Fiscal Year 2026 University Nuclear Research Infrastructure Revitalization

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its Idaho Operations Office, has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the University Nuclear Research Infrastructure Revitalization initiative. This funding opportunity is part of the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP), which seeks to strengthen U.S. leadership in nuclear energy through education, research, and infrastructure support. DOE anticipates awarding one grant under this NOFO to a university-led consortium to enhance or establish nuclear research infrastructure at U.S. institutions of higher education. The program aligns with the DOE's mission to support advanced reactor technologies, bolster nuclear cyber-physical systems, and contribute to the development and safety assessments of small modular reactors. The funding opportunity aims to revitalize academic nuclear energy capabilities through infrastructure enhancements that foster regional or national impact. Awards made through this program will not support the planning or construction of new university nuclear reactors. Instead, the program emphasizes rapid, cost-effective strategies to bolster advanced reactor-relevant research, education, and workforce development, with a strong focus on collaboration. Projects should demonstrate how they will add substantial value to U.S. capacity for nuclear R&D and support advanced technologies being deployed in the nuclear sector. Approximately $6 million in FY 2026 funding is available, and DOE expects to make one award for a project lasting up to four years. Cost sharing is encouraged but not required. At least 50% of the proposed budget must be allocated toward infrastructure and equipment, while the remainder may support research personnel and activities. Collaborations with national laboratories, industry, and other stakeholders are encouraged, though non-university participants must not receive more than 20% of the federal funds. All work must be performed within the United States, and foreign entities are not eligible to apply. Eligible applicants are limited to U.S. colleges and universities, which must lead the proposed consortium. Subrecipients may include U.S.-based for-profit and non-profit entities, state and local governments, and federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs). Foreign institutions and entities are explicitly ineligible. DOE allows only one submission per prime applicant and will evaluate only the last submission received if multiple are submitted. Applications that do not meet the technical or eligibility criteria or that fail to present a coordinated, consortium-style infrastructure plan will be deemed nonresponsive. Applications must be submitted via NEUP.gov no later than May 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The process requires a single full application with no letter of intent or concept paper. A complete application package includes a technical volume, detailed budget, budget justification, infrastructure capability narrative, and additional documents outlined in the NOFO Part 2. Application materials must follow strict formatting, file naming, and submission instructions to be considered. DOE will evaluate applications based on responsiveness to program goals, technical merit, and compliance with submission requirements. Awards are anticipated to be announced by September 30, 2026, with funding disbursed by February 1, 2027. The expected project period is 48 months. Interested applicants must ensure active registration with SAM.gov and NEUP.gov prior to submission. For inquiries, applicants may contact the NEUP helpdesk at [email protected].

Ensure minimum 50% equipment spend; DOE may award partial proposals; clearly link equipment to nuclear R&D goals.