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Radiochemistry Summer School Grant (DE-FOA-0001463) FAQs

1) What is the Radiochemistry Summer School grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant opportunity intended to launch or support an undergraduate summer school focused on radiochemistry. It is designed to provide concentrated training in the fundamentals of radiochemistry, including classroom and hands-on experiences where appropriate.

2) What is the main goal of this summer school program?

The goal is workforce development: expanding undergraduate access to radiochemistry training to help address mission-critical needs across DOE and the U.S. nuclear industry. DOE frames the summer school as a direct response to a shrinking pipeline of trained radiochemists.

3) Which topics does the FOA emphasize?

The program emphasizes the nuclear fuel cycle, with a strong focus on the back end of the fuel cycle. In practice, that points toward radiochemical issues that arise after fuel has been irradiated, including topics tied to used fuel, reprocessing and separations, waste forms, and waste handling.

4) What does "back end of the nuclear fuel cycle" mean in this FOA context?

Based on the description provided, it refers to post-irradiation challenges and activities such as used fuel management, reprocessing and separations, development and performance of waste forms, and safe handling of radioactive materials and associated radiochemical processes after fuel has been irradiated.

5) Why is DOE offering this funding opportunity?

DOE cites a limited number of universities with the specialized facilities, licensing, and expertise needed for students to safely work with radionuclides. Because access is limited, the training pipeline has narrowed, creating a barrier to solving national radiochemistry challenges. This FOA is positioned as a way to expand training opportunities.

6) Who is this program intended to benefit?

The program is intended to benefit undergraduate students by providing concentrated training and increased access to radiochemistry education and practical exposure to radionuclide-related work, especially as it relates to nuclear fuel cycle needs.

7) What type of funding mechanism is being offered?

Funding is offered as a grant under the Energy activity category, and the opportunity is described as a discretionary DOE award.

8) Who is eligible to apply for this grant?

Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education as well as private institutions of higher education. The intent is that a university or similar higher-education entity would operate the summer school and provide the instructional and laboratory environment.

9) Can an institution apply even if it does not currently have specialized radiochemistry facilities?

The FOA highlights that specialized facilities, licensing, and expertise are limited across universities and that this limitation is part of the motivation for the program. However, the information provided does not specify additional requirements or pathways for institutions that lack these capabilities.

10) How many awards does DOE expect to make?

The award structure indicates a single expected award.

11) What is the maximum funding amount available?

The award ceiling is $900,000.

12) Which DOE office or site is listed as the issuing agency?

DOE-ID is listed as the issuing agency.

13) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DE FOA 0001463.

14) When was this funding opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted and created on January 12, 2016.

15) What was the application deadline?

The application closing date was February 12, 2016.

16) What kind of program does DOE want supported or implemented?

DOE is supporting the implementation of a dedicated undergraduate summer training program (a radiochemistry summer school) that expands access to radiochemistry education and practical exposure to radionuclide-related work, aligned with nuclear fuel cycle needs and specifically the back-end challenges important to national programs and industry operations.

17) Is the summer school intended to be hands-on, classroom-based, or both?

The description indicates the summer school is meant to provide concentrated training and to expand both hands-on and classroom experience, reflecting DOE's emphasis on practical exposure as well as fundamentals.

18) Does the FOA specify a particular student level (undergraduate vs. graduate)?

Yes. The opportunity is specifically focused on an undergraduate summer school and undergraduate students.

19) Does the FOA connect this program to national needs?

Yes. DOE describes a narrowed training pipeline as a barrier to solving national radiochemistry challenges and positions the summer school as a workforce-development response to mission-critical needs across DOE and the U.S. nuclear industry.

20) Does the information provided list required curriculum details or a specific course list?

The information provided describes emphasis areas (fundamentals of radiochemistry and the nuclear fuel cycle, particularly the back end) but does not provide a detailed required curriculum, schedule, or course list.