Research, Development, and Training in Isotope Production
Quick Info
Opportunity ID: DE-FOA-0003530
Issuing Office: Office of Science
Post Date: 17 January 2025
Generated using: o1-2024-12-17
This is your last reminder that AI can make mistakes! Always double check.
Free and open source!
Created using Composer v0.0.4 - Contributions, feedback and complaints welcome!
All model response marked as safe
Scientific Summary
This funding opportunity supports research on innovative, cost-effective technologies for enriching, producing, processing, recycling, and purifying isotopes in short supply, particularly through robotics, AI/ML, and advanced manufacturing methods that boost efficiency and safety. It aims to expand and improve isotope production capabilities without duplicating existing work, emphasizing cutting-edge techniques to serve national needs. Proposals lacking alignment with these isotope-focused objectives or duplicating prior R&D (and thus offering no new advances) will not be funded.
Logistical Summary
The FOA is sponsored by the Department of Energy’s Office of Science under the Isotope R&D and Production (DOE Isotope Program). The technical/scientific point-of-contact listed is Dr. Ethan R. Balkin at 301-903-1861, Ethan.Balkin@science.doe.gov.
National Lab Eligibility
Yes. Scientific staff at DOE/NNSA National Laboratories may apply either as a prime applicant (lead organization) or as part of a team (subaward or team member), but must obtain authorization from their DOE/NNSA Contracting Officer. If selected for funding, their work is supported under the DOE field work authorization system or their existing Management and Operating (M&O) contract.
Deadlines
Pre-application due date: Printed on the cover of the NOFO
Encourage/Discourage date: Printed on the cover of the NOFO
Application due date: Printed on the cover of the NOFO
Funding
There is no specific estimated funding amount per award stated in the announcement; it depends on the number of meritorious applications and available funds. The anticipated period of performance is 2 years.
Competitiveness
Based on typical Office of Science funding patterns, relatively few awards are expected compared to the likely number of applications, making this opportunity highly competitive. The potentially significant funding available (though not expressly stated here) will attract experienced researchers and institutions. Applicants should be prepared for a rigorous review process and plan to submit a comprehensive, high-quality proposal.
Gotchas
Respondents commonly make mistakes such as skipping required forms (e.g., Data Management Plans), mislabeling attachments (e.g., placing letters of collaboration in the wrong field), or neglecting mandatory registrations (e.g., SAM.gov). They may also fail to adhere to page limits or submission instructions, include disallowed materials (like letters of support from certain officials), or submit in the wrong portal. To avoid these, thoroughly follow the NOFO’s instructions, use the “Checklist for Avoiding Common Errors,” and ensure all forms and attachments are accurate, complete, and properly submitted.
Prompt Information
Scientific Summary
Summarize the scientific objectives of this funding opportunity. Pay close attention to the key themes of the proposal and especially the scientific areas of research the funding opportunity is concerned with. In addition, summarize non-goals of the funding opportunity, i.e., scientific research that the opportunity specifically will NOT fund. In summary, what will this proposal fund? What will it not fund? Answer both of these questions clearly.
Logistical Summary
Briefly summarize the logistics of the proposal. For example, which sub-office is sponsoring this (e.g. DOE Advanced Scientific Computing Research; ASCR)? Who is the technical point-of-contact/program manager?
National Lab Eligibility
Answer the question: are scientific staff at United States Department of Energy national laboratories eligible to respond to this funding opportunity (either as the lead or otherwise) and if so, in what capacity.
Deadlines
Record ALL deadlines mentioned in the funding opportunity, and present them in the format of “<deadline type>: <date>”, where deadline type is the deadline in question (final draft, pre-application, letter of intent, etc.) and date is the deadline including a time, if provided (e.g. 12 February 2023 at 5:00 PM EST).
Funding
How much funding PER AWARD is estimated for this opportunity, and what is the period of performance for the award?
Competitiveness
Speculate on the competitiveness of this award. Take into account the award amount, number of awards expected, etc. Summarize your conclusions in 3 sentences or less.
Gotchas
Often times, there are simple mistakes respondent can make that will significantly reduce their chances of getting funded, or disqualify them all together. Some examples of this might be failing to include an appendix or supplemental material, or failing to partner with a university. Summarize some of the common key mistakes respondents make and how to avoid them.