Fiscal Year 2026 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its Idaho Operations Office, has announced the FY26 cycle of the Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research (CINR) grant opportunity. This grant, numbered DE-FOA-0003541, aims to enhance the nuclear energy infrastructure at U.S. academic institutions by supporting upgrades to university research reactors and procuring critical scientific equipment and instrumentation. The program forms part of the DOE’s broader Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) mission to advance nuclear science and technology through sustained investments in research, workforce development, and institutional capacity building. The CINR program is administered under the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP), which has operated since 2009 to integrate university research into DOE’s technical objectives and foster the next generation of nuclear engineers and scientists. The FY26 CINR Infrastructure Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) includes two distinct funding tracks: Topic Area 1 for University Research Reactor Upgrades (RU) and Topic Area 2 for General Scientific Infrastructure (GSI). Under Topic Area 1, only 24 pre-designated U.S. universities with operating research reactors are eligible to apply. These institutions may request funding for equipment and instrumentation that directly supports the safety, reliability, or operational capacity of their reactors. Upgrades may include systems required by local or federal regulators, as well as reactor control consoles, safety components, and performance-enhancing tools. Under Topic Area 2, all U.S.-based institutions of higher education are eligible to apply for funding to support nuclear-related research and educational capabilities, including laboratory instrumentation, software, and shared-use infrastructure that align with NE mission areas such as radiation detection, fuel cycle research, and advanced reactor systems. The total anticipated funding for the FY26 CINR opportunity is approximately $5 million, evenly split between the two topic areas. Individual awards for Topic Area 1 may reach up to $1.5 million, with three to five awards expected. For Topic Area 2, standard awards are set at $250,000, though applicants requesting amounts above that threshold must commit to a 1:1 non-federal cost match on the portion exceeding $250,000. Cost sharing is not mandatory for awards below this threshold but is encouraged. All projects are expected to have a 12-month period of performance, although longer periods may be approved with justification. Indirect costs and expenditures for routine operations or commercial upgrades are not eligible, and foreign travel is prohibited. Applications must focus on discrete, non-duplicative equipment purchases that support instruction or research directly tied to DOE-NE goals. Applicants must complete a single comprehensive application, including a technical volume, resumes for key personnel, current and pending support disclosures, budget forms (SF-424 and SF-424A), and cost share documentation if applicable. Each application must correspond to a single concept. Pre-application steps such as letters of intent or concept papers are not required. All submissions must be made through NEUP.gov by April 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Applications received after this deadline will not be reviewed. Applications must comply with formatting rules outlined in NOFO Part 2, including file size limits, naming conventions, and standardized templates for the abstract, budget justification, and summary slides. Review of eligible applications will follow a merit-based technical evaluation, prioritizing impact, alignment with DOE-NE missions, and the institution's demonstrated need and readiness. Special attention will be given to proposals that address reactor safety and security, promote infrastructure sharing among institutions, and support NE’s experimental capabilities through alignment with the Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF). Applicants must not duplicate existing capabilities and are strongly encouraged to consult the Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Database (NEID) when preparing proposals. Award notifications are expected by September 30, 2026, with project funding beginning as early as February 1, 2027. Selected applicants may enter into award negotiations and must be prepared to address post-selection requests such as environmental and risk assessments. Inquiries about the NOFO should be directed to the Innovative Nuclear Research Integration Office at [email protected]. All applicants must be registered in SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and NEUP.gov prior to submission. This funding opportunity is part of DOE’s continuing effort to develop the infrastructure, technology, and skilled workforce necessary to maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear energy.

Highlight reactor safety, non-duplicative infrastructure, and NE mission alignment; use NEID to justify equipment need.