Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003485
The Generation III+ Small Modular Reactor Pathway to Deployment funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0003485) is a U.S. Department of Energy, Headquarters-issued discretionary grant program focused on accelerating the near-term commercialization and real-world deployment of Generation III+ small modular reactor (SMR) technology. The opportunity is framed around the idea that nuclear power is already the largest source of carbon-free electricity in the United States and accounted for 48 percent of the nation s carbon-free electricity in 2023, but that additional new nuclear builds are needed to meet anticipated electricity demand growth while maintaining or expanding carbon-free generation. The program highlights that recent milestones, especially the successful operation of Vogtle Units 3 and 4, along with clean energy tax credits and other support created by the Inflation Reduction Act, are improving market confidence and creating momentum for new projects.
The core problem the funding seeks to address is the gap between improving market interest and true commercial liftoff. While utilities are extending existing reactor lifetimes toward 80 years through Nuclear Regulatory Commission actions, pursuing power uprates, reversing some planned closures, and even restarting previously shuttered plants, the notice emphasizes that the industry still faces major barriers to large-scale new build deployment. Those barriers include securing committed private and customer investment into a credible orderbook of projects and building out the industrial base needed to move from one-off builds to fleet-level deployment. In other words, the program is positioned to help transition SMRs from readiness and licensing progress into bankable projects and repeatable supply chain execution.
From the funding details provided, the opportunity falls under the Energy funding activity category with CFDA number 81.255. It is listed with a very large award ceiling of 800,000,000, signaling that DOE is contemplating substantial support for activities that materially de-risk early projects or enable first deployments, although the listing shows ExpectedAwards as 0, which can indicate that the final number of awards is not predetermined or will depend on application quality, negotiations, and available appropriations. The closing date is listed as 2025-01-17, and the opportunity was created on 2024-10-16. The eligible applicants field is broadly labeled as Others, but the announcement specifically directs applicants to consult the NOFO for eligibility requirements, meaning the formal notice will define which organization types, project structures, teaming arrangements, and cost-share expectations are allowed.
Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a deployment-pathway program rather than basic research funding: it is aimed at overcoming practical commercialization obstacles for Generation III+ SMRs by supporting activities that help establish investable projects, unlock customer commitments, and strengthen manufacturing and supply chain readiness for repeated builds. The emphasis on an orderbook and industrial base suggests DOE is looking for proposals that can demonstrate credible pathways to near-term project execution and longer-term fleet expansion, aligning nuclear energy s reliability and carbon-free attributes with emerging grid needs and policy-driven financial incentives. For anyone considering applying, the key next step is to review the NOFO itself to confirm eligibility, required cost share, permitted uses of funds, milestone expectations, and any restrictions tied to licensing status, domestic content, community and labor requirements, or project siting and offtake arrangements.Apply for DE FOA 0003485
- The Headquarters in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Generation III+ Small Modular Reactor Pathway to Deployment" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.255.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-10-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $800,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Generation III+ Small Modular Reactor Pathway to Deployment funding opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) discretionary grant funding opportunity aimed at accelerating near-term commercialization and real-world deployment of Generation III+ small modular reactor (SMR) technology. It is identified as DE-FOA-0003485 and is described as a deployment-pathway program rather than basic research funding.
Who is issuing this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of Energy, and it is specifically described as a Headquarters-issued discretionary grant program.
What is the main goal of this program?
The stated goal is to help move Generation III+ SMRs from readiness and licensing progress into bankable projects and repeatable supply chain execution, supporting near-term commercialization and first deployments.
Is this funding opportunity focused on research and development (R&D) or on deployment?
Based on the description provided, it is primarily focused on deployment and commercialization obstacles (for example, establishing investable projects and strengthening industrial base readiness) rather than basic research.
Why is DOE emphasizing new nuclear builds in this opportunity?
The opportunity frames nuclear power as already the largest source of carbon-free electricity in the United States, accounting for 48 percent of the nation’s carbon-free electricity in 2023. It also notes that additional new nuclear builds are needed to meet anticipated electricity demand growth while maintaining or expanding carbon-free generation.
What recent developments are cited as improving market confidence for nuclear projects?
The description highlights milestones such as the successful operation of Vogtle Units 3 and 4, as well as clean energy tax credits and other support created by the Inflation Reduction Act, as factors improving market confidence and creating momentum for new projects.
What problem is this funding opportunity trying to solve?
The opportunity is positioned around closing the gap between improving market interest and true commercial liftoff for new nuclear builds, especially SMRs. It notes that despite momentum, major barriers remain to large-scale new build deployment.
What barriers to large-scale SMR deployment are mentioned?
The notice points to barriers including: (1) securing committed private and customer investment into a credible orderbook of projects, and (2) building out the industrial base needed to move from one-off builds to fleet-level deployment.
What does the opportunity mean by an "orderbook"?
In the context provided, an orderbook refers to a credible set of committed projects supported by private and customer investment, suggesting a pipeline of deployments that can support repeated builds rather than isolated projects.
What does DOE mean by building an "industrial base" for SMRs?
The description emphasizes strengthening manufacturing and supply chain readiness so the sector can progress from one-off construction to repeatable, fleet-level deployment. This implies readiness across suppliers, manufacturing, and execution capabilities needed for multiple builds.
How does this opportunity relate to existing nuclear plants and life extensions?
The opportunity notes that utilities are extending existing reactor lifetimes toward 80 years through Nuclear Regulatory Commission actions, pursuing power uprates, reversing some planned closures, and restarting previously shuttered plants. Even with these actions, DOE states that barriers remain for large-scale new build deployment, which the program seeks to address.
What funding activity category is listed for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is listed as Energy.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The CFDA number provided is 81.255.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The listing includes a very large award ceiling of 800,000,000, indicating DOE is contemplating substantial support for activities that materially de-risk early projects or enable first deployments.
Does the listing indicate how many awards DOE expects to make?
The listing shows ExpectedAwards as 0. As described in the provided information, that can indicate the final number of awards is not predetermined and may depend on application quality, negotiations, and available appropriations.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2024-10-16.
What is the application closing date?
The closing date is listed as 2025-01-17.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligible applicants field is broadly labeled as "Others." However, the announcement specifically directs applicants to consult the NOFO for eligibility requirements. That means the formal NOFO will define which organization types and structures are eligible.
Where can applicants find the definitive eligibility requirements and rules?
The description indicates applicants should consult the NOFO itself for eligibility requirements and other rules, including permitted uses of funds and any cost-share expectations.
What types of project structures or teaming arrangements might be relevant?
The provided information notes that the NOFO will define allowed project structures and teaming arrangements. It also emphasizes themes like customer commitments, private investment, and industrial base readiness, which may influence how applicants structure partnerships.
What is meant by "bankable projects" in this program context?
Based on the information provided, "bankable projects" refers to projects that are credible and investable, supported by committed private and customer investment and positioned for near-term execution rather than remaining at the concept or early readiness stage.
What kinds of outcomes does DOE appear to be seeking?
The opportunity emphasizes outcomes such as enabling first deployments, de-risking early projects, securing customer and investor commitments, and strengthening manufacturing and supply chain readiness to support repeatable builds and longer-term fleet expansion.
Does the opportunity mention any specific nuclear technology type?
Yes. It is focused on Generation III+ small modular reactor (SMR) technology.
How does the opportunity connect to policy incentives like tax credits?
The description states that clean energy tax credits and other support created by the Inflation Reduction Act are improving market confidence and contributing to momentum for new projects, aligning with the program’s goal to accelerate near-term commercialization and deployment.
What should an applicant do as a next step before investing significant effort in an application?
The key next step identified is to review the NOFO to confirm eligibility, required cost share, permitted uses of funds, milestone expectations, and any restrictions tied to items such as licensing status, domestic content, community and labor requirements, or project siting and offtake arrangements.
Are cost share requirements confirmed in the provided information?
No. The information provided indicates that cost-share expectations should be confirmed in the NOFO, implying they may exist but are not specified in the summary.
Are there potential restrictions or requirements related to licensing, domestic content, labor, or siting?
The summary suggests applicants should check the NOFO for any restrictions tied to licensing status, domestic content, community and labor requirements, or project siting and offtake arrangements. Specific requirements are not listed in the information provided.
Is this program intended to support one-off projects or repeatable deployment?
The emphasis on moving from one-off builds to fleet-level deployment, along with strengthening the industrial base and establishing an orderbook, suggests the program is oriented toward repeatable deployment rather than isolated builds.
How does this opportunity describe the current state of nuclear energy in the U.S. grid?
It describes nuclear power as the largest source of carbon-free electricity in the United States and states that it accounted for 48 percent of the nation’s carbon-free electricity in 2023.
What is the overall theme of the opportunity in plain terms?
The overall theme is bridging the gap between increased interest in SMRs and actual commercial deployment by supporting the practical steps needed to turn projects into financeable, executable builds with a capable supply chain and a credible pipeline of future orders.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Energy
Next opportunity: Novel Mechanism Research on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (NPS) in Alzheimer's Dementia (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Previous opportunity: Heritage Site Protection
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DE FOA 0003485
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DE FOA 0003485) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) - Egypt Energy Sector Activity Apply for 72026325RFI00003 Funding Number: 72026325RFI00003 Agency: Egypt USAID-Cairo Category: Energy Funding Amount: $25,000,000 |
| Carbon Storage Assurance Facility Enterprise (CarbonSAFE): A Mid-Course Evaluation Apply for DE FOA 0003471 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003471 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advanced Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies to Drive National Goals Apply for DE FOA 0003439 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003439 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Quantum Computing for Computational Chemistry (QC3) Apply for DE FOA 0003482 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003482 Agency: Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy Category: Energy Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Rural Energy for America Program Apply for RDBCP REAP RES EEI 2025 Funding Number: RDBCP REAP RES EEI 2025 Agency: Rural Business-Cooperative Service Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| FY 2025 University Nuclear Research Infrastructure Revitalization Apply for DE FOA 0003314 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003314 Agency: Idaho Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $6,000,000 |
| Energy Talent Development - West Africa (ETD-WA) Activity Apply for 72067424R00011 Funding Number: 72067424R00011 Agency: South Africa USAID-Pretoria Category: Energy Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| HARMONY: Human-Centric Analytics for Resilient & Modernized Power sYstems Apply for DE FOA 0003446 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003446 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,250,000 |
| Office of Electricity (OE) and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office (EERE WETO) Apply for DE FOA 0003396 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003396 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,250,000 |
| NOFO: DE-FOA-0003373, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), Provision 41007 (b)(2), Wind Turbine Technology Recycling Apply for DE FOA 0003373 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003373 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| DE-FOA-0003517 Notice of Intent to Issue DE-FOA-0003518 and DE-FOA-0003520 Apply for DE FOA 0003517 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003517 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DE-FOA-0003535 Request for Information (RFI): Defining Sustainable Maritime Fuels in the United States Apply for DE FOA 0003535 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003535 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) Nuclear Fuel Supply Chain Innovative Technology Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Apply for DE FOA 0003487 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003487 Agency: Idaho Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $40,000,000 |
| Next Generation of Academia-Based Cyber Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) Apply for DE FOA 0003501 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003501 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program Apply for DE FOA 0003473 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003473 Agency: Headquarters Category: Energy Funding Amount: $400,000,000 |
| Fuel Cycle Research and Development to Assess Options as Technologies and Economics Evolve Apply for DE FOA 0003364 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003364 Agency: Idaho Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Solar with Wildlife and Ecosystem Benefits 2 (SolWEB2) Apply for DE FOA 0003492 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003492 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2025 Solar Module and Solar Hardware (SMASH) Incubator Apply for DE FOA 0003460 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003460 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| U.S. Advanced Nuclear Energy Licensing Cost-Share Grant Program Apply for DE FOA 0003339 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003339 Agency: Idaho Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| Sustainable Propane and Renewable Chemicals (SPARC) Apply for DE FOA 0003518 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003518 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DE FOA 0003485", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.