# Fiscal Year 2026 Distinguished Early Career Program

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/de-foa-0003540-fiscal-year-2026-distinguished-early-career-program/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361022

> Idaho Field Office offered grants of up to $800,000 to colleges and universities. It expected to make about 4 awards worth $3.2 million in total. Applications closed on March 10, 2026.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | DE-FOA-0003540 |
| Agency | Idaho Field Office |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | March 10, 2026 |
| Award ceiling | $800,000 |
| Award floor | not stated |
| Expected awards | 4 |
| Total funding | $3.2 million |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 81.121 |

## Who can apply

- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education

## What the grant funds

The Office of Nuclear Energy’s (NE) 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; and • Expand international nuclear energy cooperation. All applications submitted under this NOFO must demonstrate a strong tie to NEs mission. NE conducts crosscutting nuclear energy research and development (R&D) and associated infrastructure support activities to develop innovative technologies that offer the promise of dramatically improved performance for its mission needs while maximizing the impact of DOE resources. NE strives to promote integrated and collaborative research conducted by national laboratories, universities, industry, and international partners in conjunction with NE’s programs and to deploy innovative nuclear energy technologies to the market to meet the strategic goals and optimize the benefits of nuclear energy. NE funds research activities, through both competitive and direct mechanisms, as required to best meet those goals. This approach ensures a balanced R&D portfolio and encourages new nuclear power deployment with creative solutions to the universe of nuclear energy challenges through various major research programs funded by NE.

## Questions people ask

### Is DE-FOA-0003540 still open?

No. It closed on March 10, 2026. A newer notice is open: DE-FOA-0003577, closes December 7, 2026 (30 days left).

### Who can apply for Fiscal Year 2026 Distinguished Early Career Program?

Idaho Field Office accepted applications from colleges and universities.

### What is the deadline for Fiscal Year 2026 Distinguished Early Career Program?

Closed March 10, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $800,000 each. About $3.2 million in total across about 4 awards.

### Who has won Nuclear Energy Research, Development and Demonstration grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Us SFR Owner LLC, X Energy, LLC, CFPP LLC. The program made 464 awards worth $3.2 billion in that time.