Fiscal Year 2025 University Reactor Sharing and Outreach

The Fiscal Year 2025 University Reactor Sharing and Outreach (RS&O) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), identified as DE-FOA-0003313, aims to support universities and colleges with nuclear research reactors. The goal is to facilitate collaboration and outreach by sharing nuclear research reactor capabilities with educational institutions and communities to promote nuclear science, engineering, and technology awareness. This opportunity encourages universities with reactors, referred to as "Host Institutions," to engage in reactor-sharing initiatives with "User Institutions," including those that lack reactor facilities. These activities should enhance nuclear science education and outreach through curriculum enrichment, faculty and student collaboration, and community engagement. Special emphasis is placed on including underrepresented groups in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields to inspire future careers in nuclear energy. The funding allocation for this FOA is approximately $1 million, with individual awards capped at $200,000. No cost sharing is required, although it is encouraged. The Department of Energy (DOE) anticipates making about five awards, depending on the availability of funds and the quality of submissions. The period of performance is expected to be up to two years, beginning on August 1, 2025. Eligible applicants are U.S. universities and colleges with nuclear reactors. Other educational institutions can collaborate with a host institution in the application process. To support energy justice, the program aligns with the Justice40 Initiative, aiming for 40% of the benefits from federal investments to flow to disadvantaged communities. The FOA encourages partnerships with Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) to further energy justice and inclusivity. Applications are due by October 16, 2024, and must be submitted through the NEUP.gov platform.