U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Scholarship And Fellowship Program (77.008)

Program

77.008 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Scholarship And Fellowship Program

Federal Agency

Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Authorization

Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-58, 119 Stat. 801, 42 U.S.C 2051(b).

Program Number

77.008

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

This Scholarship and Fellowship program provides funding for undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, trade school and community college scholarships, and faculty development grants. The program allows students to pursue an education in science, engineering, or another field of study that the Commission determines is in a critical skill area related to its regulatory mission. Scholarship and fellowship recipients need to be enrolled in a trade school or postsecondary educational institution; programs accredited by an accrediting agency or state approval agency; registered apprenticeship programs; a professional degree or graduate program offered by an accredited institution of higher education in the United States.

The activity supported by this funding is intended to benefit the nuclear sector broadly. Consequently, NRC requires scholarship and fellowship students to serve 6 months in nuclear-related employment for each full or partial year of academic support. The employment may be with NRC, other Federal agencies, State agencies, Department of Energy laboratories, nuclear-related industry, or academia in the students� sponsored fields of study. Recipients of scholarships and fellowships must commit to the service obligation agreement.

The program also supports faculty development in the nuclear-related fields of Nuclear Engineering, Health Physics, Radiochemistry and related disciplines as determined by the NRC. The program specifically target probationary, tenure-track faculty in these academic areas during the first 6 years of their career.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

This program provides funding to accredited post-secondary schools and institutions of higher education to provide scholarships, fellowships, and stipends to develop a cadre of professionals, and a workforce capable of supporting the design, construction, operation, and regulation of nuclear facilities and the safe handling of nuclear materials. Faculty development grants provide support for developing applications for research, small amounts for initiating or continuing research projects in their areas of expertise, and expenses associated with an institution�s faculty development plan.

Funds are managed by the awardee institution. Primary responsibility for general supervision of all grant activities rests with the grantee institution. Funds many not be used for purposes other than those specified in the award. Fellowships, scholarship and stipends are paid to the students and fellows directly through his/her institution. Scholarship and fellowship recipients are required to comply with a service obigation agreement for a period equal to the level of support received.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must be four year U.S. public and private institutions of higher education.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Undergraduate and graduate students. Four year public and private intuitions of higher education.

Credentials/Documentation

Applications using the SF-424 forms stipulated in the Funding Opportunity Announcement must be submitted through Grants.gov, signed electronically by an official authorized to commit the institution in business and financial affairs, and who can commit the organization on the SF-424B to certain proposal certifications. Costs will be determined in accordance with 2 CFR 220 (OMB Circular No. A-21) for colleges and universities. Recipients for scholarship and fellowship support must show evidence of ability such as academic records, and grade point average. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Applications should be submitted by eligible institutions as specified in the funding opportunity announcement posted at www.grants.gov.

Award Procedure

Applications are processed by the assigned staff and approved by the NRC, based on a set of criteria established by the NRC, as stated in the Funding Opportunity Announcement.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 120 to 180 days.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

From 120 to 180 days. Proposals for renewal are subject to review and acceptance by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission office of Human Resources Training Division.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The period of performance for project grants shall not exceed five (5) years at intervals determined at the time of award. Funds must be obligated within the active period of performance. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Program reports are not applicable. Cash reports are not applicable. Semi-annual progress reports and final report requirements will be stipulated in the terms of award in compliance with 2 CFR 215.51. The recipient shall submit a "Federal Financial Report," SF-425 at intervals specified in the terms of award in compliance with 2 CFR 215.52. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

Awardees must comply with 2 CFR 215.53, "Retention and Access Requirements for Records.".

Program Accomplishments

Not Applicable.

Financial Information

Account Identification

31-0200-0-1-276.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $14,456,164; FY 09 est $14,997,887; FY 10 est $15,000,000 - Funds availability are subject to annual appropriations.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Awards range from $36,500 to $450,000 in FY2009, with an average award of $307,000.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Reports, brochures, guidelines and frequently asked questions are available at http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/grants.html.

Related Programs

77.006 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nuclear Education Grant Program

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

John Gutteridge One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike and Two White Flint North, 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852 Email: John.Gutteridge@nrc.gov Phone: 301-492-2313

Web Site Address

www.nrc.gov .

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Undergraduate Scholarships in Nuclear Engineering
New Generation Nuclear Engineering Faculty Development Program
Faculty Development Program for Junior Faculty with Major Research Thrusts in the Area of Nuclear Engineering
Nuclear Engineering Ph.D. Student Program
Nuclear Education Graduate Fellowship Program
Junior Faculty Development: Loading the Fuel of the 21st Century Academic Reactor Core
Scholarships to Nuclear Technology Program Students
College Energy Production Scholarships
Professional Pipe Welders:� Safety and Security in the Nuclear Welding Industry
Trade School Scholarship Program
Development of a Nuclear Thermal-Hydraulics and Safety Research Program
Junior Faculty Development Program
Undergraduate Nuclear Engineering Scholarship Program
Graduate Fellowship Program in Nuclear Engineering
Nuclear Education Fellowship Program
Nuclear Engineering and Health Science Scholarship Program
Nuclear Science Workforce Development Scholarships
Nuclear and Radiological Scholarship Program. Fiscal Year 2009: Scholarships for Aspiring Nuclear Energy Technicans to Develop the Energy Operations Tract within Engineering Technology as a Degree Program
Nuclear Education Trade School Scholarship Program
Preparing the 21st Century Energy Workforce
Graduate Fellowship in Nuclear Engineering
Health Physics Fellowship Program
University Faculty Development Grant for Advanced Nuclear Power Technologies
Project to Create a New Course in Nuclear Welding
Nuclear Sector Technician Education Scholarship Program. Fiscal Year 2010: No current data available.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Capacity and ability of the institution to effectively conduct the program. Number and quality of students that will be served by the program. Justification for number of students served and amount of stipend and scholarship support. Quality and feasibility of recruitment and marketing strategies. Quality of technical programs for scholarship/fellowship programs. Type of student support, i.e. mentoring or advisor assistance Feasibility and completeness of an evaluation plan that will measure the effectiveness of the scholarship/fellowship program Institutional support for the program and the extent to which the institution is committed to making the program an organizational focus. Plans for sustainability. Additional merit review considerations apply.