Research, Development and Training in Isotope Production | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity trying to accomplish?

This Department of Energy (DOE) funding opportunity supports research, development, and training aimed at improving how the United States produces isotopes. It focuses on advancing the production of both radioactive isotopes and enriched stable isotopes that are widely used in science, medicine, national security, and industry.

Which part of DOE is sponsoring this opportunity?

The opportunity was issued by DOE through the Office of Science (SC), specifically the Office of Nuclear Physics (NP).

What program area does this opportunity fall under?

It sits under the Office of Nuclear Physics Isotope Development and Production for Research and Applications (IDPRA) sub-program, which emphasizes strengthening isotope availability and production capabilities through targeted innovation rather than routine production.

Is this grant meant to fund routine isotope production?

No. The IDPRA orientation described in the announcement is toward targeted innovation (new or significantly improved methods and capabilities), not routine production work.

What kinds of projects are considered responsive?

Proposals are expected to advance novel isotope production methods or significantly improve existing methods. The DOE is looking for R&D that generates usable, decision-shaping data for isotope production or leads to new technologies, processes, or system improvements that make production more capable, efficient, reliable, or scalable.

What does DOE mean by "decision-shaping data" in this context?

Based on the announcement language, it refers to R&D outcomes that directly inform isotope production decisions and capabilities (for example, data that helps determine the feasibility, performance, reliability, efficiency, or scalability of a production approach), rather than research results that are disconnected from real production needs.

How important is the connection to real-world isotope production needs?

It is central. Competitive applications are expected to make a clear case for how project outcomes translate into better isotope production for end users, showing direct relevance to production outcomes rather than basic research performed in isolation.

What types of isotopes are in scope?

The announcement highlights both radioactive isotopes and enriched stable isotopes, with an emphasis on isotopes that are widely used across multiple application areas.

What application areas should proposed work be relevant to?

The opportunity emphasizes breadth of impact, including relevance to isotopes used for medical diagnostics and therapy, homeland security, physical sciences, biological and geological research, energy research, and industrial uses.

Does this opportunity encourage workforce development and training?

Yes. Workforce development is a notable priority. Proposals that include effective training components are strongly encouraged, particularly training that builds practical and technical expertise across the isotope pipeline.

What kinds of training activities are emphasized?

The announcement specifically calls out training that builds hands-on expertise in the full isotope pipeline, including production techniques (such as targetry or irradiation approaches), processing and chemical separations, purification and quality control, and preparation for distribution.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number) for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0001588.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 81.049.

How was this grant categorized by the government?

It was described as a discretionary grant opportunity and categorized under science and technology and other research and development.

Who was eligible to apply under this FOA?

Eligible applicants included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status).

Were for-profit companies listed as eligible applicants?

Not based on the information provided. The eligibility list included higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status).

How many awards did DOE anticipate making?

The opportunity anticipated making about five awards.

What was the maximum award size (award ceiling)?

The listed award ceiling was $10,000,000.

When was this FOA posted and when did it close?

The FOA was posted on April 26, 2016, and had a closing date of July 1, 2016.

Was there a companion opportunity for DOE National Laboratories?

Yes. DOE issued a companion announcement for DOE National Laboratories identified as LAB 16-1588.

How did the peer review and competition work between this FOA and the lab companion call?

Proposals submitted under this FOA were to be peer-reviewed and competed directly against proposals submitted via the laboratory companion call. This means university and nonprofit applicants were evaluated alongside national lab teams.

What does competing directly with national labs imply for applicants?

It indicates a highly competitive environment where proposals are expected to be technically rigorous, clearly tied to production outcomes, and strong in implementation planning and impact, since they are compared head-to-head with national laboratory submissions.

What are the key characteristics of a competitive proposal under this opportunity?

Based on the announcement summary provided, competitive proposals are expected to: (1) advance novel or significantly improved isotope production methods, (2) produce usable data or improvements that influence production capability, (3) connect directly to real production needs and end-user outcomes, (4) demonstrate broad relevance across application areas, and (5) where possible, include strong workforce development and practical training across the isotope pipeline.