FOR NUCLEAR FORENSICS
🏛 NNSA
Can you apply?
This grant is for developing and advancing nuclear forensics capabilities and research through consortium partnerships.
Organizations with nuclear science expertise can apply. Universities, national laboratories, and specialized research institutions are eligible recipients. The program supports collaborative research projects focused on nuclear forensics technology and analysis.
Geographic scope is national. Funded activities include research, development, training, and consortium coordination. Projects must align with national security and nuclear nonproliferation objectives.
This grant is for developing and advancing nuclear forensics capabilities and research through consortium partnerships.
Organizations with nuclear science expertise can apply. Universities, national laboratories, and specialized research institutions are eligible recipients. The program supports collaborative research projects focused on nuclear forensics technology and analysis.
Geographic scope is national. Funded activities include research, development, training, and consortium coordination. Projects must align with national security and nuclear nonproliferation objectives.
Program description
Direct-fund basic research at universities that complement applied research in nuclear forensics at the DOE National Laboratories to include foundational disciplines of radiochemistry; geochemistry; shock physics; nuclear physics, science and engineering; radiation detector science; nuclear material science engineering; nuclear chemical engineering; modeling, simulation and optimization methods for nuclear applications; and seismology and infrasound methods supporting yield determination. A secondary benefit to this research is the development of a diverse and highly talented cadre of technical professionals, including scientists, engineers, technicians, and operational personnel, who will become the next generation of technical leaders in nuclear missions, such as nuclear forensics, nonproliferation, incident response, intelligence, and energy. These professionals are expected to primarily benefit the DOE National Laboratories as future research staff but will also benefit academia, private industry, and U.S. government agencies, including Energy, State, Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, and the Intelligence Community.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for developing and advancing nuclear forensics capabilities and research through consortium partnerships.
Organizations with nuclear science expertise can apply. Universities, national laboratories, and specialized research institutions are eligible recipients. The program supports collaborative research projects focused on nuclear forensics technology and analysis.
Geographic scope is national. Funded activities include research, development, training, and consortium coordination. Projects must align with national security and nuclear nonproliferation objectives.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative and Technical Description
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Organizational Capacity Documentation
- Letters of Commitment from Consortium Partners
- Resumes of Key Personnel
- Institutional Authorizing Official Signature
Program contact
- 👤 NNSA
- 📧 virginia.hernandez@nnsa.doe.gov
- 📞 5058454381
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 81.113 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$25,068,550
-
$25,000,000
-
$25,000,000
-
$24,987,282
-
$24,250,000
-
$15,000,000
-
$14,700,000
-
$10,000,000
-
$5,865,826
-
$5,296,338
Top States by Funding
- GA 2 awards $40.1M
- CA 3 awards $25.7M
- MA 1 awards $10.0M
- DC 6 awards $10.0M
- KY 4 awards $7.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Universities, research institutions, national laboratories, and nonprofit organizations with nuclear science or forensics expertise typically qualify. Applicants should have demonstrated capacity in nuclear research.
What is the typical deadline and application window?
The application window runs from March to June annually. Plan to submit your application well before the June deadline to avoid technical issues.
What types of activities are supported?
The program funds research, development, training, and consortium coordination in nuclear forensics. Projects should address national security priorities related to nuclear nonproliferation.
How competitive is this funding?
This is highly competitive federal funding. Applications must demonstrate significant technical merit and alignment with NNSA strategic priorities.
What is the typical funding range?
Awards vary widely depending on project scope. Multi-year funding is common for consortium research projects in this area.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start early and coordinate with institutional leadership and your grants office. Multi-institutional consortia require significant planning time.
- Demonstrate clear technical expertise in nuclear forensics or related sciences. Include credentials of key personnel.
- Align your proposal with NNSA nonproliferation and national security goals. Use language from agency strategic documents.
- Budget for consortium coordination and communication across institutions. Show realistic timelines and resource allocation.
- Request letters of commitment from all consortium partners before submission. Demonstrate institutional support and resource commitments.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Consortium proposals often lack clear governance structures and communication plans. Applicants underestimate coordination costs and complexity of multi-institutional partnerships. Weak connections to NNSA mission and nonproliferation priorities lead to rejection.
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