University Nuclear Leadership Program– Scholarship and Fellowship Support
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-04-29. Official notice and agency instructions control.
If you run a university with nuclear science or engineering programs, this 10-year DOE cooperative agreement funds scholarships and fellowships for your students in critical nuclear energy fields.
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What this is
This is a DOE-administered funding program that awards cooperative agreements to two- and four-year colleges and universities to administer scholarships and fellowships for students in nuclear science and engineering and related fields. The program targets students in disciplines like nuclear engineering, health physics, nuclear materials science, radiochemistry, cybersecurity, and nuclear operations. Universities act as pass-through administrators for student aid aimed at building the workforce for U.S. nuclear energy initiatives. Awards can reach up to $3 million, with a 10-year funding window (2020–2030).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants are accredited U.S. public, state-controlled, and private two- and four-year colleges and universities. Individual researchers, startups, and small businesses cannot apply directly; only degree-granting institutions of higher education qualify as cooperative agreement recipients.
Eligible applicant types
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
Full description — from the agency
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
Topics: nuclear engineering scholarships · DOE fellowship program · nuclear energy workforce · university cooperative agreement · nuclear science education funding
Public-source funding discovery only. This summary is generated from public agency data and may be incomplete or stale. NonDilute is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government agency. Official notices and agency instructions control. NonDilute does not determine eligibility, provide grant-writing advice, or guarantee funding.