Reviewers needed for NRC research proposals
The deadline is fast approaching for submitting an application to become a technical reviewer for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s fiscal year 2025 research grant proposals.
Applications must be submitted by January 20. Contact the NRC’s Sarah Shaffer, senior grants administrative specialist for the University Nuclear Leadership Program (UNLP), by email at Sarah.Shaffer@nrc.gov or by phone at 301/415-2031.
Stats: The UNLP program has received 77-100 proposals each year since its start in FY2020.
This year, the NRC is expected to award $8 million to $10 million and anticipates awarding up to 20 grants.
Funding uses: The program provides funding to support research and development for nuclear science, engineering, technology, and related disciplines to develop a workforce capable of supporting the design, construction, operation, and regulation of nuclear facilities and the safe handling of nuclear materials.
Info for reviewers: The number of reviewers needed will be based on the number of proposals received by the NRC; last year 77 were submitted for review.
Once determined, the proposals will be categorized by technical area, and review panels will be organized. According to the NRC, for planning purposes, the estimated timeframe for the review process is approximately 4 weeks, and the reviews are anticipated to start the week of March 3. Reviewers will have approximately 2-3 weeks to review proposals (March 3-March 21) and then another 1-2 weeks to participate in a review panel teleconference (likely March 24–April 4). It is estimated that 8-10 proposals will be assigned to each review panel.
Below are the expected subject areas for which technical expertise is needed:
- Advanced materials and manufacturing for nuclear applications.
- Aging/degradation of nuclear plant systems, structures, and components.
- Digital engineering/analytics, advanced sensors and controls for nuclear applications (AI/machine learning and I&C)
- Risk analysis, probabilistic risk assessment, and external hazards for nuclear applications.
- Fuels analysis (characterization of fresh and spent nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants)
- Source term and radiation protection analysis.
- Advanced technology approaches (e.g., AI/ML).
- Thermal hydraulics and neutronics analysis.
- Cybersecurity associated with digital instrumentation and controls, remoter monitoring/control, and wireless communications at high-consequence facilities.
- Application of innovative and advanced technologies for space nuclear launches.
- Additive (advanced) manufacturing for nuclear technologies.
- Activities in the areas of neutronics, thermal hydraulics, and severe accident analysis will help validate the NRC’s scientific computer codes.
- Fire, external hazards, and human factors.
