Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002781
The DNN R&D University Program: Consortium for Nuclear Forensics (DE-FOA-0002781) is a U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) funding opportunity run through the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development (DNN R&D). Its main purpose is to strengthen U.S. capabilities to detect, identify, and characterize nuclear-related threats by building a sustained pipeline of university-driven research and trained experts who can contribute directly to nuclear forensics and broader nonproliferation missions. The program is built around the idea that universities are especially well-suited to tackle foundational, high-risk or early-stage scientific challenges, while DOE and NNSA national laboratories and associated sites can take those concepts further through mission-focused development and eventual transition into operational systems or commercialization. A central theme of the opportunity is creating an effective, transparent working relationship between universities and the national laboratory complex so that promising research and talent can move smoothly into real-world national security applications.
The FOA is designed to fund a single, coordinated consortium rather than many independent projects. DOE/NNSA intends to make one five-year cooperative agreement award to a consortium composed of accredited institutions of higher education (IHEs). This consortium serves as the administrative and programmatic hub for distributing and managing federal support for student and faculty research projects, as well as fellowships and scholarships aligned with nuclear forensics disciplines. Unlike a traditional grant where the recipient largely operates independently, a cooperative agreement implies substantial federal involvement during execution, reflecting the mission-critical nature of the work, the need for coordination across institutions, and the importance of aligning research and workforce development with government and national lab needs.
A defining requirement is that DOE National Laboratories must participate as consortium members alongside the universities. The FOA emphasizes that individual member universities should have clearly defined roles, make specific contributions, and receive specified portions of the overall budget rather than functioning as informal affiliates. The consortium is also expected to include, support, and develop students and research fellows, with a long-term objective of building deep, durable expertise in scientific fields directly tied to nuclear forensics. In practical terms, this means the program is not just paying for research outputs, but also intentionally building human capital through structured funding mechanisms, mentorship, and real access to specialized facilities and expertise.
The opportunity is also explicit about education and training outcomes. Research results are expected to feed back into university curricula so that the knowledge gained becomes part of sustained academic programs rather than isolated lab efforts. At the same time, the FOA highlights the need for students, faculty, and researchers to be able to work across academic and government environments with minimal friction, including the ability to move between organizations and facilities. That cross-boundary collaboration is balanced by the expectation that sensitive information and materials will be appropriately protected, reflecting the security and compliance realities of nuclear-related work. The consortium is expected to establish reciprocal arrangements among universities (especially between the lead institution and other member IHEs) and to build working relationships with relevant DOE/NNSA laboratories to support joint research, training, and access to specialized capabilities.
In terms of funding and scale, DOE/NNSA indicates an expected budget of about $5 million per year, contingent on appropriations. The total anticipated ceiling for the five-year period is $25 million, again dependent on continued availability of funds across the full performance period. The agency states it anticipates making one award, but it reserves the right to make more or fewer awards than planned. The period of performance is expected to run no longer than five years, with an anticipated award start date of July 1, 2023, and notification of selection expected by January 2023, based on the schedule provided in the announcement.
Eligibility is limited to public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education, reflecting the consortium model centered on accredited universities. The program sits in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category and is associated with CFDA number 81.113. The FOA was created August 4, 2022, with an original application deadline of September 20, 2022, positioning it as a time-bound competitive call to establish a flagship university consortium focused on nuclear forensics research and workforce development tightly integrated with the DOE/NNSA national laboratory enterprise.Apply for DE FOA 0002781
- The Department of Energy, NNSA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DNN R&D UNIVERSITY PROGRAM: CONSORTIUM FOR NUCLEAR FORENSICS" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.113.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 04, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 20, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $25,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the DNN R&D University Program: Consortium for Nuclear Forensics (DE-FOA-0002781)?
It is a U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) funding opportunity run through the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development (DNN R&D). The program is intended to strengthen U.S. capabilities to detect, identify, and characterize nuclear-related threats by funding a coordinated university-led consortium focused on nuclear forensics research and workforce development.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is twofold: (1) support university-driven research that addresses foundational, high-risk, or early-stage scientific challenges relevant to nuclear forensics and broader nonproliferation missions, and (2) build a sustained pipeline of trained experts (students, fellows, and faculty) who can contribute directly to DOE/NNSA mission needs.
Why does the FOA emphasize universities and national laboratories working together?
The FOA is built around the idea that universities are well-positioned to pursue early-stage and high-risk research, while DOE/NNSA national laboratories and associated sites can advance promising concepts through mission-focused development and transition them into operational systems or commercialization pathways. The opportunity stresses an effective and transparent relationship so research and talent can move into real-world national security applications.
Is DOE/NNSA planning to fund multiple separate projects or one coordinated effort?
The FOA is designed to fund a single, coordinated consortium rather than many independent projects. DOE/NNSA indicates it intends to make one award to a consortium that serves as the central hub for research and workforce development activities.
What type of award is expected under this FOA?
DOE/NNSA intends to make a five-year cooperative agreement award. A cooperative agreement differs from a traditional grant because it implies substantial federal involvement during execution, reflecting the mission-critical nature of the work and the need for coordinated alignment with government and national laboratory needs.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education (IHEs). The consortium model centers on accredited universities serving as the administrative and programmatic hub.
Are DOE National Laboratories required to be part of the consortium?
Yes. A defining requirement is that DOE National Laboratories must participate as consortium members alongside the universities.
What does the FOA expect from member universities within the consortium?
The FOA emphasizes that individual member universities should have clearly defined roles, make specific contributions, and receive specified portions of the overall budget. The model is not intended to rely on informal affiliates; it is structured around committed members with explicit responsibilities and budget allocations.
What is the consortium expected to do besides research?
In addition to research, the consortium is expected to include, support, and develop students and research fellows. The long-term objective is to build deep, durable expertise in scientific fields directly tied to nuclear forensics through structured funding mechanisms, mentorship, and access to specialized facilities and expertise.
How does education and training factor into the program?
The FOA is explicit about education and training outcomes. Research results are expected to feed back into university curricula so that the knowledge becomes part of sustained academic programs rather than remaining isolated in individual research efforts.
Does the FOA address cross-institution collaboration and mobility?
Yes. The FOA highlights the need for students, faculty, and researchers to be able to work across academic and government environments with minimal friction, including the ability to move between organizations and facilities as collaboration requires.
How does the FOA handle the reality of sensitive nuclear-related work?
While encouraging cross-boundary collaboration, the FOA also notes that sensitive information and materials must be appropriately protected, reflecting the security and compliance realities associated with nuclear-related research and activities.
Are there expectations for formal arrangements among the participating universities?
Yes. The consortium is expected to establish reciprocal arrangements among universities, especially between the lead institution and other member IHEs, to support joint research and training activities.
What relationships are expected with DOE/NNSA laboratories?
The consortium is expected to build working relationships with relevant DOE/NNSA laboratories to support joint research, training, and access to specialized capabilities.
What is the anticipated funding level?
DOE/NNSA indicates an expected budget of about $5 million per year, contingent on appropriations. Over a five-year period, the total anticipated ceiling is $25 million, dependent on continued availability of funds across the performance period.
How many awards does DOE/NNSA plan to make?
The agency states it anticipates making one award, while also reserving the right to make more or fewer awards than planned.
How long is the period of performance?
The period of performance is expected to run no longer than five years.
What were the key dates mentioned in the announcement?
The FOA was created on August 4, 2022, with an original application deadline of September 20, 2022. The schedule in the announcement also indicates notification of selection expected by January 2023 and an anticipated award start date of July 1, 2023.
What category does this opportunity fall under?
The program is in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category.
What CFDA number is associated with this FOA?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 81.113.
What is the overall program strategy described in the FOA?
The strategy is to create a flagship, university-centered consortium that coordinates research and workforce development, integrates DOE/NNSA national laboratory participation, and ensures that promising research and trained talent can transition effectively into mission-focused development and practical national security applications.
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