Funder: Idaho Field Office (DOE-ID)
Due Dates: March 31, annually (review deadline) | August 13, 2030 (final deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $3,000,000 per award; typical student awards: $10,000/year (undergrad), $5,000/year (community college), $175,000 total (graduate fellowship, 3 years)
Summary: Supports U.S. colleges and universities in administering scholarships and fellowships for students in nuclear science and engineering fields.
Key Information: Only accredited U.S. institutions of higher education with nuclear-related programs are eligible; cost sharing is not required.
Description
This opportunity provides funding to accredited U.S. two- and four-year colleges and universities to administer scholarships and fellowships for students pursuing degrees in nuclear science and engineering (NS&E) and related fields. The program, managed by the Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) through the Idaho Field Office, aims to attract and support the next generation of nuclear professionals by providing financial support to students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
The program is part of the University Nuclear Leadership Program (UNLP), which seeks to:
- Attract top students to nuclear energy professions.
- Support the nation's intellectual capital in nuclear-related science and engineering.
- Enhance the research and development capabilities of U.S. institutions.
- Facilitate knowledge transfer to the next generation of nuclear workers.
Scholarships and fellowships are awarded to students through a separate DOE-NE process, but institutions must apply to be eligible to administer these funds.
Due Dates
- Annual Review Deadline: Applications received by March 31 each year will be reviewed for that cycle.
- Final Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until August 13, 2030.
Funding Amount
- Award Ceiling: Up to $3,000,000 per institution.
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $50,000,000.
- Expected Number of Awards: Approximately 80.
- Student Support Amounts:
- Undergraduate Scholarships (4-year institutions): Up to $10,000 per student, per year.
- Community College/Trade School Scholarships (2-year institutions): Up to $5,000 per student, per year.
- Graduate Fellowships: Up to $175,000 per student for three years (includes $40,000/year stipend, $15,000/year tuition/books/fees, $1,000/year research travel, and a $7,000 internship allowance).
No cost sharing or matching is required. All funds must directly benefit students; no indirect costs or administrative fees are allowed.
Eligibility
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Eligible Applicants:
- Accredited U.S. public, private, and state-controlled institutions of higher education (IHEs) with two-year, four-year, or graduate programs in nuclear science, engineering, or closely related fields.
- Institutions must offer programs in disciplines such as nuclear engineering, mechanical/electrical engineering, chemistry, health physics, nuclear materials science, radiochemistry, applied nuclear physics, nuclear policy, radiation protection technology, nuclear power technology, nuclear maintenance technology, computer science, cybersecurity, nuclear safety, nuclear operations, and related areas.
- Cooperative programs between multiple IHEs are encouraged.
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Ineligible Applicants:
- Non-accredited institutions.
- Institutions without relevant nuclear-related programs.
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Note: Students do not apply directly to this FOA; they apply for scholarships/fellowships through a separate DOE-NE process.
Application Process
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Submission Portal: Applications must be submitted electronically via NEUP.gov.
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Required Documents:
- SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance.
- Program narrative describing nuclear-related academic programs, faculty, facilities, and student metrics.
- Certifications and Assurances form.
- Principal Investigator (PI) Curriculum Vitae (max 3 pages).
- SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable).
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No pre-application or letter of intent is required.
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Review Criteria:
- Potential to conduct nuclear science and engineering education.
- Alignment with DOE-NE mission.
- Scope and depth of academic offerings.
- Program history and future plans.
- Quality of faculty and staff.
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Reporting: Awardees must submit interim, annual, and final reports as specified in the award agreement.
Additional Information
- Allowable Costs: All funds must be used for student tuition, fees, stipends, books, room and board, and approved travel/internship expenses.
- No indirect costs or administrative fees may be charged.
- Internship Requirement: Graduate fellows must complete a 10-week internship at a DOE national laboratory or approved facility.
- Optional UK Exchange: Additional funds are available for a UK exchange opportunity for graduate fellows (starting FY 2023).
- Duration: Institutional awards may last up to 13 years, but no new scholarships/fellowships will be awarded after year 10.
External Links
Contact Information
For additional information or questions, refer to the DOE Idaho Field Office contact page.