Research and Innovation Office

Extramural Coordinated Funding


UM Submission Instructions: High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) Transportation Package, Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) 2025

Sponsor: Department of Energy (DOE),Office of Nuclear Energy
Award Title: High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) Transportation Package, Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
Amount: $3 Million
Topic Area 1: Applications for NRC certification of new package design concepts. Approximate total available funding: $12,000,000 Approximate number of awards: Up to 4 awards Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: Up to $6,000,000 in total project cost with DOE paying up to $3,000,000 Minimum cost share required: 50% of the total project cost Approximate award project period: Up to three years Anticipated length of individual budget periods: 12 months Topic Area 2: Applications for NRC certification of modification to existing design packages Approximate total available funding: $4,000,000 Approximate number of awards: Up to 4 awards Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: Up to $2,000,000 in total project cost with DOE paying up to $1,000,000 Minimum cost share required: 50% of the total project cost Approximate award project period: Up to two years Anticipated length of individual budget periods: 12 months
UM Deadline: 12/13/2024
Sponsor Deadline: 01/21/2025
Description: This NOFO seeks applications for research, development, and acquisition of NRC certification for HALEU transportation packages focused on front-end transportation packaging needs to support a sustainable supply chain. Industry’s front-end HALEU transportation needs include:
1. Transport of enriched, up to <20% HALEU, UF6
2. Transport of tails/de-converted material,
3. Transport of fresh finished fuel.

To address the most immediate needs in this funding opportunity, DOE is considering:
1. Oxide transportation packages.
2. Metal transportation packages.
3. UF6 transportation packages.
4. Packages capable of supporting combinations of the above.

Eligibilty Note:
Topic Area 1:Applications for NRC certification of new package design concepts. DOE intends this topic for concepts that will likely require sufficient award duration and funding to achieve cost-competitive, economically viable transportation packages.
A Transportation Package used to transport (oxide, metal, UF6, combination)
Applicants are permitted to submit a separate application for each respective HALEU Fuel Form (oxide, metal, UF6, or combination) under Topic Area 1. However, applicants are limited to only one application per HALEU Fuel Form.

Topic Area 2: Applications for NRC certification of modification to existing design packages. DOE intends this pathway for concepts that are further along in the development and require less time and costs associated with achieving NRC certificate of compliance (CoC).
A Transportation Package used to transport (oxide, metal, UF6, combination)
Applicants are permitted to submit a separate application for each respective HALEU Fuel Form (oxide, metal, UF6, or combination) under Topic Area 2. However, applicants are limited to only one application per HALEU Fuel Form.
Number of Applicants University is Allowed to submit: Up to 8 - different areas
Additional Requirements: Cost - Sharing
Sponsor Guidelines: https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/us-department-energy-issues-new-funding-opportunity-develop-haleu-transportation
UM Nominations Process: Those interested in applying should submit the following as a single pdf document to collabor@umn.edu no later than 4pm on: DATE

1. Cover page including PI name, department, contact information, project title, any co-PI's name and department, and one paragraph project abstract.
2. Project summary - to include solicitation specific information. (not more than three pages) -
3. Biosketch of PI and any co-PI's (2 - 5 pages, NSF, NIH, or other relevant format).
4. 2-3 names of possible reviewers (with no Conflicts of Interest) plus 5 keywords to be used as search terms for possible reviewers (can be added to Cover Page)

Any questions can be submitted to collabor@umn.edu
Peer Review Coordination: Research and Innovation Office contact email
Status: The internal deadline has passed but no applicants were selected. Please contact the office coordinating the peer review for more information.
Please note: To be considered for peer review and internal selection, faculty must follow the above submission guidelines and meet the UM deadline as set by the office coordinating the peer review for this opportunity.



General Information

  • Each posting has information about the external sponsor and opportunity as well as the internal application instructions.
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Column Descriptions

  • Sponsor: redirects you to the sponsor's main website
  • Title/Guidelines: redirects you to sponsor specific information regarding the opportunity which may include description, eligibility, budget instructions, forms and other requirements
  • Amount: Maximum dollar amount awarded.
  • Add’l Req: Identifies special requirements such as cost sharing, partners, etc.
  • Sponsor Deadline: External deadline identified by the sponsor.
  • UM Submission Instructions: Contains specific internal submission requirements including internal proposal instructions, deadline, eligibility, internal nomination process, contact information.
  • # Apps: The maximum number of applications the sponsor will allow the university to submit.
  • UM Deadline: Submission deadline for internal proposal as determined by the coordinating office.
  • Status:
    • Open: UM deadline has not passed and the opportunity is open for application.
    • In Review: Peer review process is in progress for the opportunity.
    • PI Selected: The PI has been selected as the official UM nominee.
    • Closed: Sponsor deadline has passed and the opportunity is closed for application.
U of M Submission Instructions (Required)

This link includes summary sponsor information, specific instructions for internal submission and contact information for the university office coordinating the nomination process.

  • Follow the directions in the submission instructions and submit required materials by the UM deadline to the contact indicated.
  • Instructions vary according to the requirements of the sponsor and the university office coordinating the nomination process.
Registration (optional)

Registration is an optional but highly recommended feature. Perhaps you are looking for a wider audience for your proposal idea, or for potential collaborators to work with to create a stronger application. Registration allows applicants to share proposal ideas and post contact information.

Registration also provides information that helps the university office overseeing the nomination to determine the level of coordination needed and guide the review process.

To register (or view registrants), click on the UM Submission Instructions for a specific opportunity, then click on the Register Interest link.

Selection Process

  • Once the internal deadline has passed, the status will change to “In Review” and proposals will undergo review.
  • If there are multiple applicants, the office managing the nomination will determine the review criteria and coordinate the review process.
  • Once review has been completed all parties will be notified via email.
  • Nominees will be provided with a letter addressed to the sponsor from the RIO indicating that they are the university's nominee. This letter should accompany the nominee's proposal.
  • SPA is notified of the university's nominee(s) and the status is updated to “PI Selected”.


*If you have questions about the University's process related to extramural funding opportunities requiring nomination or if you have any technical issues with the site, contact collabor8@umn.edu.

For questions, please contact RIO's Research Advancement group.