Silcon Carbide Cladding Lead Test Rod Development-Phase 1
Open Posted
- Opportunity number
- DE-FOA-0003577
- Agency
-
National Nuclear Security Administration
Department of Energy
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $62,500,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Energy
- Eligible applicants
-
- Small Businesses
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Special District Governments
- State Governments
- County Governments
- City/Township Governments
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- For Profit Organizations
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Points of contact
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy, Idaho Operations Office, is soliciting applications for a single cooperative agreement to develop and fabricate silicon carbide cladding specimens for research reactor irradiation and post-irradiation examination, with applications due December 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET. The opportunity carries a mandatory minimum 20% nonfederal cost share ($12.5 million) against approximately $50 million in federal funding, for a total project cost of approximately $62.5 million. The opportunity record lists the National Nuclear Security Administration as the agency, while the NOFO identifies the Office of Nuclear Energy.
Eligible applicants are domestic institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and Indian Tribes. DOE and non-DOE Federally Funded Research and Development Centers and federal agencies may participate only as subrecipients. Foreign entities are ineligible without explicit written waiver approval. DOE anticipates one award.
The period of performance is three years beginning April 6, 2027, structured as three consecutive 12-month budget periods with Go/No-Go decision points. Selection notification is anticipated February 5, 2027. All work must be performed in the United States, though materials may be sourced internationally, and foreign work requires a written waiver.
Technical merit carries 50% of the evaluation weight, project management 25%, and team capabilities and resources 25%. Reviewers also consider industry involvement, domestic employment and manufacturing impacts, and ability to minimize administrative burden. The technical volume is limited to 30 pages.
Required research spans SiC cladding irradiation performance qualification to support NRC licensing, thermal-hydraulic characteristics, mechanical testing, fabrication methods development, accident scenario testing, modeling and simulation, and supply chain development. A Data Management Plan is mandatory at the application stage, and selected applicants must submit a cybersecurity plan before receiving funding.
The October 26, 2026 Q&A supersedes the eXCHANGE submission route: applications are submitted by email to SiC_Cladding_NOFO@id.doe.gov, control numbers are not required, and biographical sketches are limited to 2 pages. The opportunity is assigned to CFDA 81.121, Nuclear Energy Research, Development and Demonstration.
Synopsis
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
Silcon Carbide Cladding Lead Test Rod Development-Phase 1 Research, development, and fabrication of Silicon Carbide cladding specimens for research reactor insertion, irradiation, and post-irradiation examinations by 2030. The objective of this program is to advance the scientific and technological maturity of silicon carbide cladding for nuclear fuel rods for future use in commercial light water reactors.
Update #1 ·
Silicon Carbide Cladding Lead Test Rod Development-Phase 1Research, development, and fabrication of Silicon Carbide cladding specimens for research reactor insertion, irradiation, and post-irradiation examinations by 2030. The objective of this program is to advance the scientific and technological maturity of silicon carbide cladding for nuclear fuel rods for future use in commercial light water reactors.
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