The Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration is soliciting applications for a cooperative agreement to fund Silicon Carbide cladding research, development, fabrication, irradiation testing, and post-irradiation examination targeting completion by 2030, with an application deadline of December 7, 2026. This is a single-award opportunity with approximately $50 million in federal funding and a mandatory minimum 20% nonfederal cost share, resulting in a total project cost of $62.5 million.
Eligible applicants include domestic entities: institutions of higher education (public and private), for-profit organizations, nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), state and local government entities, and Indian Tribes. DOE and non-DOE Federally Funded Research and Development Centers may participate as subrecipients only. Foreign entities are ineligible unless granted explicit written waiver; all work must be performed in the United States, though materials may be sourced from foreign sources.
The period of performance runs three years beginning April 6, 2027, structured as three consecutive 12-month budget periods with Go/No-Go decision points. The program advances scientific and technological maturity of silicon carbide cladding for nuclear fuel rods in commercial light water reactors through irradiation performance qualification, thermal-hydraulic characterization, mechanical testing, fabrication methods development, accident scenario testing, modeling and simulation, and supply chain development supporting NRC licensing and commercial adoption.
Technical applications are evaluated on technical merit (50% weight), project management (25% weight), and team capabilities and resources (25% weight). Additional consideration factors include industry involvement, domestic employment and manufacturing impacts, and administrative burden minimization. Applications must include a 30-page technical volume with project overview, detailed technical description, workplan with SMART milestones and Go/No-Go decision points, budget justification, biographical sketches, current/pending support disclosures, and resumes. Selection notification is anticipated February 5, 2027, with award date of April 6, 2027.
This opportunity is assigned to CFDA 81.121, Nuclear Energy Research, Development and Demonstration.