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DOE/INL NRIC Nuclear Energy Launch Pad Request for Applications (RFA)

The Department of Energy (DOE), through the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), is inviting private industry to participate in the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad initiative. - The opportunity is a Request for Applications (RFA) for rapid development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies - Government buyer: DOE, specifically Battelle Energy Alliance–DOE Contractor at INL - Seeks projects involving advanced nuclear reactors, fuel fabrication, fuel cycle facilities (recycling, enrichment, conversion/deconversion), and supporting infrastructure - Two participation pathways: Launch Pad INL (at Idaho National Laboratory) and Launch Pad U.S.A. (other U.S. locations) - No specific OEMs, vendors, products, part numbers, or quantities are listed - Flexible technical and regulatory framework to expedite deployment - Applications reviewed on a rolling basis after the initial deadline; RFA remains open - Full requirements and evaluation criteria are in the attached RFA PDF - Place of performance includes Idaho National Laboratory and potentially other U.S. sites

Description

NATIONAL REACTOR INNOVATION CENTER NUCLEAR ENERGY LAUNCH PAD - IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY

Request for Application (RFA)

RFA Issue Date:

April 29, 2026

Initial Submission Deadline for Questions:

Potential applicants must submit RFA questions by June 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM MDT. NRIC will answer all questions received by that date and may answer questions submitted after that date at its discretion. All questions should be directed to: NRIC@inl.gov

Industry Day:

May 19, 2026, virtual attendance only. Refer to the NRIC website for Industry Day details and registration requirements. See link provided in the Links section below.

Initial Submission Deadline for Applications:

Applications must be submitted by July 08, 2026, at 5:00 PM MDT to be considered for the first selection round. After this date, applications may be submitted at any time and will be reviewed periodically for selection as soon as reasonably possible.

Initial Anticipated Selections:

NRIC anticipates announcing initial selections of participants by August 19, 2026, but will be dependent upon the number of applications received. NRIC may announce further selections of participants on a rolling basis after that date.

Special Note: After initial applications the RFA will remain open continuously and applications will be reviewed periodically for future selections. Time for future reviews and selections will be determined.

REQUEST FOR APPLICATION DETAILS:

SEE REQUEST FOR APPLICATION PDF FILE IN ATTACHMENTS BELOW FOR FULL APPLICATION DOCUMENT

GDE-55179 TO BE RELEASED SOON

RFA SUMMARY

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) are establishing the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad, an NRIC initiative aimed at promoting the rapid development and implementation of private industry deployments of a variety of advanced nuclear technologies.  The NRIC Launch Pad initiative builds upon DOE’s Reactor and Fuel Line Pilot Programs' success, creating an ecosystem to expedite advanced nuclear technology deployment using flexible technical and regulatory frameworks on federal and non-federal lands, through two distinct pathways, Launch Pad Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Launch Pad United States of America (U.S.A).

DOE established the Reactor Pilot Program in June 2025, in response to Executive Order 14301, to leverage DOE authorization with the goal of achieving criticality in three reactors by July 4, 2026. Additionally, in August 2025, DOE established the Fuel Line Pilot Program, to support the Reactor Pilot Program and leverage DOE authorization to establish a domestic nuclear fuel supply chain for testing new reactors.

Given DOE’s Pilot Programs' mission success, DOE plans to extend these opportunities using the NRIC Launch Pad. Launch Pad will build on and enhance the DOE's Pilot Programs by creating a physical space and framework to allow continued nuclear innovation.  As with the Pilot Program projects, Launch Pad  will unlock private capital and enable fast tracking towards commercial licensing.

Types of nuclear facilities envisioned for the Launch Pad initiative include, but are not limited to, nuclear reactors, fuel fabrication, other fuel cycle facilities (i.e., fuel recycling, enrichment, conversion/deconversion facilities), and other supporting facilities.

GDE-55179 SUMMARY

This document explains the process for applying to the National Reactor Innovation Center’s (NRIC) Nuclear Energy Launch Pad Request for Applications (RFA) and outlines the criteria used to evaluate and select applications. NRIC will administer this process on behalf of and in collaboration with the United States Department of Energy (DOE). Nuclear Energy Launch Pad has two pathways via Launch Pad Idaho National Laboratory (INL) “Launch Pad INL” or Launch Pad United States of America (U.S.A.) “Launch Pad U.S.A.” The RFA is meant to be a stand-alone document, however, this guide supplements the information contained in the RFA. Additional Links:Industry Day Information

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