U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research Announcement of Opportunity, Fiscal Years 2012 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What agency is offering this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), an independent federal agency established by Congress in 1974. The funding is released through the NRC Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES).

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The purpose is to support research that advances the NRC's regulatory mission. That includes helping ensure the safe civilian use of radioactive materials while protecting public health and safety, strengthening common defense and security, and protecting the environment. The focus is on research that provides practical technical bases, tools, and evidence that help the NRC identify and resolve safety issues, make well-supported regulatory decisions, and develop or refine regulations and guidance.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is RGR FN 0512 RES.

What program or CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

This opportunity is associated with CFDA 77.009, the NRC Office of Research Financial Assistance Program.

What kind of grant program is this?

It is a discretionary grant program in the Science and Technology / Research and Development category.

What types of projects is the NRC looking to fund?

The NRC (RES) is seeking proposals for discrete, clearly defined research projects. The work should be actionable and relevant to the NRC's regulatory framework, such as independent experiments and analyses, development of technical foundations that support realistic and defensible safety decisions, and evaluations of safety issues that affect both existing nuclear-related designs and emerging designs and technologies.

Does the opportunity support purely exploratory research?

Based on the description, the emphasis is on research that can directly inform NRC oversight and regulatory decisions, rather than work that is purely exploratory without a regulatory connection.

Who should lead the proposed project?

Projects are expected to be led by a named Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI). The PD/PI develops the technical application and is responsible for carrying out and supervising the research.

Who is the official applicant for the grant?

The formal applicant must be the institution or organization where the work will be performed, even though the PD/PI is responsible for the technical application and oversight of the work.

How are applications handled after submission?

After submission, applications are routed to the most relevant RES division based on subject-matter expertise. RES includes three technical divisions plus an administrative division, each aligned to specific responsibilities and program goals.

How can applicants align their proposal to the right RES area?

The announcement points applicants to NRC RES organizational function descriptions to help align proposed work with the appropriate division areas.

What are the minimum and maximum award amounts?

Awards under this announcement range from $25,000 (floor) to $225,000 (ceiling).

Is cost sharing or matching required?

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

When was the opportunity posted?

The posted date and the creation date are both May 30, 2012.

What is the application deadline?

The original and current application closing date listed is June 26, 2012.

When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date listed is July 26, 2012.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and minority-serving institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions. Other eligible entities include nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) IRS status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education), state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, federally recognized tribal governments, tribally designated organizations, and U.S. territory or possession agencies.

Are nonprofits eligible even if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. The eligibility list includes nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) IRS status, provided they are not institutions of higher education.

Are tribal entities eligible to apply?

Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and tribally designated organizations are included in the eligibility list. The opportunity also includes minority-serving institutions such as Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. U.S. territory or possession agencies are included in the eligibility list.

What NRC office is responsible for this opportunity?

The opportunity is released through the NRC Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES).

What is the best contact for administrative or access questions about the full announcement?

The contact listed for administrative or access issues is MLita Carr, Contracts Specialist, reachable by phone at 301-492-3464.