U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Funding Opportunity Announcement, Minority Serving Institutions Program. | Apply Online

FAQs: NRC Minority Serving Institutions Program (MSIP) Grant

What is the NRC Minority Serving Institutions Program (MSIP)?

The NRC Minority Serving Institutions Program (MSIP) is a discretionary grant opportunity administered through the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Office of Small Business and Civil Rights (SBCR). It is designed to help Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) strengthen educational and workforce pathways that align with the NRC mission areas, including nuclear safety, nuclear security, and environmental protection.

What is the NRC, and why does it offer this type of funding?

The NRC was established by Congress in 1974 to oversee the civilian use of nuclear materials in the United States. Its core mission is protecting public health and safety, strengthening national security, and safeguarding the environment. This funding supports education and workforce development activities that build capacity and readiness in disciplines the NRC considers essential to that mission.

What is the main purpose of the MSIP funding opportunity?

The program is intended to expand participation in nuclear-related fields by increasing the number of students and faculty from groups that have been historically underrepresented in the nuclear industry and related scientific and technical careers. The NRC is seeking proposals that strengthen institutional capacity and create coherent, integrated pathways rather than one-off or isolated events.

Who is eligible to apply for this grant?

Eligibility is limited to qualifying Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), specifically:

• Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs)
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
• Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)

What types of projects or proposals is the NRC looking for?

The announcement emphasizes institutionally focused proposals that are well integrated and developmental. In practice, that means the activities in the proposal should work together as part of a coherent plan to strengthen capacity, skills, and career readiness, rather than being a collection of disconnected events.

What disciplines or themes should projects align with?

Projects should align with areas tied to the NRC mission, including nuclear safety, nuclear security, environmental protection, and other disciplines the NRC considers essential to its mission.

What programmatic activities are allowed under this opportunity?

The listing describes a broad range of allowable activities, including:

• Conferences and symposiums
• Leadership development activities
• Career seminars
• Mentoring
• Collaborative learning experiences
• Hands-on research exposure (on campus or at external laboratories)
• Academic enrichment such as specialty courses that emphasize critical thinking, research methods, scientific reading comprehension, and writing skills
• Tutoring and structured support designed to drive student excellence
• Recruitment activities
• Travel to professional meetings (including networking and presentation exposure)
• Evaluation activities to measure outcomes and demonstrate effectiveness

Does the grant support research experiences for students and faculty?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly supports hands-on research exposure, including research experiences conducted on campus or at external laboratories.

Can funding be used for conferences, seminars, mentoring, or professional development?

Yes. The announcement lists conferences and symposiums, leadership development, career seminars, mentoring, and collaborative learning experiences as eligible activities.

Are recruitment and travel costs allowable?

Yes. Recruitment activities and travel to professional meetings are identified as eligible elements, recognizing the importance of networking, professional exposure, and presentation experience for retention and advancement in technical fields.

Is evaluation an allowable or expected part of the project?

Evaluation activities are explicitly allowed. This signals that applicants are expected to measure outcomes and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

What types of student support can be funded?

The program allows student-centered support mechanisms, including internships, fellowships, scholarships, stipends, travel, tuition, and housing, as long as these costs are tied to carrying out the proposed activities and achieving the intended workforce and educational development outcomes.

Can funds be used for facilities improvements or equipment?

Yes. The NRC will accept applications that include MSI facilities improvements, alterations, and equipment acquisition when tied to the proposed program and necessary to implement the activities.

What is the award ceiling (maximum) for this opportunity?

The award ceiling is listed as $400,000.

What is the award floor (minimum) for this opportunity?

The award floor is listed as $5,400.

Is cost sharing or a match required?

No. The listing states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is SBCR FN 0511 MSIP02.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The CFDA number is 77.007 (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Minority Serving Institutions Program).

When was this opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on June 22, 2011.

What was the application deadline?

The application deadline was August 8, 2011.

Is this funding opportunity currently open?

No. The listing indicates the opportunity was archived on August 12, 2011.

Who can be contacted for questions or access issues related to the full announcement?

The listed contact is Michael Mills, Grants Specialist. Phone: 301-492-3621. Email: Michael.Mills@nrc.gov.

Which NRC office administers this grant?

This discretionary grant opportunity is administered through the NRC Office of Small Business and Civil Rights (SBCR).

What kinds of costs does the NRC generally intend to cover with this funding?

In general, the funding is intended to cover costs essential to carrying out the proposed activities and achieving workforce and educational development outcomes, including capacity-building needs such as equipment, alterations, facilities-related improvements, and direct student support items like stipends, travel, tuition, and housing (as described in the announcement).