National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Program
Active
- Assistance listing
- 81.123
- Agency
-
Department of Energy
- Grant awards
- 149 $332,368,122 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program (MSIPP) & Tribal Education Partnership Program (TEPP)
- Assistance types
-
- Project Grant
- Cooperative Agreement
- Block Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 89-0240-0-1-053
- 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's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) funds research and education partnerships between Minority Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and the nuclear security enterprise, under Assistance Listing 81.123, with the most recent award issued August 1, 2026.
The program builds workforce capacity for the NNSA Nuclear Security Enterprise by funding consortium-based research, education, and student development in advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, engineering, and nuclear security. Awards support curriculum enhancement, student internships and research experiences at national laboratories, faculty collaboration with NNSA scientists, and K-20 pipeline development targeting underrepresented minorities and American Indian students. Recent awards have funded additive manufacturing research at minority institutions, radiation detection systems development, cyber manufacturing capabilities, nuclear materials characterization, and trade technician training programs aligned with NNSA facility staffing needs.
The program is predominantly Project Grants (93 percent of 149 total awards), with smaller shares of Cooperative Agreements, Block Grants, and Formula Grants. Funding concentrates heavily within DOE: the NNSA National Nuclear Security Administration obligated $190.4 million across 59 awards, while DOE obligated $142 million across 90 awards—together representing 100 percent of the program's $332.4 million in federal obligations. Award activity has varied, with 8–9 awards annually in 2022–2023, declining to 5 in 2024, 1 in 2025, and 3 in 2026 to date.
Recent awards exemplify the scope: Jackson State University received $4.676 million to establish a consortium pipeline in nanomaterials research and recruitment from high school through postdoctoral levels; United Tribes Technical College received $5 million for engineering education advancement and internships at national laboratories; and Texas Southern University received $964 thousand for advanced tungsten alloy manufacturing research aligned with defense needs.
A major open opportunity is DE-FOA-0003285, the Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Program Consortia Grant Program, posted January 2024 with rolling due dates of March 15 and June 15 annually, open through 2027 to new or renewal consortium applications from accredited higher education institutions. However, as of January 21, 2025, this NOFO is temporarily closed due to limited funding. A separate opportunity, DE-FOA-0002898 for Community and Junior College Trade Occupation Programs, closed February 17, 2023. Proposals are evaluated on technical merit, strategic education and training approach, and qualifications of teaming arrangements; grant periods run five years depending on appropriations, with reimbursable payment terms.
Objective and description
- Objective
The Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program supports technical research in support of the nuclear stockpile mission and develops a career workforce pathway between Institutions of Higher Education and the NNSA National Laboratories, Plants,
- Description
The MSIPP supports Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). The Tribal Education Partnership Program (TEPP) supports Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Community Colleges.
- Beneficiary eligibility
The general public, scientists, researchers, student/trainee, graduate students, institutions of higher learning, NNSA, and other US government agencies will benefit. Elementary, Middle and high school students will also benefit due to the institutions of higher learning's programs supported by NNSA.
- Uses of assistance
Financial support, in whole or in part, may be provided for salaries, stipends, materials and supplies, equipment, travel, publication and training, and services required for conducting research, training, and related activities. Funding is provided for the purpose of exploring an idea that does not duplicate work already in progress or contemplated by DOE, is not already known to DOE, or has previously unrecognized merit. Restrictions on the use of funds depend on grant provisions.
- Use restrictions
In addition to the above restrictions (not allowable under this program), restrictions for award recipients are listed in the NOFO, including the requirement for all funded persons and collaborators to meet the U.S. Person requirement.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
The grant period of performance is 5 years depending upon available appropriations. Expenditure of funds is allowed during the budget period specified in the grant document. The payment type and schedule are negotiated and agreed upon at the time of award. Funding is provided to the grantee on a reimbursable basis unless the grant provisions specify otherwise.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
Pre-application coordination should be aligned with the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
- Criteria for selecting proposals
The selection process is based on the following criteria: (1) Technical Merit - Extent to which the proposal addresses objectives of the program to include an understanding of how proposed research is aligned to existing gaps in the field and include the capacity and ability to effectively conduct the program, (2) Strategic Approach for Education, Training and Student Development with a clear vision and objectives for educating and training students, (3) Qualifications and Teaming Arrangement that represents a successful collaboration to achieve objectives.
- Award procedure
Applications will receive an administrative screening to determine if they are complete and in compliance with the terms of the solicitation. A technical merit review will be conducted in accordance with the 2 CFR Part 200. The review and selection process for each funding opportunity are included in the solicitation.
- Time to approval or disapproval
Estimated range is from 90 to 180 days.
- Renewals
Proposals for funded renewals should be submitted to the next open funding opportunity announcement.
Grant opportunities
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 149 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida A & M University | $27,685,240 | 8% |
| 2 | Norfolk State University | $24,787,095 | 7% |
| 3 | Educational Advancement Alliance Inc. | $13,820,500 | 4% |
| 4 | North Carolina Agricultural And Technical State University | $13,544,872 | 4% |
| 5 | Claflin University | $13,301,995 | 4% |
| 6 | Florida International University | $12,925,364 | 4% |
| 7 | Allen University | $12,251,080 | 4% |
| 8 | The University Of Texas At El Paso | $11,883,718 | 4% |
| 9 | The University Of Texas At San Antonio | $11,833,560 | 4% |
| 10 | Turtle Mountain College | $10,668,245 | 3% |
10 of 62 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | $9,920,566 |
| FY2025 | $20,431,282 |
| FY2024 | $20,797,670 |
| FY2023 | $18,511,444 |
| FY2022 | $17,826,181 |
| FY2021 | $31,829,991 |
| FY2020 | $19,402,357 |
| FY2019 | $10,610,321 |
| FY2018 | $13,074,498 |
| FY2017 | $10,090,432 |
| FY2016 | $11,793,927 |
| FY2015 | $7,899,806 |
| FY2014 | $5,599,301 |
| FY2013 | $8,574,648 |
| FY2012 | $7,448,946 |
| FY2011 | $11,366,825 |
| FY2010 | $36,187,168 |
| FY2009 | $23,541,000 |
| FY2008 | $16,998,000 |
| FY2007 | $7,164,258 |
| FY2006 | $6,500,000 |
| FY2005 | $16,237,500 |
Show all 22
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 81.123?
Assistance Listing 81.123 is National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Program, a federal grant program run by Department of Energy.
What is the CFDA number for National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Program?
Its CFDA number is 81.123: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 81.123 awarded?
149 grant awards under 81.123 have obligated $332,368,122 in federal funds to 62 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 81.123?
The recipients obligated the most under National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Program are Florida A & M University ($27,685,240), Norfolk State University ($24,787,095) and Educational Advancement Alliance Inc. ($13,820,500).
How much did 81.123 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 81.123 obligated $20,431,282 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 81.123?
No opportunity listed under 81.123 is open now. The latest, Minority serving institutions partnership program (msipp) consortia grant program (CGP), was posted on January 5, 2024.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
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