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Eligible: Education

Apply by Mar 3, 2026

Apply now
Active

$0 - $800,000

Fiscal Year 2026 Distinguished Early Career Program

From US Department of Energy

The Distinguished Early Career Program (DECP) is DOE-NE’s most prestigious award for the most innovative distinguished faculty members beginning their independent careers. This NOFO provides stable support for early career faculty to form the impactful research groups, innovative lines of inquiry, educational approaches, and critical new research directions that will drive the next generation of nuclear energy innovation over a project period of five years.

  • Overview

    • Type

      Grant

    • Title

      Fiscal Year 2026 Distinguished Early Career Program

    • Source

      US Department of Energy

    • Federal or State

      Federal

    • Total Amount

      $3,200,000

    • Number of Awards

      4

    • Award Range

      $0 - $800,000

    • Cost Share

      No

    • Status

      Active

  • Topics

    Climate
    Energy Efficiency

  • Eligibility

    • Audience

      Education

    • Sector

      Climate, Energy Efficiency

    • Eligibility

      Eligible Entities

      • Private institutions of higher education
      • Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

      DOE is restricting prime applicant eligibility for this NOFO to U.S. Universities and Colleges to ensure the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) supports university research, collaborations with industry and national laboratories, and training and educating the next generation nuclear workforce.

      Eligible Activities

      • Nuclear energy research and development
      • Infrastructure support activities
      • Collaborative/integrated research projects

    • Location

      National

  • Application Process

    • Application Link

      Apply Now

    • Pre-Application?

      No

    • Requirements

      Principal investigators working with their organizations (see eligibility above) to develop an application must meet the following qualifications:

      • Have the skills, knowledge, and resources to carry out the proposed research
      • Is an untenured, tenure-track assistant professor at a U.S. academic institution
      • Is no more than 4 years from initial faculty appointment and no more than 10 years from doctorate award, as of January 31, 2026
      • Is employed in the eligible position as of January 31, 2026
      • Will serve as the sole PI (no co-PIs permitted)
      • Has not received a similar federally funded early career award
      • Is submitting only one application on their behalf to this FY 2026 DECP NOFO and has submitted applications to no more than three (3) NE DECP NOFOs total

    • Disbursement Method

      Unspecified

  • Important Dates

    • Application Open Date

      Dec 15, 2025

    • Application Close Date

      Mar 3, 2026

    • Application Close Time

      12:00 AM PST

    • Period of Performance Start

      Feb 1, 2027

    • Publish Date

      Dec 15, 2025

  • Resources & Contacts

    • Contact

      Application Site: https://proposals.inl.gov
      Helpdesk: NEUP@inl.gov

    • Technical Assistance Contact

      For any issues with accessing the full Notice of Funding Opportunity:

      Jacob Lingard, Idaho Field Office, Phone: 208-526-5820, lingarjn@id.doe.gov
      Andrew Ford, Idaho Field Office, Phone: 208-526-3059, fordaj@id.doe.gov

    • Resources

      NEUP Funding Opportunities Now Open

  • Have a general question?

    Get answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about funding.

  • Need help with something specific?

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