University Nuclear Leadership Program– Scholarship and Fellowship Support
🏛 Idaho Field Office
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 18, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for accredited U.S. two- and four-year colleges and universities (higher education institutions). Eligible institutions receive and administer scholarship and fellowship funding for their students pursuing nuclear science and engineering degrees. Schools must be able to identify and support qualified students in nuclear engineering, mechanical/electrical engineering, chemistry, health physics, nuclear materials science, and related fields. Student selection occurs through a separate DOE process; institutions serve as administrators of awarded funds.
Scholarships support undergraduate students; fellowships support graduate students. Programs focus on degrees in science and engineering disciplines related to nuclear energy and advanced reactors. Institutions must be accredited and able to manage cooperative agreements with the Department of Energy.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
A. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to award multiple cooperative agreements to accredited United States (U.S.) two- and four-year colleges and universities (Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)) to receive and administer scholarship and fellowship funding—provided through the University Nuclear Leadership Program (UNLP) and as administered by the Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE)—on behalf of selected students attending these U.S. IHEs. The selection of students to receive scholarships and fellowships through the program will occur via a separate DOE-NE process.
A.1 BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
UNLP works to attract qualified nuclear science and engineering students (NS&E) to nuclear energy professions by providing undergraduate level scholarships and graduate level fellowships. The scholarships and fellowships are focused on two-, four-year, and graduate programs in science and engineering disciplines related to nuclear energy such as nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, health physics, nuclear materials science, radiochemistry, applied nuclear physics, nuclear policy, radiation protection technology, nuclear power technology, nuclear maintenance technology, nuclear engineering technology, computer science, cybersecurity, nuclear safety, nuclear operations, mechanical and electrical maintenance, and radiation protection.
NE’s mission is to advance nuclear energy science and technology to meet U.S. energy, environmental, and economic needs. NE has identified the following goals to address challenges in the nuclear energy sector, help realize the potential of advanced technology, and leverage the unique role of the government in spurring innovation:
• Keep existing U.S. nuclear reactors operating
• Deploy new nuclear reactors
• Secure and sustain our nuclear fuel cycle
• Expand international nuclear energy cooperation
Collectively, all NE-sponsored activities support the Department’s priorities to combat the climate crisis, create clean energy jobs with the free and fair chance to join a union and bargain collectively, and promote equity and environmental justice by delivering innovative clean energy technologies for nuclear energy systems.
UNLP supports NE’s Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP), which enables outstanding, cutting-edge, and innovative research at U.S. IHEs through the following:
• Integrating research and development (R&D) at U.S. IHEs, national laboratories, and industry to revitalize nuclear education and support NE’s Programs
• Attracting the brightest students to the nuclear professions and supporting the nation’s intellectual capital in science and engineering disciplines
• Improving U.S. IHE’s infrastructure for conducting R&D and educating students
• Facilitating knowledge transfer to the next generation of workers
Educating undergraduate and graduate students in NS&E will:
• Support the ongoing need for personnel who can develop and maintain the nation’s nuclear power technology
• Enhance the R&D capabilities of U.S. IHEs
• Fulfill national demand for highly trained scientists and engineers to work in NS&E areas
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative describing institutional capacity and student support programs
- Description of nuclear science and engineering programs
- Budget and budget narrative
- Proof of institutional accreditation
- Evidence of cooperative agreement management experience
Program contact
- 👤 Andrew J Ford Grantor
- 📧 fordaj@id.doe.gov
- 📞 208-526-3059
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 81.121 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$1,696,938,131
-
$921,717,024
-
$262,655,693
-
Cfpp Llc UT$164,741,352
-
$108,279,097
-
$104,148,813
-
$89,719,689
-
$79,418,202
-
$73,208,000
-
$64,370,498
Top States by Funding
- WA 1 awards $1,696.9M
- TX 6 awards $933.1M
- OR 2 awards $264.3M
- PA 11 awards $231.0M
- VA 5 awards $180.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 81.121). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2018 | $167,853,383 | |
| 2019 | $156,000,000 | |
| 2020 | $81,000,000 | |
| 2021 | $552,990,732 | |
| 2022 | $186,458,508 | |
| 2023 | $973,321,767 | |
| 2024 est. | $531,693,271 | |
| 2025 est. | $180,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Accredited U.S. two- and four-year colleges and universities can apply. Institutions must be able to administer scholarships and fellowships for eligible students.
What fields of study are supported?
Nuclear engineering, mechanical/electrical engineering, chemistry, health physics, nuclear materials science, radiochemistry, applied nuclear physics, nuclear policy, radiation protection, nuclear safety, cybersecurity, and computer science. Any discipline must relate to nuclear energy.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is October 14, 2030. This is a fixed deadline.
How much funding is available per award?
Award amounts are not specified in standard ranges. The program distributes from a $50 million total funding pool through multiple cooperative agreements.
What is the role of the institution?
Schools receive and administer the scholarship/fellowship funds. DOE-NE selects the individual students in a separate process.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Ensure your institution has robust processes to identify, recruit, and support nuclear science and engineering students. Strong advising infrastructure is a plus.
- Highlight how your programs align with DOE's nuclear energy priorities: existing reactor operations, new reactor deployment, fuel cycle security, and international cooperation.
- Demonstrate institutional commitment to nuclear education and show evidence of successful student outcomes in related fields or programs.
- Plan for administrative capacity to manage cooperative agreement requirements and student fund disbursement. Document your experience managing federal awards.
- Connect your institution's nuclear programs to workforce development needs. Show how graduates fill roles in the nuclear sector.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to demonstrate strong nuclear science/engineering programs or student recruitment capacity. Weak or vague connections between your institution's offerings and DOE nuclear energy mission priorities. Insufficient administrative infrastructure to manage cooperative agreements and properly track scholarship/fellowship distribution.
Similar grants
- OPEN EPSCoR Graduate Fellowship Program (EGFP) — U.S. National Science Foundation
- OPEN NOI: PROSPECT Program: Providing Opportunities for Specialized Education in Critical Technologies — Golden Field Office
- ROLLING National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program – Opportunities in NASA STEM FY 2020 – 2024 — National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- OPEN Genesis Mission Graduate Fellowship Pilot — Office of Science
- OPEN Facilitating Research at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions: (RUI and ROA-PUI) — U.S. National Science Foundation