Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research (81.113)
Program
81.113 Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research
Federal Agency
NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Authorization
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, Section 3157, Public Law 101-189, 103 Stat. 1684, 42 U.S.C. 2051; Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, Title I, Section 107, Public Law 93-438; 88 Stat. 1240, 42 U.S.C. 5817; Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93-577; Department of Energy (DOE) Organization Act of 1977, as amended, Public Law 95-91, 42 U.S.C. 7101; Public Law 106-65; National Defense Authorization Act of 2000.
Program Number
81.113
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To conduct basic and applied research and development that enhances U.S. national security and reduces the global danger from the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and special nuclear materials through needs-driven research and development. The emphasis is on developing the requisite technologies to detect and deter nuclear proliferation and to meet U.S. nuclear explosion monitoring goals. Research focuses on advanced detection systems and concepts to support current and future USG policies.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Financial support, in whole or in part, may be provided for salaries, materials, supplies, equipment, travel, publication costs, services required for conducting nonproliferation research and engineering to reduce the global danger from the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Construction or related costs are not allowed under these project grants. All work must comply with export control regulations.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Universities (public and private), institutions of higher education with postdoctoral programs, and nonprofit non-government organizations (public and private) whose activities benefit the general public through results which are available to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), other U.S. government agencies, and universities and institutions of higher learning may apply.
Beneficiary Eligibility
The NNSA, other U.S. government agencies, universities and institutions of higher learning will benefit.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21 for institutions of higher learning. Non-government organizations will have nonprofit status certified by the IRS.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Informal communication should be addressed to the sponsoring Headquarters Program Office listed below before preparing a detailed formal application. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 are preferred; however, a technical proposal and a detailed cost estimate of less than 20 pages will be accepted. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Unsolicited proposals and formal application by a scientist or principal investigator who will conduct or lead the research team should be submitted to the NNSA Headquarters Office. Proposals should be submitted to: Office of Nonproliferation Research and Engineering (NA-22), Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, NNSA, Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20585.
Award Procedure
Evaluations will be conducted by technical staff assigned to the Office of Nonproliferation Research and Engineering or at the DOE national laboratories. Final decisions for approval are made by the cognizant program director. DOE/NNSA Headquarters Procurement or Operations Offices are then instructed to negotiate and prepare the grant award documents. Program management responsibilities may be delegated as a whole or in part to NNSA Site Offices.
Deadlines
None.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Grants will be modified and extended as required. Renewals are subject to an annual review by the Headquarters and/or Operations program office.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
There is no mandatory cost- sharing requirement.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The grant period is for up to 3 years depending upon available appropriations. The schedule of payments is arranged at the time of award.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Quarterly Progress status reports and an end of project report are required.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
None.
Program Accomplishments
The results and accomplishments from basic and applied research and development performed under these grants are reported in the open scientific literature. University research may be integrated with ongoing research and development programs at the DOE national laboratories which will facilitate access to and use of special facilities and equipment. The objective of these grants is to advance the state of knowledge on science and technology. The final product may lead to improved or new commercial products to ensure availability to the U.S. arms control and nonproliferation community. It is expected that less than 20 grants will be awarded per year.
Financial Information
Account Identification
89-0243-0-1-053.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $1,500,000; FY 03 est $1,500,000; and FY 04 est $2,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The typical range is from $10,000 to $250,000 per year; however, some grants may be greater.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
None.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Michael O'Connell, Office of Nonproliferation Research and Engineering (NA-22), Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, NNSA, Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20585. Telephone: (202) 586-2400.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Grants have been awarded to conduct research on: (1) Hyperspectral data analysis techniques for airborne detection systems; (2) improving Cadmium Zinc Telluride as a nuclear detector; (3) investigating signal classification algorithms for advanced Field Deployable Gate Array and Digital Signal Processing Chips; and (4) seismic research to improve detection, location, and discrimination of nuclear explosions.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The selection process will be determined on the following criteria: 1) Potential impact of proposed work; 2) technical merit; 3) qualifications of the proposed investigators; and 4) available resources.
