DOE SiC Cladding Lead Test Rod (DE-FOA-0003577)

Executive Summary

The DOE Office of Nuclear Energy is funding one cooperative agreement to develop and fabricate silicon carbide (SiC) cladding fuel rods for irradiation testing in research reactors by 2030. Businesses, universities, nonprofits and governments are eligible. Applications are due December 7, 2026.

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The deciding factor is the award structure. DOE expects 1 award and requires cost sharing, so it will fund a single team that can fabricate rods, insert them into a research reactor, run irradiation and complete post-irradiation examinations by 2030. Most startups will have their best chance as a team member or subrecipient under a prime applicant with fuel fabrication and irradiation capability.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy (issued by the Idaho Field Office)
• Opportunity: Silicon Carbide Cladding Lead Test Rod Development-Phase 1
• Number: DE-FOA-0003577 (Assistance Listing 81.121, Nuclear Energy Research, Development and Demonstration)
• Award Vehicle: Cooperative agreement; cost sharing required
• Funding: $50,000,000 in program funding; 1 expected award; up to $50 million over three years per DOE's announcement
• Due date: December 7, 2026

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the December 7 deadline.

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What Is the SiC Cladding Lead Test Rod Program?

DE-FOA-0003577 supports research, development and fabrication of silicon carbide cladding specimens for insertion into a research reactor, followed by irradiation and post-irradiation examinations, by 2030. DOE announced the opportunity on October 5, 2026, offering up to $50 million in competitive funding over three years. The work is expected to result in 12-foot SiC cladding fuel rods for irradiation testing in research reactors.

What Problem Is DOE Trying to Solve?

DOE's objective is to advance the scientific and technological maturity of silicon carbide cladding for nuclear fuel rods, for future use in commercial light water reactors. The program is meant to generate the irradiation performance data needed for U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing and commercial deployment of the material, improving reactor performance and further enhancing the safety of U.S. nuclear power plants.

Priority Capability Areas: What DOE Is Looking For

• SiC cladding research and development: Advancing silicon carbide cladding technology for nuclear fuel rods.
• Specimen and rod fabrication: Fabricating SiC cladding specimens, leading to 12-foot SiC-clad fuel rods.
• Research reactor insertion and irradiation: Preparing specimens for insertion and irradiation in a research reactor.
• Post-irradiation examination: Completing post-irradiation examinations by 2030.
• Licensing-relevant data: Producing irradiation performance data that supports NRC licensing and commercial deployment.

Funding and Award Terms

• Program funding: $50,000,000
• Expected awards: 1
• Duration: Three years, per DOE's announcement
• Instrument: Cooperative agreement, which means DOE will be substantially involved in the work
• Cost sharing: Required. The required share is set in the funding opportunity documents on Grants.gov.

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• Business: Small businesses; for-profit organizations other than small businesses
• Education: Public and state institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education
• Nonprofit: Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; other Native American tribal organizations
• Government: State, county, city or township, and special district governments; federally recognized Native American tribal governments

How to Apply

• Read the full funding opportunity: It is posted in two parts (NOFO Part 1 and Part 2), with an attachments file, on Grants.gov and Simpler.Grants.gov.
• Apply through Grants.gov: Register early and confirm your organization's registration status.
• Plan your team: Line up fabrication, irradiation and examination partners and your cost share before you write.
• Ask questions: The grantor contact is Jeff A. Rigby, rigbyja@id.doe.gov, 208-223-2479.

What Happens After You Submit?

DOE will review applications and expects to make 1 award as a cooperative agreement. Under a cooperative agreement, expect DOE to stay involved throughout the work, which runs toward post-irradiation examinations by 2030.

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

• Materials: You develop or fabricate silicon carbide materials, ceramic composites or nuclear fuel cladding.
• Testing: You can contribute to fabricating, inserting, irradiating or examining fuel rods, alone or as part of a team.
• Cost share: You can meet a cost sharing requirement.
• Market: You are aligned with commercial light water reactor fuel and NRC licensing pathways.

It may be a weaker fit if you are an early-stage startup with no fuel fabrication or irradiation partners. With 1 expected award, joining a prime applicant's team is likely the more realistic path.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For DOE cooperative agreements like this one, we help you:

• Check fit: Read the funding opportunity and compare it with your technical scope and eligibility.
• Decide your role: Choose whether to apply as a prime or join a team, and approach potential partners.
• Plan cost share: Build a budget that follows DOE requirements.
• Write the narrative: Respond to the merit review criteria with a clear technical plan.
• Manage submission: Handle the timeline, Grants.gov registration and final compliance checks.

Plan Your SiC Cladding Application

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DE-FOA-0003577?

A DOE Office of Nuclear Energy funding opportunity, issued through the Idaho Field Office, for research, development and fabrication of silicon carbide cladding specimens for research reactor insertion, irradiation and post-irradiation examinations by 2030.

When are applications due?

December 7, 2026.

How much funding is available?

$50,000,000 in program funding. DOE's announcement describes up to $50 million over three years.

How many awards will DOE make?

DOE expects 1 award.

Is cost sharing required?

Yes. The listing says cost sharing is required.

What type of award is this?

A cooperative agreement, which means DOE will be substantially involved in the project.

Who can apply?

Small businesses, other for-profit organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits, state and local governments, and tribal governments and organizations.

Can a startup apply?

Small businesses are eligible. Because DOE expects a single award for work running through 2030, many startups will have a stronger position as a team member or subrecipient under a prime with fabrication and irradiation capability.

Can BW&CO help with a SiC cladding application?

Yes. BW&CO can help you check your fit, plan teaming and cost share, and prepare a compliant application before the December 7, 2026 deadline. Book a call with our team.

Source: Simpler.Grants.gov: Silicon Carbide Cladding Lead Test Rod Development-Phase 1 (DE-FOA-0003577)