University, National Laboratory, Industry, and International Entities Input to the Office of Nuclear Energys Competitive Research and Development Work Scope Development - DOE is seeking ideas in the areas of research, information, comments, feedback, and recommendations from interested parties for future work scopes for the major NE-funded research programs. All responses are to be made at NEUP.gov per the attached instructions.
The focus of this RFI is to obtain input to and identify potential new research areas for future FOAs in areas that support NE’s mission.
DOE is seeking ideas, input, comments, feedback, and recommendations from interested parties for future competitive university-led research projects.
This input may lead to a more robust R&D program that reflects communities’ ideas and could identify new creative, innovative, and transformative outcomes.
DOE also seeks input regarding the structure of the solicitation itself, including any examples of other solicitations that have been successfully used for competitive university research.
As a result of last year’s RFI input, the Office of Nuclear Energy has incorporated several changes to the current CINR solicitations as follows:
• Increased the award size up to $1,000,000 for NEUP R&D projects.
Broadened R&D topical areas to allow for innovative ideas that are of high interest to the NE mission.
• Revised the application review process to increase focus on technical merit.
• Created blue-sky areas, including large, open-ended Integrated Research Project scopes.
• Modified R&D award mechanism from cooperative agreements to grants, allowing for additional flexibility in reporting requirements.
• Adjusted eligibility requirements to allow for more participation by applicants as IRP and R&D Principal Investigators (PIs).
• Increased engagement with Minority Serving Institutions. Additionally, NE is considering implementation for the following items:
• A ‘Phase II’ project competition based on successful current CINR awards.
• A research experience for undergraduate students to be incorporated into future CINR
awards.
• A reactor sharing program to promote university research reactors, increase use and engagement, and provide outreach to K-12 audiences.
Please note that the following topics are not of interest to NE: medical physics, nuclear fusion, nuclear forensics, and environmental management.