Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000323
Apply for DE FOA 0000323
- The NNSA in the health science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Molybdenum 99" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.113 Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 26, 2010 and posted on Mar 26, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 11, 2010 No later than 1159 p.m., June 11, 2010 Eastern Standard Time (EST).. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
This funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0000323), titled "Molybdenum 99," was issued by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) under the U.S. Department of Energy and is focused on expanding and securing a reliable domestic supply of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99). Mo-99 is a critical medical isotope used to produce technetium-99m, which is widely used in nuclear medicine for diagnostic imaging. The central purpose of the announcement is to support research, development, demonstration, and eventual full-scale production pathways for Mo-99 that do not rely on highly enriched uranium (HEU), aligning the program with U.S. nonproliferation goals. In practical terms, the government is looking to help move the United States away from HEU-based isotope production while still ensuring a stable and dependable supply of this essential medical resource.
The technical scope emphasizes two major production routes: (1) low enriched uranium (LEU) fission target technology and (2) accelerator-based technology. On the LEU side, the work generally involves developing and validating targets made with LEU (rather than HEU), along with the associated irradiation, processing, and recovery steps needed to extract Mo-99 at meaningful scale. On the accelerator side, the intent is to support technologies that can produce Mo-99 (or relevant precursor pathways) using particle accelerators rather than uranium fission with HEU. The opportunity is framed around both demonstration and full-scale production readiness, suggesting that projects were expected not just to explore concepts, but to advance technologies toward operational deployment and sustained output.
The award instrument identified is a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial federal involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant. That usually means closer technical collaboration, more active oversight, and structured milestones or deliverables, consistent with the program’s emphasis on demonstration and production-scale outcomes. The opportunity falls under the discretionary category and is listed under a health science and technology and other research and development activity area, reflecting the intersection of medical isotope supply, nuclear technology, and national security considerations.
A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, meaning applicants were expected to contribute a portion of total project costs from non-federal sources. This requirement often signals that the agency is prioritizing applicants who can demonstrate real commitment, commercial alignment, or broader stakeholder investment, especially when the goal includes moving to full-scale production rather than stopping at laboratory research.
Eligibility was broad and included private and public institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (including other than small businesses), and small businesses. This range suggests NNSA anticipated proposals from universities, national-lab partners through eligible entities, commercial isotope producers, engineering firms, and technology developers capable of building and operating production infrastructure or key enabling components.
The program is associated with CFDA number 81.113, labeled Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research, which reinforces the nonproliferation driver behind replacing HEU in isotope production. The announcement was posted and created on March 26, 2010, with an application deadline of June 11, 2010, no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The archive date was September 11, 2010. Additional details and the full announcement were accessible via FedConnect, and the listed point of contact for access issues was Edward W. Williams III (505-845-6874, ewilliams@doeal.gov).
In summary, this FOA funded collaborative, cost-shared projects aimed at demonstrating and scaling technologies that can produce Mo-99 domestically using LEU-based fission targets and/or accelerator approaches, explicitly avoiding HEU. The broader policy objective was to strengthen U.S. medical isotope supply reliability while reducing proliferation risks tied to HEU use in civilian applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the funding opportunity number and title?
The funding opportunity is DE-FOA-0000323, titled "Molybdenum 99."
Which agency issued this opportunity?
This opportunity was issued by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) under the U.S. Department of Energy.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The central purpose is to expand and secure a reliable domestic supply of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) by supporting research, development, demonstration, and eventual full-scale production pathways that do not rely on highly enriched uranium (HEU).
Why is molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) important?
Mo-99 is a critical medical isotope used to produce technetium-99m, which is widely used in nuclear medicine for diagnostic imaging.
What policy goal does this opportunity support?
The opportunity aligns with U.S. nonproliferation goals by helping move Mo-99 production away from HEU-based methods while maintaining a stable and dependable medical isotope supply.
What technical approaches are emphasized in the scope?
The technical scope emphasizes two major production routes: (1) low enriched uranium (LEU) fission target technology and (2) accelerator-based technology.
What does the LEU fission target technology track generally involve?
On the LEU side, work generally involves developing and validating targets made with LEU (instead of HEU), along with associated irradiation, processing, and recovery steps needed to extract Mo-99 at meaningful scale.
What does the accelerator-based technology track focus on?
On the accelerator side, the intent is to support technologies that can produce Mo-99 (or relevant precursor pathways) using particle accelerators rather than uranium fission with HEU.
Is this opportunity focused only on early-stage research?
No. The opportunity is framed around both demonstration and full-scale production readiness, indicating projects were expected to advance technologies toward operational deployment and sustained output, not just explore concepts.
What type of award instrument is used?
The award instrument identified is a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement typically indicates substantial federal involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant. This commonly means closer technical collaboration, more active oversight, and structured milestones or deliverables, consistent with demonstration and production-scale outcomes.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, meaning applicants were expected to contribute a portion of total project costs from non-federal sources.
Why does the opportunity require cost sharing?
Based on the description provided, the cost-share requirement signals the agency is prioritizing applicants who can demonstrate commitment, commercial alignment, or broader stakeholder investment, especially where the goal includes moving toward full-scale production.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad and included private and public institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (including other than small businesses), and small businesses.
What kinds of organizations did NNSA likely expect to submit proposals?
The eligibility range suggests NNSA anticipated proposals from universities, national-lab partners through eligible entities, commercial isotope producers, engineering firms, and technology developers capable of building and operating production infrastructure or key enabling components.
How is this opportunity categorized?
The opportunity falls under the discretionary category and is listed under a health science and technology and other research and development activity area.
What CFDA number is associated with this program?
The program is associated with CFDA number 81.113, labeled Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research.
When was the announcement posted?
The announcement was posted and created on March 26, 2010.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was June 11, 2010, no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date was September 11, 2010.
Where were additional details and the full announcement available?
Additional details and the full announcement were accessible via FedConnect.
Who is the point of contact for access issues related to the announcement?
The listed point of contact for access issues was Edward W. Williams III. Phone: 505-845-6874. Email: ewilliams@doeal.gov.
Does the opportunity explicitly prohibit the use of HEU in supported pathways?
The stated goal is to support Mo-99 production pathways that do not rely on highly enriched uranium (HEU), explicitly aligning the program with nonproliferation objectives.
What is the broader intended outcome of projects funded under this FOA?
In summary, the FOA funded collaborative, cost-shared projects aimed at demonstrating and scaling technologies that can produce Mo-99 domestically using LEU-based fission targets and/or accelerator approaches, while avoiding HEU, to strengthen U.S. medical isotope supply reliability and reduce proliferation risks.
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