Unleashing American Energy Dominance and Expediting Responsible and Secure U.S. Small Modular Reactor Deployment through the FIRST Program
Agency: Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation
Assistance Listings: 19.033 -- Global Threat Reduction
Last Updated: May 30, 2025
Description
ISN/CTR administers the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Technology Program (FIRST) to enable partner countries’ responsible nuclear energy deployment under the highest nuclear security, safety, and nonproliferation standards. FIRST is ISN’s flagship programmatic tool to advance President Trump’s Executive Order on Unleashing American Energy in global nuclear energy markets. Launched in 2019, FIRST harnesses the power of U.S. public-private partnerships and the innovation of the U.S. nuclear industry to engage partner countries worldwide seeking to...
build or expand their nuclear energy programs to meet energy needs. Expertise acquired through FIRST workshops, webinars, technical consultancies, study tours, feasibility studies, SMR simulators, regional training hubs, and site visits includes SMR technology selection, SMR deployment roadmaps, SMR fleet deployment regional harmonization initiatives, nuclear security and nonproliferation considerations for SMR deployment, nuclear safety and licensing best practices for advanced reactors, SMR site selection and characterization, nuclear workforce development, stakeholder engagement, preparation for SMR financing, integrating nuclear in the energy mix, planning for responsible spent fuel and SMR waste management, and more. These civil nuclear energy partnerships harness the power of the U.S. nuclear industry to expedite the deployment of safe, secure, and proliferation-resistant SMRs meeting the highest international standards.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Miscellaneous
- Other
Additional information
The following organizations are eligible to apply: U.S. for-profit organizations or businesses; U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations with or without 501(c) (3) status of the U.S. tax code; U.S.-based private, public, or state institutions of higher education; foreign-based non-profit organizations/non-government organizations (NGO); Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs); Public International Organizations (PIO) ; Foreign Public Entities (FPE); and foreign-based institutions of higher education.
Grantor contact information
Description
FIRST@state.gov
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Documents
| File name | Description | Last updated |
|---|---|---|
| FY_2025_Budget_Template_241004.xlsx | Budget template | May 30, 2025 07:11 PM UTC |
| FIRST_NOFO_DFOP0017227_-_30_May_2025.docx | NOFO Guidance | May 30, 2025 07:11 PM UTC |
| FY25_CTR_Consolidated_Project_List.xlsx | FY25 CTR Consolidated Project List | May 30, 2025 07:12 PM UTC |
| FY25_CTR_Project_Narrative_Template_250401.docx | FY25 CTR Project Narrative Template | May 30, 2025 07:12 PM UTC |
| Monitoring_Indicator_Table_Sample.xlsx | Monitoring Indicator Table Sample | May 30, 2025 07:12 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
Closing: July 30, 2025
Award
$19,500,000
Program Funding
10
Expected awards
$50,000
Award Floor
$4,000,000
Award Ceiling
Funding opportunity number:
DFOP0017227
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No
Funding instrument type:
Cooperative agreement
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
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Category of Funding Activity:
Other
Category Explanation:
Non-proliferation
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
May 30, 2025
Archive date:
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