplement nuclear engineering, physics, or chemistry courses; tours for classes and student groups; science teacher workshops in nuclear science; or other activities that share one institution’s research reactor infrastructure with other communities or educational institutions.

University research reactors could also be used as versatile neutron sources and in specialized research projects. By increasing access to these facilities among universities and colleges, there is a potential for collaboration and cross-pollination in education and research opportunities for pre-college, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as university faculty members.

C. Agency Contact Information U.S. Department of Energy Idaho Operations Office 1955 Fremont Avenue Idaho Falls, ID 83415

For questions relating to this specific NOFO, please send emails to NEUP@inl.gov.

DISCLAIMER: Applicants are discouraged from submitting information considered proprietary unless it is deemed essential for proper evaluation of the application. If the application contains information that the applicant organization considers to be trade secrets, information that is commercial or financial, or information that is privileged or confidential, the pages containing that information must be identified as specified in the application instructions. When such information is included in the application, it will be withheld from public disclosure to the extent permitted by law, including the Freedom of Information Act, with the understanding that the information will be used or disclosed only for evaluation of the application. The information contained in the application will be protected by DOE from unauthorized disclosure, consistent with the need for merit review of applications of financial assistance awards to assure the integrity of the competitive process and the accuracy and completeness of the information. If a federal financial assistance award is made as a result of or in connection with an application, the federal government has the right to use or disclose the information to the extent authorized by law. This restriction does not limit the Federal Government’s right to use the information if it is obtained without restriction from another source.

Section III: Program Description

II. Eligibility

To be considered for substantive evaluation, an applicant’s submission must meet the criteria set forth below. If the application does not meet these eligibility requirements, it will be considered ineligible and removed from further evaluation and ineligible for any award. DOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this NOFO must be submitted. The decision whether to apply in response to this NOFO lies solely with the applicant. The information included here is specific to eligibility requirements for this NOFO. For eligibility requirements applicable to all NOFOs, please consult NOFO Part 2, Eligibility.

A. Eligible Applicants To be considered for substantive evaluation, an applicant’s submission must meet the criteria set forth below. If the application does not meet these eligibility requirements, it will be considered ineligible and removed from further evaluation.

1. Restricted Eligibility In accordance with 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 910.126(b), prime applicant award eligibility is restricted to U.S. universities and colleges with a nuclear research reactor, specifically designated as Host Institutions under this NOFO. Other educational institutions and users may collaborate with a Host Institution in the development of an application.

The following Host Institutions are eligible to apply:

1 Idaho State University 13 The Ohio State University

2 Kansas State University 14 University of California, Davis 3 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 15 University of California, Irvine 4 Missouri University of Science &

Technology 16 University of Florida

5 North Carolina State University 17 University of Maryland, College Park 6 Oregon State University 18 University of Massachusetts, Lowell 7 Pennsylvania State University 19 University of Missouri, Columbia 8 Purdue University 20 University of New Mexico 9 Reed College 21 University of Texas at Austin 10 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 22 University of Utah 11 Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center 23 University of Wisconsin, Madison 12 Texas A&M University 24 Washington State University

2. Domestic Entities

Domestic entities are eligible to apply as recipients or subcontractors. The following types of domestic entities are eligible to participate as a prime recipient or subrecipient of this NOFO:

• U.S. universities and colleges with existing nuclear research reactors.

The following types of domestic entities are eligible to participate as a subrecipient of this NOFO:

• U.S. universities and colleges;1

• For-profit organization;

• Nonprofit organization;

• State and local governmental entities; and

• Indian Tribes, as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance

Act, 25 U.S.C. § 5304.2

To qualify as a domestic entity, the entity must be organized, chartered, or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States or under the laws of the United States; have majority domestic ownership and control; and have a physical place of business in the United States.

3. Foreign Entity Participation Foreign entities are not eligible to apply as a recipient or subrecipient. No U.S. Government funding will be provided to entities incorporated outside of the U.S. or to a foreign government or any entity owned or controlled by a foreign government. Foreign government ownership means direct ownership of the applicant entity, its parent organization (e.g., trust, holding company, corporation, etc.), and any and all other entities in the corporate structure regardless of the applicant entity’s place of incorporation and operation. NE will evaluate the benefit and contribution of any such proposed partnerships as part of its evaluation of the relevancy to the NE mission.

4. Participant Limitations DOE FFRDCs3, Non-DOE FFRDCs, and Federal agencies and instrumentalities (other than DOE) are eligible to participate as a subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a recipient.

5. Performance of Work in the United States All work for the awards under this NOFO must be performed in the United States.

6. Ineligible Participants The following entities are ineligible for participation in this NOFO as a recipient, subrecipient, or subcontractor.

• In accordance with 2 CFR 200.214, entities banned from doing business with the U.S.

government such as entities debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participating in federal programs.

1 “U.S. Universities and Colleges” is defined consistent with the meaning of “institution of higher education” as set forth in 20 U.S.C. 1001(a).

2 “Indian Tribe,” for the purposes of this NOFO and as defined in in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. § 5304), means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) [43 U.S.C. § 1601, et seq.], which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.

3 FFRDCs are public-private partnerships that conduct research for the U.S. government. A listing of FFRDCs can be found at http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/ffrdclist/.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:25%20section:5304%20edition:prelim) https://uscode.house.gov/statutes/pl/92/203.pdf#:%7E:text=688%20PUBLIC%20LAW%2092-203-DEC.%2018%2C%201971%20%5B85%20STAT.,and%20for%20other%20purposes.%20Alaska%20Native%20Claims%20Settlement https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:43%20section:1601%20edition:prelim) http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/ffrdclist/

• Entities identified on Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control Treasury’s Sanctions Program Specially Designated Nationals list are prohibited from doing business with the United States government and are not eligible. See OFAC - Sanctions List Service (treas.gov).

• Nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995, are not eligible to apply for funding.

7. Entity of Concern Prohibition

Entities of Concern are prohibited from participating in projects selected under this NOFO (see NOFO Part 2, Eligibility, Other Eligibility Information, Entity of Concern Prohibition section for details and definitions).

B. Limitation on Number of Applications Eligible for Review Each Host Institution may submit only one (1) application under this RS&O NOFO. If an entity submits more than one full application, the DOE will only review the last submission. This limitation does not prohibit an applicant from collaborating on other applications (e.g., as a potential subrecipient or partner) so long as the entity is listed as the prime applicant on only one application submitted under this NOFO.

Each Host Institution may have only one (1) active RS&O award at a time. Any previous RS&O awards must be completed before another RS&O award can be placed.

C. Cost Sharing Applicants are expected to follow through on estimated cost share commitments proposed in their applications if selected for award negotiations. Please refer to the NOFO Part 2, Eligibility for more information on Cost Sharing.

1. Cost Share Requirements Cost sharing is encouraged but not required under this NOFO. Any cost sharing proposal must be included in the application. Applications are bound by the cost share proposed in their application if selected for award negotiations.

If cost share is proposed, the cost share must come from non-federal sources unless otherwise allowed by law. The cost share percentage is calculated by dividing the cost share by the total allowable project costs for the award where the total allowable project costs include government share (including FFRDC costs if applicable) and cost share. To help applicants calculate proper cost share amounts, DOE has included a cost share information sheet and sample cost share calculation in the NOFO Part 2, Eligibility—Cost Sharing, Cost Share Calculation Examples.

2. Unallowable Cost Share Sources, NOFO Specific The unallowable cost share sources identified here are specific to this announcement. Refer to NOFO Part 2, Eligibility—Cost Sharing, Unallowable Cost Share Sources for unallowable cost share sources applicable to all NOFOs. The recipient and subrecipient(s) may not use the sources to meet cost share obligations.

https://sanctionslist.ofac.treas.gov/Home/SdnList

D. FFRDC Eligibility Criteria

1. DOE and Non-DOE FFRDCs as a Subrecipient As long as they have no conflict, DOE and non-DOE FFRDCs may be proposed as a subrecipient on another entity’s application subject to the following guidelines:

Authorization for non-DOE FFRDCs The federal agency sponsoring the FFRDC must authorize in writing the use of the FFRDC on the proposed project and this authorization must be submitted with the application. The use of a FFRDC must be consistent with its authority under its award.

Authorization for DOE FFRDCs The cognizant Contracting Officer for the FFRDC must authorize in writing the use of the FFRDC on the proposed project and this authorization must be submitted with the application. The following wording is acceptable for this authorization:

Authorization is granted for the Laboratory to participate in the proposed project. The work proposed for the Laboratory is consistent with or complementary to the missions of the Laboratory and will not adversely impact execution of the DOE assigned programs at the Laboratory.

Funding, Cost Share, and Subaward with FFRDCs The value of and funding for the FFRDC portion of the work will not normally be included in the award.

DOE FFRDCs participating as a subrecipient on a project will be funded directly through the DOE Work Authorization process in accordance with DOE O 412.1A. Non-DOE FFRDCs participating as a subrecipient will be funded through an interagency agreement with the sponsoring agency.

Although the FFRDC portion of the work is excluded from the award, the applicant’s cost share requirement will be based on the total cost of the project, including the applicant’s, the subrecipient’s, and the FFRDC’s portions of the project.

All DOE FFRDCs are required to enter into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement4 (CRADA) or, if the role of the DOE FFRDC is limited to technical assistance and intellectual property is not anticipated to be generated from the DOE FFRDC’s work, a Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA), with at least the recipient. A fully executed CRADA or TAA must be in place or be compliant with a Master Scope of Work process prior to the FFRDC starting work directly allocable to the FA award.

A CRADA is used to ensure accountability for project work and provide the appropriate management of IP, e.g., data protection and background IP. A Data Management Plan is not suited for this purpose.

Limit on FFRDC Effort The scope of work to be performed by the FFRDC should not be more significant than the scope of work to be performed by the applicant.

4 A cooperative research and development agreement is a contractual agreement between a national laboratory contractor and a private company or university to work together on research and development. For more information, see DOE O 483.1B.

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III. Program Description

A. Program Purpose The Office of Nuclear Energy’s (NE) program purpose is to advance nuclear energy science and technology to meet U.S. energy, environmental and economic needs. NE enables innovation, supports unique research infrastructure, and solves crosscutting challenges facing the nuclear energy sector through research, development and demonstration. NE has identified the following goals to address challenges in the nuclear energy sector, help realize the potential of advanced technology, and leverage the unique role of the government in spurring innovation:

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

• Enable deployment of advanced nuclear reactors.

• Develop advanced nuclear fuel cycles.

• Maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear energy technology.

Investing in the next generation of nuclear energy leaders and advancing university-led nuclear innovation is vital to fulfilling NE's mission, which is primarily accomplished through NE’s Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP). Through various competitive award opportunities, the program engages with U.S. universities and colleges to conduct research and development (R&D), enhance infrastructure, and support student education, thereby contributing to the development of a world-class nuclear energy and workforce capability.

The NEUP overarching goal is to support outstanding, cutting-edge, and innovative research at U.S.

colleges and universities through the following:

• Administering NEUP R&D awards to support NE’s goal of integrating R&D at universities, national laboratories, and industry to revitalize nuclear education and support NE’s R&D program objectives;

• Attracting the brightest students to the nuclear professions and supporting the nation’s intellectual capital in nuclear energy-related engineering and relevant nuclear science, such as health physics, nuclear materials science, radiochemistry, and applied nuclear physics through broad outreach, scholarships, and fellowships awards; and

• Improving relevant college and university infrastructure for conducting nuclear energy-related R&D and educating students through infrastructure awards.

B. Program Goals and Objectives This NOFO supports the goals laid out in the previous section by providing support to universities and colleges with nuclear research reactors to share resources and capabilities with the community to increase nuclear science, engineering, and technology awareness. This may include educational institutions without research reactors, such as universities, colleges, K-12, vocational schools, community colleges, and others.

The objectives of this RS&O NOFO are to:

(1) Strengthen nuclear science and engineering instruction in the curricula of universities and colleges that do not own research reactors (hereby referred to as “User Institutions”);

(2) Increase opportunities for collaboration among faculty and students on nuclear science and engineering;

(3) Improve public awareness and understanding of nuclear science, engineering, and technology through research reactor visits and other outreach opportunities; and

(4) Engage with communities to promote nuclear science, engineering, and technology to educate and recruit the next generation nuclear energy workforce.

To achieve these objectives, universities with a nuclear research reactor, hereby referred to as a “Host Institution,” should provide a proposed effort to support at least one of the following goals:

(1) Meaningful qualitative and quantitative educational and research engagement of faculty and students from User Institutions.

(2) Evidence of engagements with other educational institutions such as technical and vocational institutions, community colleges, K-12 schools, and communities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to expand knowledge in nuclear science and engineering.

(3) Establish pathways for future self-sustaining and mutually beneficial partnerships with User Institutions or other educational institutions.

Examples of activities of interest for this NOFO could include the development of additional nuclear science laboratories to enhance nuclear engineering, physics, or chemistry courses; reactor tours for student groups; science educator workshops in nuclear science and community groups. The program will support public community engagements between university research reactor facilities and external participants working to increase opportunities for participants to advocate for nuclear science, engineering, and technology. University research reactors could also be used as versatile neutron sources and in specialized research projects. By increasing access to these facilities among universities and colleges, there is a potential for collaboration and crosscutting innovation in education and research opportunities for pre-college, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as university faculty members.

During fiscal year (FY) 2026, the DOE anticipates that approximately $1,000,000 will be available for this

NOFO.

C. Expected Performance Goals Applications should focus on the purpose and objectives of this program. Specific quantitative performance goals are dependent on each eligible applicant’s proposed capabilities. However, the following could be considered during the evaluation of applications submitted in response to this NOFO (not in priority order):

• Extent to which the reactor is utilized to educate the broader community.

• Impact on public education and acceptance toward nuclear energy.

• Increased collaboration with education institutions.

• Clarity and probability of successful execution including timelines, milestones, resources, etc.

• Extent to which the applicant team provides objective evidence that it has the resources and abilities to successfully complete the project.

D. Applications Specifically Not of Interest The following types of applications will be deemed non-responsive and will not be reviewed or considered (Please also refer to the Responsiveness Review section below):

• Applications that fall outside the technical parameters specified in the Program Goals and Objectives section above.

• Applications focused on areas not of interest to the NE mission, such as fusion energy, medical physics, nuclear forensics, or environmental management.

• Applications focused only on research and development.

• Applications involving the planning or construction of new university nuclear reactors.

• Applications that describe performing actions that result in duplication existing capabilities or efforts.

• Applications requesting funds for routine maintenance, office work, or infrastructure.

E. Statutory Authority The programmatic authorizing statute is § 951(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, as codified at 42 U.S.C. § 16271 (a). Additionally, 42 U.S.C. § 16274 and 31 U.S.C. § 6304 apply to this NOFO.

Awards made under this announcement will fall under the purview of 2 CFR Part 200 as adopted and supplemented by 2 CFR Part 910.

Section IV: Application Content and Form

IV. Application Content and Form This section includes application information specific to this NOFO Part 1. Refer to the NOFO Part 2, Application Content and Form for standard information that applies to all DOE NOFOs such as formatting and content requirements, and funding restrictions.

A. Summary The application process includes one submission phase: Full Application.

Application Submission Phase Eligibility for Submission

Application Must be submitted by the specified due date and time to be eligible for comprehensive merit review.

B. Application Content Requirements Each application must be limited to a single concept. Applications must conform to the following requirements and must not exceed the stated page limits. Please refer to the NOFO Part 2, Application Content and Form for a complete list of application requirements. Detailed guidance on the content and form of NOFO-specific requirements is provided following the Summary of Application Requirements table below.

1. Covered Individual Definition, Designation, and Responsibility Several of the Application Content Requirements listed below and in the NOFO Part 2 are required of covered individuals.

For the purposes of this NOFO, a Covered Individual means an individual who (a) contributes in a substantive, meaningful way to the development or execution of the scope of work of a project proposed for funding by DOE, and (b) is designated as a covered individual by DOE.

DOE designates as covered individuals any principal investigator (PI); project director (PD); co-principal investigator (Co-PI); co-project director (Co-PD); project manager; and any individual regardless of title that is functionally performing as a PI, PD, Co-PI, Co-PD, or project manager. Status as a consultant, graduate (master’s or PhD) student, or postdoctoral associate does not automatically disqualify a person from being designated as a “covered individual” if they meet the definition in (a) above.

The applicant is responsible for assessing the applicability of (a) above, against each person listed on the application. Further, the applicant is responsible for identifying any such individual to DOE for designation as a covered individual, if not already designated by DOE as described above.

The applicant’s submission of a current and pending support disclosure and/or biosketch/resume for a particular person serves as an acknowledgement that DOE designates that person as a covered individual.

DOE may further designate covered individuals during award negotiations or the award period of performance.

2. Summary of Application Requirements

Component File Format

Page Limit

File Name Signature Required

Conflict of Interest Acknowledgement

N/A n/a Checkbox acknowledgement Yes

Application for Federal Assistance

(SF-424)

PDF n/a FY26 SF424 [TRACKING ID#].pdf

Yes

Project/Performance Site Location(s)

PDF n/a FY26 Site Location [TRACKING ID#].pdf

Project Summary/Abstract PDF 1 FY26 Abstract [TRACKING ID#].pdf

Project Summary Slide PDF 1 FY26 Summary Slide [TRACKING ID#].pdf

Technical Volume PDF 8 pages

FY26 Technical Volume

Resumes (for PI and key personnel)

PDF 3

pages each

FY26 Resume [LAST NAME]

Budget Information Non- Construction Programs (SF-424A)

MS

Excel n/a FY26 Budget SF424A [TRACKING ID#].xlsx

Cost Sharing Letters of Commitment PDF 1 page each

FY26 Cost Share LOCs

Budget Justification PDF n/a FY26 Budget Justification

Vendor Quotes PDF n/a FY26 Vendor Quotes

Current & Pending Support (for PI and key personnel)

PDF n/a FY26 CPS [TRACKING ID#].pdf

Potentially Duplicative Funding Notice

PDF n/a FY26 PDFN [TRACKING ID#].pdf

Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) (if applicable)

PDF n/a FY26 SF-LLL [TRACKING ID#].pdf

Yes

Transparency of Foreign Connections

PDF n/a FY26 TFC [TRACKING ID#].pdf

Impacted Indian Tribe Documentation

PDF n/a FY26 Impacted Indian Tribes

3. Technical Volume

The Technical Volume, or project narrative, must conform to the content and form requirements as defined in the NOFO Part 2, Application Content Requirements—Technical Volume. This volume must address the technical review criteria as discussed in Technical Review Criteria.

Applicants must provide sufficient citations and references to the primary research literature to justify the claims and approaches made in the Technical Volume. However, DOE and reviewers are under no obligation to review cited sources.

The Technical Volume to the application may not be more than 8 pages, including the cover page, table of contents, and all citations, charts, graphs, maps, photos, or other graphics, and must include all information as defined in the NOFO Part 2, Application Content Requirements—Technical Volume. The narrative must also comply with all document format instructions. The applicant should consider the weight of each of the technical review criteria (see Technical Review Criteria) when preparing the Technical Volume.

DOE reserves the right to dismiss applications that violate formatting requirements. Signature blocks must be signed by the designated official. Evaluators will review only 8 pages of the Technical Volume, as specified in the Summary of Application Requirements. Do not include any Internet addresses (URLs) that provide information necessary to review the application.

C. Funding Restrictions Program-specific funding restrictions applicable to awards funded under this NOFO are identified below.

Standard funding restrictions are described in the NOFO Part 2, Funding Restrictions section.

Applicable Funding Restrictions

Title Location Additional Information

Allowable Costs NOFO Part 2 Applicable to awards made under this NOFO.

Pre-Award Costs NOFO Part 2 Applicable to awards made under this NOFO.

Prohibition Related to Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Programs

NOFO Part 2 Applicable to awards made under this NOFO.

Foreign Travel NOFO Part 2 Foreign Travel is not allowed for awards made under this NOFO.

Lobbying NOFO Part 2 Applicable to awards made under this NOFO.

Equipment and Supplies NOFO Part 2 Purchasing American-made equipment and supplies is applicable to this award.

Davis-Bacon Act Requirements NOFO Part 2 Applicable to awards made under this NOFO.

Build America Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects

NOFO Part 1 Applicable to awards made under this NOFO.

1. Build America Requirement for Infrastructure Projects

Awards funded through this NOFO that are for, or contain, construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of public infrastructure in the United States undertaken by applicable recipient types, require that:

• All iron, steel, and manufactured products used in the infrastructure project are produced in the United States; and

• All construction materials used in the infrastructure project are manufactured in the United States.

Please refer to the NOFO Part 2, Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects; Required Use of American Iron, Steel, Manufactured Products, and Construction Materials and 2 CFR Part 184 to determine whether the Buy America Requirement applies and if they should consider the application of the Buy America Requirement in the proposed project’s budget and/or schedule. (Note that the Buy America Requirement does not apply to prime recipients that are For-Profit Entities.)

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-184

Section V: Submission Requirements and Deadlines

V. Submission Requirements and Deadlines There are several one-time actions applicants must take before applying to this NOFO. Some of these may take several weeks, so it is vital applicants build in enough time to complete them. Failure to complete these actions could interfere with application or negotiation deadlines or the ability to receive an award if selected. These requirements are outlined in detail in the NOFO Part 2, Get Registered.

A. Required Registrations

1. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management

(SAM)

You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and click Get Started. From the same page, you can also click on the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

Each applicant must:

• Be registered in SAM.gov before submitting an application;

• Provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier in the application; and

• Continue to maintain an active registration in SAM.gov with current information at all times during which you have an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a federal agency.

DOE may not make a federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time DOE is ready to make a federal award, the DOE will determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

2. NEUP.gov Register and create an account at www.NEUP.gov. Electronic applications and instructions are available at the NEUP.gov 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.

If you have any questions about NEUP.gov site registration, application processes, eligibility, or application document requirements contact the Nuclear Energy External Innovation Integration Office at NEUP@inl.gov.

Each organization or business unit, whether acting as a team or a single entity, should use only one account as the contact point for each submission. Applicants must also designate backup points of contact. This step is required to apply to this NOFO.

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.neup.gov/ https://www.neup.gov/

Section V: Submission Requirements and Deadlines

B. Application Package

The application package requirements are outlined in the Application Content and Form section above.

Several templates for application requirements are included in NEUP.gov. To access these materials, select the appropriate NOFO on the Funding Opportunity page of NEUP.gov.

Electronic Authorization of Applications and Award Documents Submission of an application and supplemental information under this NOFO through electronic systems used by the DOE, including NEUP.gov, constitutes the authorized representative’s approval and electronic signature.

C. Submission Date and Times All required submissions must be submitted via the NEUP.gov application site no later than 5 p.m. ET on the dates provided on Key Facts section.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit all required application documents at least 48 hours in advance of the submission deadline. Under normal conditions (i.e., at least 48 hours before the submission deadline), applicants should allow at least one hour to submit application documents. Once the application documents are submitted via the NEUP.gov application site, applicants may revise or update that submission until the expiration of the applicable deadline. If changes are made to any of these documents, the applicant must resubmit them before the applicable deadline. DOE will not extend the submission deadline for applicants that fail to submit required information by the applicable deadline due to server/connection congestion.

D. Intergovernmental Review This NOFO is not subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

Section VI: Application Review Information

VI. Application Review Information

A. Standards for Application Evaluation Applications that are determined to be eligible will be evaluated in accordance with this NOFO and the guidance provided in the “DOE Merit Review Guide for Financial Assistance,” effective October 1, 2020, which is available at: https://energy.gov/management/downloads/merit-review-guide-financial-assistance-and-unsolicited-proposals-current.

B. Responsiveness Review The following applications will be deemed nonresponsive and will not be reviewed or considered:

• Project concepts or approaches not based on established scientific principles.

• Project concepts or approaches identified specifically as NOT of interest (see the Applications

Specifically Not of Interest section above).

C. Review Criteria

1. Compliance Criteria Prior to a comprehensive merit evaluation, DOE will perform an initial compliance review. Applications that fail to pass the initial compliance review may not be forwarded for merit review and may be eliminated from further consideration.

All applicant submissions must:

• Comply with the applicable content and form requirements listed in Application Content Requirements and Submission Requirements and Deadlines of the NOFO Part 1 and 2;

• Include all required documents;

• Be uploaded successfully in https://proposals.inl.gov/ accessed via the NEUP.gov site indicated in the Key Facts section, including clicking the “Submit” button; and

• Comply with the submission deadline stated in Key Facts.

DOE will not review or consider submissions submitted through means other than the NEUP.gov site indicated in Key Facts, applications submitted after the applicable deadline, or incomplete submissions.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit all required application documents at least 48 hours in advance of the submission deadline. Under normal conditions (i.e., at least 48 hours before the submission deadline), applicants should allow at least one hour to submit application documents. Once the application documents are submitted via the NEUP.gov site identified in the Key Facts section, applicants may revise or update that submission until the expiration of the applicable deadline. If changes are made to any of these documents, the applicant must resubmit them before the applicable deadline. DOE will not extend the submission deadline for applicants that fail to submit required information by the applicable deadline due to server/connection congestion.

https://energy.gov/management/downloads/merit-review-guide-financial-assistance-and-unsolicited-proposals-current https://energy.gov/management/downloads/merit-review-guide-financial-assistance-and-unsolicited-proposals-current https://proposals.inl.gov/

2. Technical Review Criteria Applications Relevancy Criteria Following the initial review, programmatic experts will assess relevance to the NE mission. All applications that meet the objectives of the NOFO will move forward to a full merit review.

Technical Review Merit Criteria The following evaluation criteria and weights will be utilized by the Technical Evaluation Committee and Federal Merit Review Panel members in conducting their evaluations of applications subjected to comprehensive merit review.

Review Criterion Overview

Criterion Weight Criterion 1: Impact on nuclear science and engineering education and outreach

50%

Criterion 2: Logical path to completion 30% Criterion 3: Team capabilities, experience, and risk 20%

Criterion 1: Impact on nuclear science and engineering education and outreach (50%) DOE will evaluate the impact of the project on nuclear science and engineering education and outreach.

DOE will evaluate the overall increased utilization of the research reactor to educate students, including K-12, community college, vocational, or undergraduate, on nuclear energy related topics; develop effective outreach strategies to the general public; improve public acceptance towards nuclear energy technologies; stimulate undergraduate and graduate enrollment; and collaborate with other educational institutions by providing access to the research reactor capabilities.

Criterion 2: Logical path to completion (30%) DOE will evaluate the overall effectiveness of the proposed plan to integrate the research reactor into reactor sharing and outreach activities to create a cohesive outreach strategy in support of nuclear energy. DOE will evaluate the effectiveness of the goals and milestones; the design of the schedules and activities; timely project completion, appropriate budget, and feasibility; and whether the path to completion will reasonably accomplish the goals set out for the project.

Criterion 3: Team capabilities, experience, and risk (20%) DOE will evaluate the extent to which the applicant team provides objective evidence that it has the resources and abilities to successfully complete the project. DOE will evaluate current activities of the host organization; relevance and depth of the host organization’s experience and capabilities; past performance; experience and capabilities of the PI; and the adequacy of the requested resources, and their supporting justification as they relate to the likely successful completion of the objectives.

D. Other Selection Factors In addition to the above criteria, the Selection Official (SO) may consider the following program policy factors in determining which applications to select for award negotiations:

• The degree to which the proposed project, including proposed cost share, optimizes the use of available DOE funding to achieve NE research goals and objectives;

• The degree to which the proposed project, or group of projects, represents a desired geographic distribution (considering past awards and current applications);

• The degree to which the proposed project will employ procurement of U.S. iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials.

• Other Cost/Budget considerations, including availability of funding.

• Extent that the applicant has awards in progress, or not completed, from NE, from a previous year’s award, or has existing no-cost time extensions.

• Demonstrated the ability of the applicant to successfully complete projects (including relevant prior projects) and to do so within budget and within the specified timeframe of the award.

The SO may consider any of the above factors independently in determining the optimum mix of applications that will be selected for support. These factors, while not indicators of the application’s merit, may be essential to the process of selecting the application(s) that, individually or collectively, will best achieve the program objectives. Such factors are often beyond the control of the applicant.

NE reserves the right to respond to potential shifts in priorities during FY 2026 that may be driven by events, policy developments, or Congressional/budget direction. NE will factor such considerations into decisions related to the timing and scale of award announcements associated with this NOFO.

NE reserves the right to award portions of a request so that available funding can have the highest impact for the nuclear energy community.

Applicants should recognize that some very good applications might not receive an award because of program policy factors and available funding. Therefore, the SO may use program policy factors to assist in determining which applications shall receive DOE funding support.

Section VII: Selection and Award Notices

VII. Selection and Award Notices

Please see the NOFO Part 2, Selection and Award Notices for information on notifications for Applications, Award Negotiations, and Post-Selection Information Requests.

Section VIII: Award Administration Information

VIII. Award Administration Information

A. Post-Award Requirements and Administration DOE requires all award recipients to follow and accept requirements governed by laws and policies – both federal government-wide and DOE or program specific. These post-award requirements include all National and Administrative Policy Requirements; financial assistance general Certifications and Representations; Build America, Buy America requirements; Davis-Bacon Act requirements;

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act-Specific Requirements; Fraud, Waste and Abuse requirements;

Safety, Security, and Regulatory requirements; and Environmental Review in Accordance with National Environmental Policy Act requirements.

Post-Award requirements and administration applicable to awards funded under this NOFO are identified below. Detailed descriptions of standard funding restrictions are provided in the NOFO Part 2, Post-Award Requirements and Administration section. Detailed descriptions of program specific funding restrictions are provided below the table.

Applicable Post-Award Requirements and Administration

Title Location Award Administrative Requirements NOFO Part 2 Subaward and Executive Reporting NOFO Part 2 National Policy Requirements NOFO Part 2 Applicant Representations and Certifications NOFO Part 2 Statement of Federal Stewardship NOFO Part 2 Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Financing Statements NOFO Part 2 Interim Conflict of Interest Policy for Financial Assistance NOFO Part 2 Whistleblower Protections NOFO Part 2 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse NOFO Part 2 Participants and Collaborating Organizations NOFO Part 2 Current and Pending Support NOFO…