The Idaho Field Office of the Department of Energy (DOE) is offering a grant opportunity titled "Fiscal Year 2026 Phase II Continuation Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research" aimed at advancing nuclear energy science and technology. This funding opportunity seeks applications from small businesses and U.S. universities to conduct nuclear energy-related research that aligns with the DOE's mission priorities, including the operation of existing reactors, deployment of new reactors, and enhancement of the nuclear fuel cycle. The total estimated program funding is $3 million, with an award ceiling of $1.2 million and an expected four awards to be made. Interested applicants must submit their proposals by May 20, 2026, and can contact Jacob Lingard at 208-526-5820 or via email at lingarjn@id.doe.gov for further information.

FY26 CINR Phase II Continuation NOFO Part 1 - FINAL 12DEC2025.pdf

This document, Part 2 of the Fiscal Year 2026 Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research Phase II (CINR II) Continuation Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Number DE-FOA-0003539, outlines the Department of Energy’s (DOE) fixed requirements for financial assistance. It serves as a companion to Part 1, providing standard information for the application phase, award negotiations, and post-award requirements. Key sections include detailed registration instructions for platforms like SAM.gov and NEUP.gov, eligibility criteria such as cost sharing rules and prohibitions against Entities of Concern, and guidelines for Artificial Intelligence (AI) use in applications. The NOFO also specifies comprehensive application content and format, including requirements for Letters of Intent (LOI), full applications, technical volumes, transition plans, and resumes. It also covers reporting, intellectual property, and compliance with federal policies like Buy America requirements. Applicants must review both NOFO parts thoroughly before applying.

FY26 CINR Phase II Continuation NOFO Part 2 - FINAL 12DEC2025.pdf

This document, "Financial Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity Part 2," serves as a companion to Part 1 for the Fiscal Year 2026 Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research Phase II (CINR II) Continuation. It outlines fixed Department of Energy (DOE) requirements for the application, award negotiation, and post-award phases. Key sections include mandatory registration processes (SAM.gov, UEI, Grants.gov, NEUP.gov), detailed eligibility criteria covering cost sharing types, allowability, and calculation examples, and prohibitions related to "Entities of Concern." The document also specifies comprehensive application content and format requirements, including Letters of Intent (LOIs), a two-page project summary/abstract, and a ten-page technical volume. Additional required submissions include a transition plan, a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) plan (if applicable), resumes for key personnel, and current and pending support disclosures with a mandatory certification statement. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in applications is permitted but requires attribution, with applicants remaining responsible for accuracy. The NOFO Part 2 aims to standardize administrative and compliance information for applicants to the CINR II program.

The Office of Nuclear Energy&#8217;s (NE) mission is to advance nuclear energy science and technology to meet U.S. energy, environmental, and economic needs. NE has identified the following goals to address challenges in the nuclear energy sector, help realize the potential of advanced technology, and leverage the unique role of the government in spurring innovation: &#8226; Keep existing U.S. nuclear reactors operating; &#8226; Deploy new nuclear reactors; &#8226; Secure and sustain our nuclear fuel cycle; and &#8226; Expand international nuclear energy cooperation. NE conducts crosscutting nuclear energy research and development (R&amp;D) and associated infrastructure support activities to develop innovative technologies that offer the promise of dramatically improved performance for its mission needs as stated above, while maximizing the impact of NE resources. NE strives to promote integrated and collaborative research conducted by national laboratory, university, industry, and international partners under the direction of NE&#8217;s programs; deploy innovative nuclear energy technologies to the market; and optimize the benefits of nuclear energy. All applications submitted under this CINR Phase II Continuation NOFO must demonstrate a strong tie to at least one of these four mission priorities and highlight how they support DOE priorities. &#8226; NE is seeking CINR Phase II Continuation applications from U.S. universities to conduct nuclear energy-related research to help meet the objectives of the major NE funded research areas. &#8226; The NOFO is focused on continuing promising research pathways by soliciting applications that directly complement and extend research that has previously been awarded research through NEUP. &#8226; CINR awarded projects, including R&amp;D and IRPs, that conclude between January 1, 2026, and September 30, 2026, are eligible to apply. Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) Access Only projects are NOT eligible to apply to this funding opportunity. Instead, they should apply to the NSUF Access Only process under the separate FY 2026 CINR NOFO for additional access to NSUF capabilities.

Jacob Lingard 2085265820&lt;br/&gt;lingarjn@id.doe.gov&lt;br/&gt; Andrew Ford 208-526-3059&lt;br/&gt;fordaj@id.doe.gov

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