Fuel Cycle Research and Development to Assess Options as Technologies and Economics Evolve

Amendment 001: This NOFO has been amended to comply an executive order issued by President Donald J. Trump entitled, "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing." The Department of Energy is moving aggressively to implement this executive order by suspending the following: • Diversity, equity and inclusion policies, procedures, programs, activities, and reviews involving or relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives and principles until further notice; • Requiring, using or enforcing community benefits plans; and • Requiring, using or enforcing Justice40 requirements, conditions or principles in any loans, loan guarantees, grants, cost sharing agreements, funding opportunity announcements, contracts, contract awards or any other source of financial assistance. As a result, the Office of Nuclear Energy has amended this notice of funding opportunity to remove the Program Policy Factors for energy equity and the Justice40 Initiative. The application due date is changed from February 19, 2025, to March 4, 2025. The Webinar is cancelled. A Questions and Answer Document is added as an attachment to this NOFO. - DOE-NE currently supports research and development activities to evaluate the technology options and economics for recycling valuable components of irradiated nuclear fuel. Technical scopes include used nuclear fuel (UNF) from current fleet and advanced reactor designs. The term UNF (or "used fuel") is synonymous with the term "spent nuclear fuel." The legal definition of "spent nuclear fuel" is provided by Section 2 (23) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended (NWPA). DOE-NE undertakes these activities in support of the Administration's objectives to regain the U.S.'s technological leadership position in the global nuclear industry and to achieve the United States' energy security. DOE-NE recognizes that continued efforts in line with NSM-19 policy guidance will be necessary to assure U.S. leadership in the research, design, and development of advanced recycling technologies, and to assess options as technologies and economics evolve. The activities to be funded under this NOFO support the broader government-wide approach to advance nuclear fuel cycle technologies to promote the nuclear energy portfolio within the U.S. which will maximize the benefits of the clean energy transition as the nation works to curb the climate crisis, empower workers, and advance environmental justice.

DOE-NE currently supports research and development activities to evaluate the technology options and economics for recycling valuable components of irradiated nuclear fuel. Technical scopes include used nuclear fuel (UNF) from current fleet and advanced reactor designs. The term UNF (or "used fuel") is synonymous with the term "spent nuclear fuel." The legal definition of "spent nuclear fuel" is provided by Section 2 (23) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended (NWPA). DOE-NE undertakes these activities in support of the Administration's objectives to regain the U.S.'s technological leadership position in the global nuclear industry and to achieve the United States' energy security. DOE-NE recognizes that continued efforts in line with NSM-19 policy guidance will be necessary to assure U.S. leadership in the research, design, and development of advanced recycling technologies, and to assess options as technologies and economics evolve. The activities to be funded under this NOFO support the broader government-wide approach to advance nuclear fuel cycle technologies to promote the nuclear energy portfolio within the U.S. which will maximize the benefits of the clean energy transition as the nation works to curb the climate crisis, empower workers, and advance environmental justice.