GrantExec

Unleashing American Energy Dominance and Expediting Responsible and Secure U.S. Small Modular Reactor Deployment through the FIRST Program

This grant provides funding to U.S. and international organizations for projects that promote the safe and responsible deployment of small modular nuclear reactors in various regions around the world.

$4,000,000
Active
Nationwide
Grant Description

The U.S. Department of State’s International Security and Nonproliferation Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN/CTR) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for its Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Program. The opportunity, titled “Unleashing American Energy Dominance and Expediting Responsible and Secure U.S. Small Modular Reactor Deployment through the FIRST Program,” is designed to support the responsible global deployment of U.S. small modular reactors (SMRs) and related nuclear technologies. The program aligns with U.S. foreign policy objectives and President Trump’s Executive Order promoting American energy leadership, and it is grounded in the highest standards of nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation. FIRST offers technical cooperation, training, and capacity-building to partner countries developing or expanding civilian nuclear energy programs. Funding supports a variety of activities including SMR feasibility studies, study tours, simulators, workshops, stakeholder engagement, workforce development, and financial advisory services. Proposals must be aligned with FIRST’s goals of advancing energy sovereignty, safety, and secure technology deployment through bilateral and regional partnerships. ISN/CTR targets strategic regions including Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America, and works with governments, utilities, regulatory bodies, universities, and technical stakeholders in these countries. The FY25 program expects to fund 10 awards, with award sizes ranging from approximately $50,000 to $4,000,000. The total funding pool is approximately $19.5 million, pending congressional notification. The performance period for projects is up to 24 months, with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2026. Funding will be provided through grants, cooperative agreements, or Inter-Agency Agreements. While cost sharing is not required, applicants may propose voluntary cost-share contributions. Matching funds, however, do not influence selection decisions. Eligibility is broad and includes U.S. for-profit and nonprofit organizations, public and private U.S. institutions of higher education, foreign nonprofits and academic institutions, Public International Organizations, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, and Foreign Public Entities. All applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active registration in SAM.gov. Only one application may be submitted per organization, although multiple projects with distinct scopes and budgets may be included within that single application. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by July 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT. Required documents include standard federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A), a summary page, key personnel list, monitoring and evaluation materials, consolidated project list, project narratives, and detailed budget documentation. Supporting attachments such as CVs and NICRA (if applicable) are also required. Applications will be evaluated based on project quality, organizational capacity, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, monitoring and evaluation rigor, and long-term sustainability. Applicants may send questions to ISN-CTR-BUDGET@state.gov and FIRST@state.gov. Responses will be compiled and posted weekly on Grants.gov through July 25, 2025. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by October 15, 2025. Awards will be administered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Payment Management System or G-Invoice for Inter-Agency Agreements. Comprehensive reporting requirements, including quarterly financial and performance updates, will apply.

Funding Details

Award Range

$50,000 - $4,000,000

Total Program Funding

$19,500,000

Number of Awards

10

Matching Requirement

No

Additional Details

Approximately $19.5 million available pending notification. Awards range from $50,000 to $4,000,000. Cooperative agreements include substantial involvement. Project duration up to 15 months.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

For profit organizations other than small businesses
Nonprofits
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
City or township governments

Additional Requirements

Eligible applicants include U.S. for-profits, nonprofits, academic institutions, foreign nonprofits and academic institutions, FFRDCs, PIOs, and FPEs. All must have UEI and active SAM.gov registration. One application per organization.

Geographic Eligibility

All

Key Dates

Application Opens

May 30, 2025

Application Closes

July 30, 2025

Contact Information

Grantor

US Department of State (Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation)

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Categories
International Development

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