Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003539
The Fiscal Year 2026 Phase II Continuation Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research (CINR) funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0003539) is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) grant program aimed at carrying forward nuclear energy research that has already shown promise under prior DOE-NE university-led awards. The core idea is continuity: this solicitation is not meant to start brand-new, unrelated projects, but instead to extend and strengthen earlier Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) research pathways that are ready for a next step. In practice, applicants are expected to propose follow-on work that directly complements prior NEUP-funded efforts and helps move that work toward clearer outcomes, stronger validation, and greater usefulness to DOE-NE program goals.
The opportunity is tightly framed around DOE-NE's mission to advance nuclear energy science and technology in ways that support U.S. energy reliability, environmental goals, and economic competitiveness. Applications must show a clear and credible alignment with at least one of four stated mission priorities: keeping the existing U.S. reactor fleet operating (including technologies that support reliability, safety, life extension, performance, and cost effectiveness); deploying new nuclear reactors (supporting advanced reactor concepts, licensing-relevant technical bases, validation tools, and enabling technologies); securing and sustaining the nuclear fuel cycle (including fuels, materials, supply chain resilience, and related safeguards or sustainability needs); and expanding international nuclear energy cooperation (work that helps enable collaboration, harmonization, or globally relevant technical progress where appropriate). DOE emphasizes integrated and collaborative research, meaning proposals are generally expected to fit within the broader ecosystem of universities, national laboratories, industry partners, and sometimes international collaborators, with a focus on innovation that can be translated into real-world nuclear energy benefits.
This is a Phase II continuation solicitation specifically for projects that are already part of CINR-supported research portfolios and are ending within a defined window. Eligible prior projects include CINR awards spanning research and development (R and D) and Integrated Research Projects (IRPs) that conclude between January 1, 2026, and September 30, 2026. The intent is to avoid losing momentum on work that is midstream but productive, and to allow the most promising efforts to reach more mature technical results. One important boundary is that Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) Access Only projects are not eligible for this continuation funding. If a team only needs additional NSUF access, they are directed to pursue that through the separate FY 2026 CINR NOFO process specifically set up for NSUF Access Only requests.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant program in the energy category (CFDA 81.121), managed through DOE's Idaho Field Office. The application deadline listed is May 20, 2026. The award ceiling is $1,200,000 per award, and DOE expects to make about four awards under this specific opportunity. While the narrative description highlights an emphasis on U.S. universities as applicants for the Phase II continuation concept, the eligible applicant types listed in the source data include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. In practical terms, teams should pay close attention to the specific NOFO language and eligibility rules for lead applicants and partners, since continuation opportunities sometimes require that the follow-on effort be tied to the original award structure, scope, and outcomes.
Overall, the program is best understood as a targeted continuation mechanism: DOE-NE is looking to invest in research lines that have already been vetted and funded, have produced encouraging results, and now need a focused second phase to deepen the technical work, resolve remaining uncertainties, expand validation, or better position the results for deployment, commercialization, broader adoption by the nuclear sector, or integration into DOE-NE program needs. The strongest applications will make an explicit case for why the earlier NEUP-funded work is worth extending, what specific next technical milestones will be achieved with Phase II support, and how those milestones connect directly to one or more of DOE-NE's four mission priorities and to DOE priorities more broadly.Apply for DE FOA 0003539
- The Idaho Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fiscal Year 2026 Phase II Continuation Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.121.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-12-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-20. (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 $1,200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the FY 2026 Phase II Continuation Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research (CINR) funding opportunity?
The Fiscal Year 2026 Phase II Continuation Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research (CINR) opportunity (DE-FOA-0003539) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) grant program designed to continue and strengthen nuclear energy research that has already been funded under prior DOE-NE university-led awards, particularly within the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) pipeline.
What is the main purpose of this solicitation?
The main purpose is continuity. This solicitation is intended to fund follow-on, Phase II work that directly builds on earlier NEUP-funded research that has shown promise and is ready for a next step. It is meant to prevent loss of momentum on productive projects and help them reach more mature, validated outcomes aligned with DOE-NE program goals.
Is this funding meant for brand-new nuclear research projects?
No. The solicitation is not meant to start brand-new, unrelated projects. Applicants are expected to propose work that directly complements and extends prior NEUP-funded efforts rather than launching an unrelated research direction.
Which DOE office is sponsoring and managing this grant?
The program is sponsored by DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) and is managed through DOE’s Idaho Field Office.
What is the FOA number for this opportunity?
The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) number is DE-FOA-0003539.
What is the CFDA/assistance listing number and category?
This opportunity is listed under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 81.121 and is categorized in the energy area as a discretionary grant program.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline listed for this opportunity is May 20, 2026.
How much funding is available per award?
The award ceiling is $1,200,000 per award.
How many awards does DOE expect to make?
DOE expects to make about four awards under this specific Phase II continuation opportunity.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligible applicant types listed include:
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
At the same time, the narrative emphasizes U.S. universities as the core applicants for the Phase II continuation concept. Applicants should rely on the specific NOFO language for lead applicant and partner eligibility requirements.
What projects are eligible for Phase II continuation funding under this FOA?
This Phase II continuation is specifically for projects already within CINR-supported research portfolios and that are ending within the stated window. Eligible prior projects include CINR awards spanning research and development (R and D) and Integrated Research Projects (IRPs) that conclude between January 1, 2026, and September 30, 2026.
What is the eligible project end-date window for the prior award?
The prior CINR award must be concluding between January 1, 2026, and September 30, 2026, to be eligible for this Phase II continuation mechanism (based on the information provided).
Are NSUF Access Only projects eligible for this Phase II continuation solicitation?
No. Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) Access Only projects are not eligible for this continuation funding.
Where should teams apply if they only need additional NSUF access?
If a team only needs additional NSUF access, they are directed to pursue that need through the separate FY 2026 CINR NOFO process specifically set up for NSUF Access Only requests.
What kinds of research activities does DOE-NE want to support through this Phase II continuation?
DOE-NE is looking for follow-on work that deepens technical results, resolves key uncertainties, expands validation, strengthens the evidence base for the approach, and increases the usefulness of the research to DOE-NE mission outcomes. The emphasis is on moving promising work toward clearer outcomes and real-world nuclear energy benefits.
What mission priorities must an application align with?
Applications must show clear and credible alignment with at least one of DOE-NE’s four stated mission priorities:
- Keeping the existing U.S. reactor fleet operating (reliability, safety, life extension, performance, and cost effectiveness)
- Deploying new nuclear reactors (advanced reactor concepts, licensing-relevant technical bases, validation tools, and enabling technologies)
- Securing and sustaining the nuclear fuel cycle (fuels, materials, supply chain resilience, safeguards, and sustainability needs)
- Expanding international nuclear energy cooperation (enabling collaboration, harmonization, or globally relevant technical progress where appropriate)
Does an applicant need to align with all four DOE-NE mission priorities?
No. Based on the information provided, an application must align with at least one of the four mission priorities, not necessarily all of them.
How should applicants demonstrate that their work is a true continuation?
Applicants are expected to propose follow-on work that directly complements prior NEUP-funded efforts. A strong continuation case includes a clear link to the earlier award’s pathway and results, explains why the prior work is worth extending, and lays out what Phase II will accomplish that the earlier phase could not fully complete.
What does DOE-NE mean by integrated and collaborative research in this context?
DOE emphasizes integrated and collaborative research that fits into a broader ecosystem. Proposals are generally expected to connect appropriately with universities, national laboratories, industry partners, and sometimes international collaborators, with an emphasis on innovation that can translate into real-world nuclear energy benefits.
Is international collaboration allowed or relevant?
International collaboration may be relevant where appropriate, particularly under the mission priority focused on expanding international nuclear energy cooperation, including collaboration, harmonization, or globally relevant technical progress.
What makes an application competitive under this Phase II continuation model?
Based on the description provided, stronger applications are expected to:
- Make an explicit case that earlier NEUP-funded work has produced encouraging results worth extending
- Define specific Phase II technical milestones and outcomes
- Explain how Phase II support will deepen results, expand validation, or resolve remaining uncertainties
- Connect milestones directly to one or more DOE-NE mission priorities and broader DOE priorities
- Show how results could support deployment, commercialization, broader adoption, or integration into DOE-NE program needs
Does this opportunity support commercialization or deployment-oriented outcomes?
The program description indicates DOE-NE is interested in research that can be translated into real-world nuclear energy benefits. Phase II continuation work may aim to better position results for deployment, commercialization, broader adoption by the nuclear sector, or integration into DOE-NE program needs.
Does the solicitation specify what type of prior award the continuation must be tied to?
Yes. Eligible prior projects include CINR awards spanning R and D and Integrated Research Projects (IRPs), and the continuation work is expected to be directly connected to the prior NEUP-funded effort.
Can a for-profit organization or small business apply as the lead applicant?
The source data lists for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses as eligible applicant types. However, because the narrative emphasizes universities as applicants for the Phase II continuation concept, applicants should confirm lead-applicant rules and any continuation-specific constraints in the NOFO language.
What is the overall strategic intent behind offering Phase II continuation funding?
The strategic intent is to focus DOE-NE resources on research lines that have already been vetted and funded, have demonstrated promise, and need a focused second phase to increase maturity, strengthen validation, and improve their relevance and usefulness to DOE-NE mission outcomes.
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| Fiscal Year 2026 Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research Apply for DE FOA 0003538 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003538 Agency: Idaho Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,100,000 |
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