Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003543
Apply for DE FOA 0003543
- The Idaho Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fiscal Year 2026 University Nuclear Research Infrastructure Revitalization" 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 2026-03-25.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-13. (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 $6,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Fiscal Year 2026 University Nuclear Research Infrastructure Revitalization opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0003543) is a discretionary federal grant program in the energy area (CFDA 81.121) administered through the U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho Field Office. As presented, the program is framed around revitalizing university nuclear research infrastructure, which typically means supporting major improvements or upgrades to the physical and technical capabilities universities rely on to conduct nuclear-related research and training. In practice, opportunities with this title generally focus on strengthening the long-term capacity of U.S. higher education institutions to perform nuclear science and engineering work by modernizing facilities, equipment, and enabling infrastructure that are difficult to fund through standard research awards.
Eligible applicants are limited to institutions of higher education, including both public/state-controlled universities and private universities. That means proposals are expected to come directly from colleges and universities rather than from private companies, national laboratories acting alone, or non-profits that are not degree-granting institutions. The emphasis on infrastructure suggests awards may be intended for capital-type needs (for example, significant facility improvements, specialized laboratory systems, safety and compliance upgrades, or other foundational assets that enable research), although the provided source text does not list specific allowable cost categories or technical subtopics.
Key dates and funding parameters provided include an original application closing date of May 13, 2026, and an award ceiling of $6,000,000 per award. The listing shows "ExpectedAwards: 0," which often indicates the number of anticipated awards has not been finalized or was not populated in the public record at the time of posting rather than a guarantee that no awards will be made. The opportunity was created (posted) on March 25, 2026. Because it is a competitive discretionary grant, applicants should expect a formal merit review process and compliance with standard DOE financial assistance requirements, with the Idaho Field Office serving as the identified agency office for the solicitation.
In short, this FOA is a DOE funding opportunity aimed at U.S. universities seeking substantial support (up to $6 million) to renew or strengthen nuclear research infrastructure, with applications due May 13, 2026, and eligibility restricted to accredited public or private institutions of higher education under DOE assistance listing 81.121.
FY 2026 University Nuclear Research Infrastructure Revitalization (DE-FOA-0003543) - FAQs
What is this funding opportunity?
This is the Fiscal Year 2026 University Nuclear Research Infrastructure Revitalization funding opportunity, identified by Funding Opportunity Number (FON) DE-FOA-0003543. It is a discretionary federal grant program in the energy area administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Idaho Field Office, under assistance listing (CFDA) 81.121.
What is the main purpose of this FOA?
The FOA is framed around revitalizing university nuclear research infrastructure. Based on the description provided, the intent is to strengthen the long-term capacity of U.S. universities to conduct nuclear science and engineering research and training by modernizing facilities, equipment, and enabling infrastructure that is typically difficult to support through standard research awards.
What kinds of projects does "infrastructure revitalization" generally refer to?
The provided description indicates an emphasis on major improvements or upgrades to the physical and technical capabilities universities rely on for nuclear-related research and training. In practice, efforts under an infrastructure-focused program title like this often center on modernization of foundational assets that enable research, such as significant facility improvements, specialized laboratory systems, or safety and compliance-related upgrades. (The source text does not provide a definitive list of allowable cost categories or technical subtopics.)
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are limited to institutions of higher education. This includes public/state-controlled universities and private universities.
Are non-university entities eligible to apply on their own?
No. Based on the information provided, proposals are expected to come directly from colleges and universities rather than from private companies, national laboratories acting alone, or non-profits that are not degree-granting institutions.
Which federal agency is administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), with the Idaho Field Office identified as the agency office for the solicitation.
Is this a discretionary or formula grant?
This is a discretionary federal grant program. That generally means funding decisions are made competitively rather than being distributed by formula.
What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The assistance listing (CFDA) number provided is 81.121.
What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date listed is May 13, 2026.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was created (posted) on March 25, 2026.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $6,000,000 per award.
Is there information on the minimum award amount?
No minimum award amount is provided in the information shared.
How many awards will DOE make?
The listing shows "ExpectedAwards: 0." Based on the description provided, this commonly indicates that the number of anticipated awards was not finalized or not populated in the public record at the time of posting, rather than confirming that no awards will be made.
Does the FOA specify particular technical subtopics or allowable cost categories?
No. The source text notes that the provided information does not list specific allowable cost categories or technical subtopics, even though the overall theme suggests capital-type or infrastructure-focused needs.
Should applicants expect a competitive review process?
Yes. Because this is described as a competitive discretionary grant, applicants should expect a formal merit review process.
What types of compliance requirements apply?
The information provided states that applicants should expect compliance with standard DOE financial assistance requirements. No additional compliance specifics are included in the provided description.
Is this opportunity focused on universities in a specific state or region?
The information provided does not indicate a geographic restriction tied to a state or region. The administering office is the DOE Idaho Field Office, but eligibility is described broadly as U.S. institutions of higher education.
What is the overall funding focus area?
The opportunity is described as being in the energy area and focused on nuclear research infrastructure at universities.
Can a university use this funding for research projects rather than infrastructure?
The description emphasizes infrastructure revitalization (major improvements and upgrades that enable research and training), not standard research projects. The provided text does not specify allowable or unallowable uses beyond that general infrastructure focus.
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