R&D Program FY22 Cover Letter final.pdf

February 1, 2022

SUBJECT: NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFO) NO. 31310022K0001

Dear Applicants:

Pursuant to the authority contained in the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977, as amended, and the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) hereby issues the above referenced Notice of Funding Opportunity for the program titled, “Research and Development Grant, Fiscal Year (FY) 2022.”

This NOFO is released on February 1, 2022 and applications are due on April 5, 2022. It is anticipated that this NOFO will result in the award of multiple grants. This is a three (3) year program. Research and Development (R&D) funds may be requested up to $500,000.00 total costs (direct costs and facilities and administrative costs) for the project period. All Applicants are required to have an active account with FedConnect, please see the Section entitled “Other Submission Requirements and Information” of the NOFO.

We would like to bring to your attention several sections in the FY2022 NOFO that were revised as follows:

• Section I – Funding Opportunity Description, subsection 1. Program Objectives to identify areas that provide direct and indirect, near- and longer-term benefits; and to expand the areas of interest.

• Section III – Eligibility Information o Subsection 1. Eligible Institutions to encourage institutions to partner with

Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

o Subsection 2.b Citizenship Requirement to provide clarifying information and add reference to certification template.

• Section IV – Application and Submission Information o Subsection 3.A.1 Application Content Revise section C - Project Description to increase the page number from five (5) pages to seven (7) pages.

Incorporate section H - Certification of Compliance with U.S. Immigration

Laws and Regulations (Research Grants) to include the required certification statement template.

o Subsection 3. Information on Civil Rights Compliance Requirements Imposed as a Condition of Award of NRC Federal Financial Assistance to enhance the language utilized.

• Section V – Application Review Information, subsection 2. Selection Criteria to incorporate a new criterion titled, “ Partnerships with Minority Serving Institutions.”

• Section VIII Other Information, Subsection 4. Office of Small Business and Civil Rights (SBCR) Compliance (Promote non-discrimination in NRC assisted programs and activities) to enhance the language.

NOFO No. 31310022K0001 - 2 -

• Standard Terms and Conditions for U.S. Nongovernmental Recipients:

o to update section titled Nondiscrimination.

o to revise section titled No-Cost Extensions to define when a no-cost extension might be considered.

o to revise section titled Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) Initiative to reference the new related criterion incorporated in Section V.2.

o to incorporate section titled Grant Recipient Protection from Reprisal for

Disclosure of Certain Information.

Thank you for your interest in the NRC Research and Development grant program. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely, Aracelis Pérez-Ortiz, Grants Officer Operations Branch B Acquisition Management Division