Notice of Intent to Issue NOFO DE-FOA-0003649: Leveraging Domestic Infrastructure and Resources to Unleash Alternative Chemicals, Fuels and Feedstocks

Silicon Carbide Cladding Lead Test Rod Development-Phase 1Research, development, and fabrication of Silicon Carbide cladding specimens for research reactor insertion, irradiation, and post-irradiation examinations by 2030. The objective of this program is to advance the scientific and technological maturity of silicon carbide cladding for nuclear fuel rods for future use in commercial light water reactors.

Modification 000002: Updated Appendix A and the definition of “Construction and demolition waste”, also denoted as “C&D Waste”, to align with the programmatic authorizing statute for the Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office listed in NOFO Part 1, Section III.G. Statutory Authority. • “Construction and demolition waste,” for the purposes of this NOFO and consistent with the statutory authorities1, refers to waste organic materials from buildings, roads and bridges, and other sectors, but not included in municipal solid waste. It includes wood waste materials, including waste pallets, crates, dunnage, manufacturing and construction wood wastes (other than pressure-treated, chemically-treated, or painted wood wastes), and landscape or right-of-way tree trimmings. Updated Section III.D. Key Requirements and Section III.F. Applications Specifically Not of Interest to specify that target chemicals should have global annual markets or potential markets of at least 1 million metric tons. • Previously this metric was given as U.S. production of at least 1 million metric tons. Modification 000001: Moved the application content requirement for Letter(s) of Commitment (LOCs) from Stage 2 to Stage 1. • Added a clause in Section III.D indicating that LOCs are to be submitted with Stage 1 applications. • Updated the summary table in Section IV.D.2 to reflect the above (added Stage 1 LOC requirement) • Updated the summary table in Section IV.E.1 to reflect the above (added “(as needed, in addition to Stage 1 submittals)”). DOE CMEI is dedicated to securing America’s energy future by reinforcing domestic critical mineral supply chains, driving next-generation energy technology and manufacturing research, and promoting affordable, consumer-friendly solutions. CMEI’s AFFO is issuing this ASPECT NOFO, DE-FOA-0003647, to support research, development, and pre-pilot testing of innovative technologies that produce chemicals from alternative and waste feedstocks, mobilizing America’s abundant alternative feedstocks resources. The goal of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to advance promising chemical technologies that utilize alternative feedstocks through multiple levels of maturity and, in some cases, to pre-pilot scale. To accomplish this, the NOFO is divided into two topic areas, each divided into two subtopic areas designed to provide different on-ramps for technologies at different stages of development. Topic Area 1 supports the progression of technologies in the R&D phase. Subtopic Area 1a supports advancing early-stage research to bench scale. Subtopic Area 1b is intended to move projects closer to pre-pilot scale, to a point where critical unit operations must be further developed and demonstrated. Topic Area 2 provides an on-ramp for technologies ready to move from R&D to full pre-pilot scale and operations. Projects applying to Topic Area 2 should aim to advance their technology to design, construct, and operate pre-pilot scale facilities. Both subtopic areas have the same goal—to move technologies into integrated pre-pilot systems and operate them—but allow for two different points of entry. Subtopic Area 2a targets preliminary pre-pilot scale testing of critical unit operations before engineering and design can commence for the entire system while Subtopic Area 2b projects will involve technologies that are ready for design and construction of an integrated pre-pilot facility. Please see the full NOFO document at eere-exchange.energy.gov. Questions regarding the NOFO must be submitted to ASPECT@doe.gov. The required Concept Paper due date for this NOFO is 10/09/2026 at 5PM ET. The Full Application due date for this NOFO is 12/01/2026 at 5PM ET. As stated in the Notice of Intent (search DE-FOA-0003646 in eXCHANGE), a Teaming Partner List has been compiled to encourage collaboration and facilitate the formation of new project teams. Visit: TPL-0000073 Teaming Partner List for DE-FOA-0003646 NOI to Publish DE-FOA-0003647 The eXCHANGE system is currently designed to enforce hard deadlines for Concept Paper and Full Application submissions. The APPLY and SUBMIT buttons automatically disable at the defined submission deadlines. The intention of this design is to consistently enforce a standard deadline for all applicants. Applicants that experience issues with submissions PRIOR to the NOFO Deadline: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk and/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@ee.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues. Applicants that experience issues with submissions that result in a late submission: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission that results in a late submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk and/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@ee.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues (including finalizing the submission on behalf of, and with the Applicant's concurrence). DOE will only accept late applications when the Applicant has a) encountered technical difficulties beyond their control; b) has contacted the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance; and c) has submitted the application through eXCHANGE within 24 hours of the NOFO's posted deadline.

U.S. Advanced Nuclear Energy Licensing Cost-Share Grant Program The application deadline for current review cycle, anticipated selection notification date for the current review cycle, and anticipated award date for current review cycle have changed. See date changes on page 6 of NOFO Part 1. Also, applications must now be submitted within the respective application period (July 1, 2026 – November 30, 2026). See date changes on page 24 of NOFO Part 1.

Silcon Carbide Cladding Lead Test Rod Development-Phase 1 Research, development, and fabrication of Silicon Carbide cladding specimens for research reactor insertion, irradiation, and post-irradiation examinations by 2030. The objective of this program is to advance the scientific and technological maturity of silicon carbide cladding for nuclear fuel rods for future use in commercial light water reactors.

The opportunity for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuel and Environment (AJFE) was awarded in 2013 to the ASCENT cooperative aviation research organization. ASCENT is a coalition of 16 leading US research universities committed to improving the understanding of aviation noise and emissions and the modeling of aviation systems. ASCENT is co-led by Washington State University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (https://ascent.aero/). Any new grant opportunities under AJFE are open and available only to the university members of ASCENT.”

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

The U.S Department of Energy (DOE)’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) intends to establish, on behalf of the Analysis and Strategy Office (ASO), the PROSPECT Program—Providing Opportunities for Specialized Education in Critical Technologies—and anticipates investing up to $100 million, subject to the availability of appropriated funds, to strengthen the nation's educational capacity in critical minerals and materials.¿ The activities under this anticipated PROSPECT Program support collaborative approaches that strengthen educational pathways across the entire critical minerals and materials value chain—from mineral resource development and extraction through processing, manufacturing, recycling, and related supply chain activities. Specifically, the planned PROSPECT Program would build on existing investments in critical minerals and materials research, development, demonstration, and deployment by ensuring that the United States has the highly skilled workforce needed to support continued innovation and growth across the domestic supply chain.¿ Through collaboration among academia, industry, national laboratories, and other partners, the program is expected to help develop a durable talent pipeline that strengthens U.S. economic competitiveness, energy security, and national security. This Notice of Intent (NOI) is issued so that interested parties are aware of CMEI’s intention to establish this PROSPECT Program in the near term. All the information contained in this NOI is subject to change. CMEI will not respond to questions concerning this NOI. Complete information, including the full Notice of Intent, can be found on the DOE CMEI Funding Opportunities website: https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/.