Optimizing Nuclear Waste and Advanced Reactor Disposal Systems (ONWARDS) (SBIR/STTR) | DE FOA 0002531

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002531

The Optimizing Nuclear Waste and Advanced Reactor Disposal Systems (ONWARDS) SBIR/STTR opportunity (DOE ARPA-E Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0002531) is a small business-focused funding call aimed at accelerating practical, high-impact technologies for the "back end" of advanced reactor nuclear fuel cycles. In plain terms, it targets the hard problems that come after fuel has been used or processed, including how advanced-reactor waste streams are measured, handled, immobilized, and ultimately disposed of in a way that is safer, smaller in volume, more secure, and less expensive than current approaches. ARPA-E positions this as applied research and development that is intentionally high-risk but potentially transformational, meaning the goal is not incremental improvement along a standard roadmap, but approaches that could create a step-change in performance and cost and become viable at scale.

The central program goal is to "close the back end" of advanced reactor (AR) fuel cycles by developing and demonstrating sustainable, cost-effective technologies that significantly improve the disposal impact of used nuclear fuel (UNF) and other waste streams associated with advanced reactors. The program is designed to cover both open (once-through, no reprocessing) and closed (with reprocessing) fuel cycle pathways, reflecting the reality that multiple fuel cycle strategies may be pursued for advanced reactors. ONWARDS emphasizes proliferation-resistant fuel cycles and seeks to proactively reduce not only the physical burden of waste but also the safety, security, and diversion concerns that come with handling and processing radioactive materials.

ONWARDS lays out specific, outcome-driven metrics that projects are expected to target. Key performance aims include: an order-of-magnitude reduction in waste volume generation or repository footprint for advanced reactor waste compared to the baseline for light-water reactors (LWRs); fissile material accountancy in reprocessing streams that is better than 1% (a major safeguard and security target, since tighter accountancy reduces uncertainty and diversion risk); the development of high-performance waste forms tailored to different deep geological repository (DGR) settings and disposal concepts; and cost targets on the order of about $1 per megawatt-hour (MWh). The FOA indicates that the technical areas of interest and the detailed performance targets are specified in the FOA sections referenced (technical categories in Section I.D and performance targets in Section I.E), with additional guidance on resources and partnerships in Section I.F.

A notable feature of the opportunity is its strong emphasis on real-world demonstration and the enabling infrastructure required to do credible nuclear back-end R&D. The FOA explicitly recognizes that progress in this area often requires specialized resources such as hot cells and gloveboxes, high-radiation testing environments for sensors, facilities and equipment for fuel processing and separations, capabilities for handling and storing radioactive and hazardous materials, and advanced modeling and high-performance computing tools. Because many small businesses do not have in-house access to these resources, the program encourages teaming arrangements with national laboratories, universities, and commercial partners that can provide facilities, materials, and subject matter expertise. While lack of access to these resources is not intended to disqualify an applicant at the concept paper stage, the FOA signals that full applications must credibly show access to the resources needed to execute the proposed work.

From an administrative and compliance standpoint, ARPA-E makes clear that applications must be submitted through ARPA-E eXCHANGE, and concept papers submitted through other channels will not be reviewed. Applicants are expected to register in eXCHANGE and follow the platform guidance provided in the ARPA-E eXCHANGE User Guide. Questions are routed through ARPA-E resources such as the FAQ page, the FOA email address (ARPA-E-CO@hq.doe.gov), and technical help for eXCHANGE issues via ExchangeHelp@hq.doe.gov (with the FOA name and number included in the subject line). Awards under this FOA are structured as cooperative agreements, and the opportunity sits within ARPA-E's statutory mission (as amended through the Energy Act of 2020) that explicitly includes transformative solutions for radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel management, cleanup, and disposal. The FOA also notes the governing administrative framework for awards (2 CFR Part 200 as supplemented by 2 CFR Part 910).

In terms of who can apply and what the funding looks like, the eligibility is limited to small businesses under the SBIR/STTR framework. The opportunity is listed under DOE assistance listings (CFDA) 81.135, with an award ceiling of $3,721,115 as shown in the provided source data. The posting lists a creation date of May 19, 2021, and indicates that concept papers were due July 9, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time, with ARPA-E strongly encouraging submission at least 48 hours early. While the source data displays "ExpectedAwards: 0," that field can sometimes reflect posting artifacts rather than the program's intent, so applicants typically rely on the FOA itself for authoritative award volume expectations.

Strategically, ONWARDS is framed as a complement to ARPA-E's broader advanced nuclear portfolio (including programs like MEITNER and GEMINA) by focusing on a major commercialization bottleneck: the absence of a widely accepted, clearly implementable path for final disposition of high-level waste. Even though the overall volume of nuclear waste is small compared to many other energy industries, the long-lived radioactivity, heat load, and safeguards considerations make disposal uniquely challenging. ONWARDS is essentially trying to reduce those challenges before advanced reactors are deployed at scale, so that the waste pathway does not become a limiting factor for advanced nuclear growth. The program is also designed to encourage co-development synergies, meaning advances in reprocessing, accountancy, and waste form performance can be considered early and integrated with the broader fuel cycle and reactor deployment plan rather than bolted on later at higher cost and risk.

• The Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy in the opportunity zone benefits, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Optimizing Nuclear Waste and Advanced Reactor Disposal Systems (ONWARDS) (SBIR/STTR)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.135.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 19, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 09, 2021 Concept Papers are due no later than July 9, 2021 at 930 a.m. ET. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit 48 hours in advance of the due date.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,721,115.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.

Apply for DE FOA 0002531

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: