U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Minority Serving Institutions Program (MSIP)

The former MSI Program previously awarded grants to minority serving institutions for undergraduate student scholarships and student fellowships to facilitate the exchange and transfer of knowledge and skills relevant to nuclear safety, security, environmental protection, or any other field the Commission deemed critical to its mission. The objective was to develop a workforce capable of supporting the design, construction, operation, and regulation of nuclear facilities as well as the safe handling of nuclear materials.

The former NRC MSIP grant program was, and remains, suspended since the issuance of Executive Order (E.O.) 14222 on February 26, 2025. No new awards were made in FY 2025, but 6 of 7 previously awarded grants remain in place and have been fully funded. The NRC is currently assessing whether current jurisprudence, including but not limited to, Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, 143 S. Ct. 2141 (2023), the rationale and recommendations of Attorney General Opinion [49 Op. O.L.C. __ (Dec. 2, 2025)], Executive Order 14332 “Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking” (August 7, 2025) and all other available relevant guidance (including the U.S. Department of Justice), requires any modification or termination of the NRC’s MSI Program or modification or termination of any of the terms or conditions of any of the still extant prior discretionary funded grants. All provisions of this report set forth hereafter should be read with the understanding of the NRC’s current and on-going review and assessment of the MSI Program and the extant discretionary funding grants.

Formerly MSIs, including accredited U.S. public institutions of higher education, community colleges, and trade schools

Applications were reviewed by panels and award recommendations made by the NRC Selecting Official, based on a set of criteria established by the NRC, as stated in the Notices of Funding Opportunity. However, the MSI grant program was suspended following issuance of E.O. 14222. No FY 25 awards were issued.

Applications were reviewed by panels and award recommendations made by the NRC Selecting Official, based on a set of criteria established by the NRC, as stated in the Notices of Funding Opportunity. However, the MSI grant program was suspended following issuance of E.O. 14222. No FY 25 awards were issued.