Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003364
The Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) is offering a discretionary funding opportunity (DE FOA 0003364) focused on fuel cycle research and development that helps the U.S. evaluate and reassess nuclear fuel recycling options as both technologies and economic conditions change over time. The central aim is to support research that examines technical pathways and cost considerations for recovering and recycling valuable components from irradiated nuclear fuel, with the broader intent of strengthening the domestic nuclear energy sector and keeping U.S. capabilities competitive globally. The opportunity is administered through the DOE Idaho Field Office and will use a cooperative agreement mechanism, meaning DOE expects substantial involvement during the project period rather than a hands-off grant structure.
The technical scope centers on "used nuclear fuel" (UNF), explicitly treated as synonymous with "spent nuclear fuel." The notice points to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (as amended) for the legal definition of spent nuclear fuel, which signals that projects should be grounded in established statutory and regulatory context when describing materials, handling assumptions, and downstream implications. Research topics are intended to span used fuel arising from the current U.S. reactor fleet as well as fuel from advanced reactor designs, reflecting DOE-NE's interest in approaches that remain relevant as new reactor technologies mature and as future fuel forms and compositions evolve.
Programmatically, the work is positioned as part of a national strategy to rebuild and maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear technology and to support energy security objectives. The opportunity also explicitly aligns with NSM-19 policy guidance, emphasizing continued U.S. leadership in the research, design, and development of advanced recycling technologies and in the ongoing assessment of fuel cycle options. In practical terms, this framing suggests DOE is looking for projects that do more than demonstrate a single process step; it is also looking for analysis that helps compare options, quantify tradeoffs, and inform decisions as the state of the art and market conditions shift.
The notice ties these R&D activities to a broader government-wide clean energy approach, framing nuclear fuel cycle advances as part of a strategy to expand and sustain the U.S. nuclear energy portfolio during the clean energy transition. It highlights outcomes such as reducing climate impacts, supporting workers, and advancing environmental justice, which implies applicants may benefit from clearly describing how their proposed work could translate into long-term system benefits, risk reduction, or improved sustainability and equity outcomes in communities affected by energy and industrial infrastructure.
Eligibility is limited to for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses. The stated award ceiling is $5,000,000. The original closing date is February 19, 2025. The listing shows "ExpectedAwards: 0," which can appear in postings for various administrative reasons, so interested applicants typically verify intent and award expectations in the full NOFO text and any amendments. The CFDA number associated with the program is 81.121, and the funding activity category is Energy. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at applied, decision-relevant R&D that improves the technical and economic basis for nuclear fuel recycling options across both today's reactors and emerging advanced systems, while supporting U.S. competitiveness and clean energy policy goals.Apply for DE FOA 0003364
- The Idaho Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fuel Cycle Research and Development to Assess Options as Technologies and Economics Evolve" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.121.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-19. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
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