Fiscal Year 2024 Phase II Continuation Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research

A. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

This FOA is for Phase II Continuation Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research (CINR) and is thus referred to in this document as the "Phase II Continuation CINR FOA."

A.1 Background and Objectives

The Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) mission is to advance nuclear energy science and technology to meet U.S. energy, environmental, and economic needs. 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:

• Keep existing U.S. nuclear reactor operating

• Deploy new nuclear reactors

• Secure and sustain our nuclear fuel cycle

• Expand international nuclear energy cooperation

Collectively, all NE-sponsored activities support the Department's priorities to combat the climate crisis, create clean energy jobs with the free and fair chance to join a union and bargain collectively, and promote equity and environmental justice by delivering innovative clean energy technologies for nuclear energy systems.

All applications submitted under this Phase II Continuation CINR FOA must demonstrate a strong tie to at least one of these four mission priorities and highlight how it supports DOE priorities. Applications focused specifically in areas not of interest to the NE mission, such as fusion energy, medical physics, nuclear forensics, or environmental management, will not be reviewed or considered.

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 NE resources.

This Phase II Continuation CINR FOA provides opportunities for teams that have performed high quality work through the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) to propose new projects that complement and enhance ongoing NEUP research through a competitive application and review process. This phase II process is executed through NEUP. NEUP supports university-based infrastructure and R & D (including Integrated Research Projects) in areas relevant to the NE mission.

While this Phase II Continuation CINR FOA specifies many of NE's current and upcoming R & D priorities, NE reserves the right to respond to potential shifts in R & D priorities during Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 that may be driven by events, policy developments, or Congressional/budget direction. Further, NE reserves the right to fund all or part of an application to this FOA.