Advanced Nuclear Energy Licensing Cost-Share Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its Office of Nuclear Energy, has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) under the Advanced Nuclear Energy Licensing Cost-Share Grant Program. This program supports efforts to accelerate the deployment and licensing of advanced nuclear reactors and related facilities by reducing the financial burden associated with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing fees. As part of the DOE’s broader strategy to secure the nation’s clean energy future, the program seeks to promote innovation and commercialization in nuclear energy technologies, ensuring that they contribute to the resilience, security, and decarbonization of the U.S. energy grid. The grant program focuses on two main topic areas: Topic Area 1 funds pre-application review activities—those that occur before a formal license is submitted to the NRC—and Topic Area 2 supports application review activities following NRC docketing. Eligible activities include review of topical reports and white papers, NRC readiness assessments, safety and environmental reviews, and formal interactions with the NRC. These grants do not fund licensing document development or general R&D; they specifically aim to offset NRC licensing fees. This narrow focus is intended to reduce regulatory uncertainty and help applicants navigate the certification and approval process more efficiently. Eligible applicants include a broad array of U.S.-based entities such as for-profit and nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, tribal entities, and state and local governments. Foreign entities may participate only under an approved waiver and must demonstrate a clear benefit to U.S. industry and compliance with applicable security and competitiveness protocols. All work must be performed within the United States unless an explicit foreign work waiver is granted. The program requires cost-sharing: 20% for pre-application activities and 50% for application review activities, based solely on NRC fees. Applications must be submitted through the FedConnect portal. Key application components include a technical volume, budget documentation (SF-424A), resumes of key personnel, regulatory engagement plans, and other compliance-related disclosures such as foreign affiliation and lobbying activities. Each submission must be a standalone project with distinct scope and adequate internal resources to manage it. Page limits apply, and applications must adhere to specific formatting and documentation requirements. The current cycle’s application window closes on September 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Awards for the first review cycle are anticipated to be announced on July 8, 2026, with funding disbursed by September 8, 2026. The estimated period of performance varies by topic area, with Topic Area 1 projects lasting up to two years and Topic Area 2 projects up to four years. The opportunity recurs annually and requires applications to be submitted between July 1 and September 30 of the current year. Applicants may submit up to two applications per annual cycle and may hold a maximum of two active awards at a time. The DOE encourages early engagement with the NRC and expects applicants to demonstrate high-quality interactions such as prompt responses to audit requests and adherence to application review timelines. The program aligns with broader federal goals for energy innovation and national security by supporting the revitalization of the U.S. nuclear sector through strategic licensing investments.

Ensure NRC licensing documents are detailed enough to receive feedback; respond to audits and information requests promptly; early NRC engagement is expected.