Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003567
Apply for DE FOA 0003567
- The NNSA in the energy, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "CONSORTIUM FOR NUCLEAR FORENSICS" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.113.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-03-04.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-10. (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 $25,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The CONSORTIUM FOR NUCLEAR FORENSICS funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0003567) is a discretionary research and development program from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) that aims to directly support university-led basic research that strengthens and complements the applied nuclear forensics work conducted at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories. The core idea is to build a coordinated university consortium that can push foundational science forward in areas that matter for nuclear forensics, while also creating a strong pipeline of trained experts who can transition into national security missions.
The research scope is intentionally broad but clearly centered on the scientific and engineering underpinnings needed to identify, characterize, and interpret nuclear and radiological materials and related phenomena. The announcement highlights several priority disciplines, including radiochemistry and geochemistry (to understand material signatures and origins), shock physics and nuclear physics (to support interpretation of extreme events and underlying processes), radiation detector science and engineering (to improve measurement capability and confidence), and nuclear materials science and engineering (to understand how materials form, evolve, and retain forensic signatures). It also calls out nuclear chemical engineering, plus modeling, simulation, and optimization methods tailored to nuclear applications, indicating interest in both experimental and computational approaches that can strengthen attribution-relevant analyses. In addition, the opportunity explicitly includes seismology and infrasound methods that support yield determination, reflecting the need to connect physical observations from an event to quantitative assessments that matter for decision-making.
Beyond research results, the program places strong emphasis on workforce development as a major expected outcome. A stated secondary benefit is the creation of a diverse and highly capable cadre of technical professionals across multiple roles, not only scientists and engineers but also technicians and operational personnel. The intent is to prepare the next generation of technical leaders for nuclear mission areas that intersect with national security and public safety, including nuclear forensics, nonproliferation, incident response, intelligence support, and energy-related missions. While DOE National Laboratories are described as the primary beneficiaries of this talent pipeline (as future research staff), the announcement also anticipates broader benefits to academia, private industry, and other U.S. government stakeholders, specifically naming departments and communities such as Energy, State, Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, and the Intelligence Community.
From an administrative standpoint, the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial federal involvement compared to a standard grant and suggests close coordination with NNSA and/or DOE laboratory partners over the life of the project. The eligible applicants are limited to institutions of higher education, including both public/state-controlled universities and private universities. NNSA expects to make a single award under this opportunity, with an award ceiling of $25,000,000, indicating a large, consortium-scale effort rather than many smaller independent projects. The opportunity was created on 2026-03-04, and the original application closing date is 2026-06-10. The listed CFDA number is 81.113, and the activity category is Energy, Science and Technology, and other Research and Development, aligning the program with federally supported R&D intended to advance national capabilities in nuclear forensics while building long-term institutional and human capital.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Consortium for Nuclear Forensics (DE-FOA-0003567)
What is the Consortium for Nuclear Forensics funding opportunity?
The Consortium for Nuclear Forensics (DE-FOA-0003567) is a discretionary research and development funding opportunity from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). It is intended to directly support university-led basic research that strengthens and complements applied nuclear forensics work conducted at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories.
What is the main purpose of this program?
The program aims to build a coordinated, university-led consortium that advances foundational science important to nuclear forensics. A major purpose is also to create a strong pipeline of trained experts who can transition into national security missions and related technical roles.
Who is sponsoring and administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The program is positioned to complement work at DOE National Laboratories.
What type of funding instrument will be used?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This typically indicates substantial federal involvement compared to a standard grant and implies close coordination with NNSA and/or DOE laboratory partners during the project.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are limited to institutions of higher education. This includes both public/state-controlled universities and private universities.
How many awards does NNSA expect to make?
NNSA expects to make a single award under this funding opportunity, indicating it is designed for a large, consortium-scale effort.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $25,000,000.
Is this intended for individual research projects or a coordinated consortium?
Based on the description and the expectation of a single large award, the program is intended to support a coordinated university consortium rather than multiple independent, smaller projects.
What kinds of research does this program support?
The research scope is intentionally broad, but it is centered on the scientific and engineering foundations needed to identify, characterize, and interpret nuclear and radiological materials and related phenomena relevant to nuclear forensics.
Which scientific and technical disciplines are highlighted as priorities?
The announcement highlights multiple priority disciplines, including:
- Radiochemistry and geochemistry
- Shock physics and nuclear physics
- Radiation detector science and engineering
- Nuclear materials science and engineering
- Nuclear chemical engineering
- Modeling, simulation, and optimization methods tailored to nuclear applications
- Seismology and infrasound methods that support yield determination
Does the opportunity support both experimental and computational work?
Yes. The description signals interest in both experimental and computational approaches, including modeling, simulation, and optimization methods tailored to nuclear applications.
How does this program relate to nuclear forensics at DOE National Laboratories?
The program is intended to strengthen and complement the applied nuclear forensics work conducted at DOE National Laboratories by advancing university-led basic research in foundational areas that matter to nuclear forensics.
What is meant by "foundational science" in this context?
In this opportunity, foundational science refers to the basic scientific and engineering underpinnings used to identify, characterize, and interpret nuclear and radiological materials, including how materials form, evolve, and retain signatures that can be used for forensic interpretation and attribution-relevant analyses.
What is the role of workforce development in this program?
Workforce development is emphasized as a major expected outcome. The program aims to help create a diverse and highly capable cadre of technical professionals, including not only scientists and engineers but also technicians and operational personnel.
What kinds of career pathways or mission areas does the program aim to support?
The intent is to prepare the next generation of technical leaders for nuclear mission areas intersecting with national security and public safety, including nuclear forensics, nonproliferation, incident response, intelligence support, and energy-related missions.
Who benefits from the talent pipeline created by this program?
DOE National Laboratories are described as the primary beneficiaries as future research staff. The announcement also anticipates benefits to academia, private industry, and other U.S. government stakeholders.
Which U.S. government communities are specifically named as potential broader stakeholders?
The opportunity specifically names stakeholders and communities such as Energy, State, Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, and the Intelligence Community.
Does the opportunity include methods for yield determination?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes seismology and infrasound methods that support yield determination, reflecting a need to connect physical observations from an event to quantitative assessments used for decision-making.
What is the closing date for applications?
The original application closing date is 2026-06-10.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-03-04.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The listed CFDA number is 81.113.
How is the activity category described?
The activity category is listed as Energy, Science and Technology, and other Research and Development.
What does the award structure suggest about the scale and coordination of the project?
The combination of a cooperative agreement, an expected single award, and a $25,000,000 award ceiling suggests a large, highly coordinated consortium effort with close collaboration and alignment to NNSA and DOE National Laboratory mission needs.
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