Call for Applications for Nonproliferation & Arms Control Program Studies, Training & Outreach

The U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN), Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control (DNN NPAC) is soliciting applications for nuclear safeguards, export controls, verification, and policy needs described herein.

Donor Name: National Nuclear Security Administration

State: All States

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 02/17/2023

Size of the Grant: $2,500,000

Grant Duration: 5 years

Details:

The mission of DNN NPAC is to prevent proliferation, ensure peaceful nuclear uses, and enable verifiable nuclear reductions. DNN NPAC provides a comprehensive approach to strengthen nonproliferation and arms control regimes, achieving its mission through four subprograms: International Nuclear Safeguards; Nuclear Export Controls; Nuclear Verification; and, Nonproliferation Policy in order to fulfill this responsibility.

Among its many activities, DNN NPAC sponsors program studies, domestic and international training, and outreach addressing International Nuclear Safeguards; domestic and international training,outreach, and program studies addressing Export Controls; and,program studies addressing Nuclear Verification and Nonproliferation Policy. To meet its mission, DNN NPAC applies the broad base of U.S. technical expertise including that of other government agencies, the DOE/NNSA National Laboratories, academia, nongovernmental organizations, and industry. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits grant applications for full and open competition.

Programs within OINS work with the National Laboratories, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and with international partners to:

Develop and strengthen policies to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of international safeguards.
Develop, mature, and transfer safeguards tools, technologies, and approaches to improve the application of safeguards at current and future fuel cycle facilities.
Attract, train, and retain safeguards professionals for employment at the National Laboratories and the IAEA; and
Improve the implementation of comprehensive safeguards agreements and additional protocols by foreign partners.

The Office of Nuclear Export Controls (ONEC)builds U.S. and global export control capacity to detect and prevent the illicit or inadvertent transfer of nuclear and dual-use materials, equipment, and technology. Programs within ONEC:

Conduct statutory technical reviews of U.S. export license applications for WMD proliferation concerns.
Providing guidance to DOE federal employees, their staff, and contractors throughout the complex to promote internal compliance with export control requirements.
Provide technical and policy support to strengthening multilateral export control regimes.
Collaborate with U.S. export enforcement agencies across the USG to prevent adversaries from exploiting the U.S. scientific and industrial base.
Work with partner countries around the world to build strategic trade control (STC) systems and improve implementation consistent with the multilateral export control regimes’ guidelines and control lists and United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolutions.

Funding Information

Ceiling (i.e., the maximum amount for an individual award made under this announcement): $2,500,000 per year or $12,500,000 for five-years.
Floor (i.e., the minimum amount for an individual award made under this announcement): $50,000 per year or $250,000 for five-years.

Eligibility Criteria

Proposed Recipients: Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) and Nonprofit Organizations
Proposed Restrictions: In accordance with 2 CFR 910.126(b), eligibility for award is restricted to the following:
Domestic Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) defined as:
- A public or private nonprofit educational institution that—
  - Is in a State;
  - Admits as regular students only persons who—
    - Have a high school diploma;
    - Have the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma; or
    - Are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in the State in which the institution is physically located;
  - Is legally authorized to provide an educational program beyond secondary education in the State in which the institution is physically located;
    - Provides an educational program—
      - For which it awards an associate, baccalaureate, graduate, or professional degree;
      - That is at least a two-academic-year program acceptable for full credit toward a baccalaureate degree; or
      - That is at least a one academic year training program that leads to a certificate, or other nondegree recognized credential, and prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation; and
    - May provide a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program, as described in 34 CFR part 668, subpart O; and
  - Is—
    - Accredited or preaccredited; or
    - Approved by a State agency listed in the FEDERAL REGISTER in accordance with 34 CFR part 603, if the institution is a public postsecondary vocational educational institution that seeks to participate only in Federal student assistance programs.
Per 2 CFR 200.1, a nonprofit organization means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization, not including IHEs, that:
- Is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest;
- Is not organized primarily for profit; and
- Uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operations of the organization.
For prospective applicants who are submitting financial assistance applications towards this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), Senior/Key Persons (such as the Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-PI) for the grant award must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The FOA further restricts the eligibility of scholarships and fellowships (Post-doctoral Fellows, graduate students, and undergraduate students) to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.