Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research
Active
- Assistance listing
- 81.113
- Agency
-
Department of Energy
- Grant awards
- 356 $692,785,185 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation
- Assistance types
-
- Cooperative Agreement
- Project Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 89-0309-0-1-053
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration funds basic and applied research reducing nuclear proliferation and weapons-of-mass-destruction threats through CFDA 81.113, with the most recent grant award dated August 1, 2026.
The program supports university-led research and consortia developing detection technologies, forensic capabilities, and expertise to identify foreign nuclear weapons programs, intercept illicit special nuclear materials, and characterize nuclear explosions. Recent awards exemplify the scope: the Consortium for Nuclear Forensics received $26.3 million for foundational research in radiochemistry, geochemistry, shock physics, and related disciplines; the Nuclear Science and Engineering Consortium for Nonproliferation was awarded $4.8 million to develop proliferation-detection technologies integrated into operational systems; and the Enabling Capabilities in Technology Consortium received $14.7 million to generate scientific knowledge and human capital critical to NNSA's nonproliferation mission. The program also funds international nonproliferation policy work, safeguards education and training, radiological incident preparedness, and export-control capacity building in foreign governments.
Grant awards remain active but modest in volume, averaging 2 to 4 awards per year over the past five years. Since 1998, the program has obligated $692.8 million in federal funding across 356 awards. Funding is concentrated within DOE and NNSA: the Department of Energy holds 306 awards totaling $347.4 million, while NNSA accounts for 47 awards valued at $337 million, with a small tail from DOE's Office of Environmental Management. The portfolio is predominantly Project Grants (69 percent) with a substantial share of Cooperative Agreements (30 percent). Awards are structured as up-to-five-year grants, fully funded for their lifecycle when appropriations allow, subject to annual review and audit.
Two grant opportunities are currently open. DE-FOA-0003567 (Consortium for Nuclear Forensics) closed June 10, 2026 and targets universities in public or private higher education conducting foundational research in radiochemistry, geochemistry, shock physics, and related fields to support nuclear forensics. DE-FOA-0003437 (Nuclear Science and Engineering Consortium for Nonproliferation), posted January 3, 2025 with a closing date of April 4, 2025, solicits cooperative agreements from higher education consortia to develop technologies and workforce expertise for detecting foreign nuclear proliferation activities; Modification-0001 clarified subapplicant page limits, added data management and project management plan requirements, and removed diversity, equity, and inclusion mandates as of January 27, 2025.
Eligible applicants are public and private universities and institutions of higher education whose results benefit NNSA, other federal agencies, and the broader higher-education research community. Grants are subject to annual Headquarters and NNSA Albuquerque Complex review, with selection criteria emphasizing technical merit, team capabilities, and past experience.
Objective and description
- Objective
To conduct basic and applied research and development that enhances U.S. national security and reduces the global danger from the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and special nuclear materials through needs- driven research and developmen
- Description
NNSA's Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development funds research to support nuclear security objectives and provide a conduit to migrate top talent toward technical applications in nuclear security. Each consortium is made up of different participating schools and each has its own standards for fellowships.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
Universities (public and private), institutions of higher education, whose activities benefit the general public through results which are available to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), other U.S. government agencies, and universities and institutions of higher learning may apply
- Beneficiary eligibility
The NNSA, other U.S. government agencies, universities and institutions of higher learning will benefit.
- Uses of assistance
Financial support, in whole or in part, may be provided for salaries, materials, supplies, equipment, travel, publication costs, services required for conducting nonproliferation research and development to reduce the global danger from the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Construction or related costs are not allowed under these project grants. All work must comply with export control regulations.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
The grant period is for up to five years depending upon available appropriations. The schedule of payments is arranged at the time of award, but it is expected that proposals will be fully funded for their five year lifecycles. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Depending on the program some can be awarded lump sum or incrementally funded.
How to apply
- Criteria for selecting proposals
The selection process will be determined on the following criteria: 1) technical merit; 2) team capabilities; 3) past experience.
- Award procedure
Evaluations will be conducted by technical staff assigned to the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development or at the DOE national laboratories. Final decisions for approval are made by the source selection authority. DOE/NNSA Procurement is then instructed to negotiate and prepare the grant award documents. Program management responsibilities may be delegated as a whole or in part to the NNSA Albuquerque Complex or NNSA Site Offices.
- Time to approval or disapproval
Deadlines will be provided in the individual NOFOs posted at Grants.gov.
- Renewals
Grants will be modified and extended as required. Renewals are subject to an annual review by the Headquarters and/or or NNSA Albuquerque Complex.
Grant opportunities
Show all 12
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 356 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Regents Of The University Of California | $86,430,295 | 12% |
| 2 | Northstar Medical Technologies, LLC | $67,805,737 | 10% |
| 3 | Regents Of The University Of Michigan | $54,659,408 | 8% |
| 4 | Georgia TECH Research Corp | $42,888,410 | 6% |
| 5 | Shine Technologies, LLC | $29,313,536 | 4% |
| 6 | Board Of Regents Of Nevada System Of Higher Education | $28,366,570 | 4% |
| 7 | North Carolina State University | $27,605,801 | 4% |
| 8 | University Of Florida | $25,000,000 | 4% |
| 9 | General Atomics | $24,532,280 | 4% |
| 10 | University Of Tennessee | $18,437,729 | 3% |
10 of 125 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | $20,072,550 |
| FY2025 | $32,289,782 |
| FY2024 | $18,923,913 |
| FY2023 | $28,718,199 |
| FY2022 | $2,674,152 |
| FY2021 | $22,645,412 |
| FY2020 | $20,038,989 |
| FY2019 | $80,867,976 |
| FY2018 | $40,206,118 |
| FY2017 | $41,689,233 |
| FY2016 | $31,447,076 |
| FY2015 | $21,945,324 |
| FY2014 | $42,632,838 |
| FY2013 | -$1,034,798 |
| FY2012 | $61,324,895 |
| FY2011 | $62,858,876 |
| FY2010 | $63,674,169 |
| FY2009 | $29,094,076 |
| FY2008 | $28,811,852 |
| FY2007 | $18,654,782 |
| FY2006 | $12,279,098 |
| FY2005 | $15,600,723 |
| FY2004 | $13,913,646 |
| FY2003 | $3,131,865 |
| FY2002 | $4,317,899 |
| FY2001 | $3,656,729 |
Show all 26
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 81.113?
Assistance Listing 81.113 is Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research, a federal grant program run by Department of Energy.
What is the CFDA number for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research?
Its CFDA number is 81.113: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 81.113 awarded?
356 grant awards under 81.113 have obligated $692,785,185 in federal funds to 125 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 81.113?
The recipients obligated the most under Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research are The Regents Of The University Of California ($86,430,295), Northstar Medical Technologies, LLC ($67,805,737) and Regents Of The University Of Michigan ($54,659,408).
How much did 81.113 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 81.113 obligated $32,289,782 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 81.113?
No opportunity listed under 81.113 is open now. The latest, Consortium for nuclear forensics, was posted on March 4, 2026.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
- Every grant award and opportunity under it
- Funding by recipient, agency and assistance type
- Alerts for new opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this program