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