Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000568

  • The NNSA in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Proliferation Detection Research" 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 Dec 29, 2011 and posted on Dec 14, 2011.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 30, 2012 Applications should be received by 30 January 2012 not later than 115959 PM Eastern Time in Grants.gov.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $20,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education.
Apply for DE FOA 0000568

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Opportunity Summary:

The Proliferation Detection Research grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000568) is a discretionary research grant program run by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), specifically within Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) and its Office of Nonproliferation and Verification Research and Development (DNN RD). The central purpose of the program is to fund research and development that strengthens the United States' ability to detect, interpret, and monitor signs that could indicate foreign nuclear weapons activities. In practical terms, the program is aimed at advancing the scientific and technical foundations that support nuclear nonproliferation monitoring and verification, with a focus on improving how potential proliferation signals are sensed, analyzed, and confirmed.

The FOA is targeted at university-led research, with eligibility limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education (as further defined in the FOA's eligibility section). While DNN RD works broadly across the U.S. technical base including DOE National Laboratories, academia, and industry, this particular announcement explicitly solicits applications from universities. The work areas highlighted in the announcement point to a mix of hardware, materials science, data science, and analytical chemistry capabilities that can be translated into better field or remote monitoring tools for nonproliferation missions.

Research topics emphasized in the solicitation include radiation sensors and advanced materials research, which typically covers the development of improved detector materials, novel sensor architectures, higher sensitivity or selectivity, and more robust systems for detecting radiation signatures relevant to nuclear activities. It also includes remote sensing simulations, algorithms, and modeling, which signals interest in methods that help interpret remote or standoff observations, improve signal extraction in complex environments, and build predictive or physics-based models that support detection and attribution. A third area is enabling technology for mass spectrometry, reflecting the importance of high-precision measurement science for characterizing isotopic or chemical signatures that can reveal nuclear fuel-cycle related activities. Collectively, these areas reflect the end-to-end problem of finding small or obscured indicators, converting them into reliable measurements, and using modeling and algorithms to turn data into defensible assessments.

From a funding and administrative standpoint, the opportunity was posted December 14, 2011, with an application deadline of January 30, 2012, due by 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time through Grants.gov. The program is listed under CFDA 81.113 (Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research). DOE estimated total funding at $20,000,000, with an award ceiling of $750,000 and no stated award floor. The agency indicated it expected to make around 8 to 10 awards in FY2012 and another 8 to 10 awards in FY2013, depending on award size, while also reserving the right to make more awards, fewer awards, or none at all. The announcement also specifies that there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which lowers barriers for academic applicants who may not have discretionary funds to contribute.

For applicants needing help obtaining the full announcement, the listed point of contact is Delmeria M. Pacheco at NNSA (505-845-4381, Delmeria.Pacheco@nnsa.doe.gov), and the announcement referenced FedConnect as an additional information source. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a focused university research program designed to push forward detection and verification technologies that underpin U.S. nonproliferation efforts, spanning detector and materials innovation, remote sensing and computational methods, and mass spectrometry enabling advances.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Proliferation Detection Research grant opportunity?

The Proliferation Detection Research grant opportunity is a discretionary research grant program run by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). It supports research and development intended to strengthen the United States' ability to detect, interpret, and monitor indicators that could suggest foreign nuclear weapons-related activities.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0000568.

Which DOE/NNSA office is sponsoring this program?

The program is within NNSA's Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN), specifically through the Office of Nonproliferation and Verification Research and Development (DNN RD).

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The central purpose is to fund R&D that improves the scientific and technical foundations for nuclear nonproliferation monitoring and verification. The focus is on improving how potential proliferation signals are sensed, analyzed, interpreted, and confirmed in support of nonproliferation missions.

Who is eligible to apply?

The opportunity is targeted at university-led research. Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education (as defined in the FOA's eligibility section).

Is this opportunity open to non-university organizations?

This announcement explicitly solicits applications from universities. While DNN RD works broadly across the U.S. technical base (including DOE National Laboratories, academia, and industry), this particular FOA is aimed at university applicants.

What research topic areas are emphasized in the solicitation?

The FOA emphasizes several research areas tied to proliferation detection and verification, including:

  • Radiation sensors and advanced materials research
  • Remote sensing simulations, algorithms, and modeling
  • Enabling technology for mass spectrometry

What kinds of work fit under radiation sensors and advanced materials research?

This area typically includes efforts such as improved detector materials, novel sensor architectures, higher sensitivity or selectivity, and more robust systems for detecting radiation signatures relevant to nuclear activities.

What does the FOA mean by remote sensing simulations, algorithms, and modeling?

This area reflects interest in methods that improve interpretation of remote or standoff observations, enhance signal extraction in complex environments, and develop predictive or physics-based models that support detection and attribution.

What is meant by enabling technology for mass spectrometry?

This area focuses on technologies that improve high-precision measurement science used to characterize isotopic or chemical signatures that may reveal nuclear fuel-cycle related activities.

How much total funding is available under this FOA?

DOE estimated total funding for the opportunity at $20,000,000.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $750,000.

Is there a minimum award amount (award floor)?

No award floor is stated.

How many awards does the agency expect to make?

The agency indicated it expected to make approximately 8 to 10 awards in FY2012 and another 8 to 10 awards in FY2013, depending on award size. It also reserved the right to make more awards, fewer awards, or none at all.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement specifies there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on December 14, 2011.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is January 30, 2012, due by 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time.

How do applicants submit an application?

Applications are submitted through Grants.gov.

What CFDA number is associated with this program?

The program is listed under CFDA 81.113 (Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research).

Where can applicants find additional information about the announcement?

The announcement referenced FedConnect as an additional information source.

Who is the point of contact for help obtaining the full announcement?

The listed point of contact is Delmeria M. Pacheco at NNSA. Phone: 505-845-4381. Email: Delmeria.Pacheco@nnsa.doe.gov.

What is the overall scope of the research this FOA supports?

Overall, the FOA supports university research intended to advance detection and verification technologies underpinning U.S. nonproliferation efforts, spanning detector and materials innovation, remote sensing and computational methods, and enabling advances in mass spectrometry.

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