Unleashing American Energy Dominance and Expediting Responsible and Secure U.S. Small Modular Reactor Deployment through the FIRST Program

The U.S. Department of State’s International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN) Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) is offering a funding opportunity titled “Unleashing American Energy Dominance and Expediting Responsible and Secure U.S. Small Modular Reactor Deployment through the FIRST Program.” This initiative, under announcement number DFOP0017227, aims to support responsible nuclear energy deployment globally, with a specific focus on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The funding supports activities aligned with the highest standards of nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation, as part of the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of SMR Technology (FIRST) program. The FIRST program was launched in 2019 to enhance global nuclear partnerships and is designed to advance U.S. energy sovereignty and security objectives. The program’s primary objectives include assisting nuclear newcomer countries and current nuclear energy states in adopting U.S.-aligned safety and security protocols from the outset of their nuclear programs. Activities will be tailored to each partner country and may include technical training, feasibility studies, simulator development, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory guidance. The focus is on capacity building and sustainable implementation that adheres to international standards, especially the IAEA’s Milestones Approach. The program anticipates awarding up to ten grants or cooperative agreements for projects lasting 12 to 24 months. Award amounts range from $50,000 to $4,000,000, with a total program budget of approximately $19.5 million, contingent upon funding availability. Eligible applicants include U.S. for-profits, nonprofits, academic institutions, foreign-based NGOs and academic institutions, public international organizations, and foreign public entities. No matching funds are required, although voluntary cost-sharing is permitted. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 30 July 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Proposals must follow specific formatting and content guidelines and include documents such as SF-424 forms, project narratives, monitoring and evaluation plans, and budget justifications. Each application may include multiple standalone projects, with each project evaluated independently. A comprehensive set of templates and document guidelines are provided in the NOFO, and ISN/CTR will publish Q&A updates weekly until 25 July 2025. Evaluation criteria include the quality and feasibility of the project, organizational capacity, program planning, cost effectiveness, and sustainability. The final award decision will be made by a senior ISN/CTR official, taking into consideration policy alignment, geographic distribution, and merit review scores. Funded programs must report quarterly on financial and programmatic performance, and adhere to extensive administrative, financial, and reporting requirements set forth by the Department of State and relevant federal regulations. All applicants must possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and have an active registration with SAM.gov. There are specific restrictions on the use of funds, including prohibitions on activities that support UNRWA, encourage mass migration, or violate U.S. anti-discrimination laws. Applications from organizations affiliated with designated terrorist organizations or foreign entities violating human rights are ineligible. Final awards will be announced by 15 October 2025.

Align projects with IAEA Milestones Approach; ensure objectives are measurable; tailor training to partner needs; use US-aligned standards; sustainability and private sector involvement are encouraged