High-performance Optimized Recycled Nuclear Isotopes for Gen IV reactors (HORNIG)

The High Performance Optimized Recycled Nuclear Isotopes for Gen IV Reactors program is a federal funding opportunity issued by the Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy within the United States Department of Energy. ARPA E was established to support high risk high reward energy technologies that can transform markets and strengthen national energy security. This program focuses specifically on advancing transuranic fuel technologies by leveraging domestic fissile material resources that are currently underutilized. The initiative is designed to reduce nuclear waste while expanding fuel supply chains and reinforcing United States leadership in advanced nuclear energy systems. The purpose of the program is to support research and development that enables the commercial deployment of transuranic fuels in next generation nuclear reactors. Projects are expected to address key technical gaps in fuel fabrication, modeling, testing, and qualification. The program seeks to deliver scalable, economically viable fuel technologies that can meet aggressive performance targets, including cost efficiency and regulatory readiness. By focusing on coordinated multidisciplinary approaches, the funding aims to accelerate the transition from experimental validation to commercial scale deployment while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. Funding under this opportunity totals approximately fifty million dollars, subject to appropriations, with an anticipated eight to ten awards. Individual awards may range from five hundred thousand dollars to seven million dollars in federal share. Projects are expected to span a performance period of up to thirty six months, with an anticipated project timeline from December two thousand twenty six through December two thousand twenty nine. Funding is structured through cooperative agreements or other transaction authority mechanisms, and recipients must comply with federal cost principles and reporting requirements. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes United States institutions of higher education, for profit companies, nonprofits, national laboratories, and individuals applying through an eligible entity. Project teams may consist of multiple partners, including consortia, and must meet domestic participation requirements unless waivers are granted. Cost sharing is required, generally at a minimum of twenty percent of total project cost, although reduced requirements apply to certain academic and nonprofit applicants. Additional restrictions apply to foreign participation, and entities of concern are prohibited from receiving funding. The application process follows a multi step structure beginning with a mandatory concept paper submission. Applicants must submit a concept paper and summary slide, after which they may receive encouragement or discouragement notifications. Encouraged applicants proceed to submit full applications that include a technical volume, budget justification, public summary, business disclosures, biosketches, and supporting documentation. Full applications must also include a technology to market strategy and a letter of intent from a reactor developer partner. Submissions are made through the ARPA E Exchange platform. Applications are evaluated based on technical merit, potential impact, team qualifications, and management approach. Concept papers are reviewed on impact and scientific merit, while full applications include additional criteria such as team capability and project management soundness. ARPA E maintains substantial involvement in project execution, including milestone monitoring and the ability to modify or terminate projects that do not meet performance targets. This ensures alignment with program goals and efficient use of federal funds. Key deadlines include a concept paper submission deadline in late May two thousand twenty six and a full application deadline in early August two thousand twenty six. Selection notifications are anticipated in September two thousand twenty six, with awards expected by December two thousand twenty six. The program does not explicitly state recurrence, indicating it is a one time or non recurring funding opportunity. Applicants are encouraged to direct questions to ARPA E via official email channels and to monitor updates through the Exchange platform for any modifications or clarifications.

Focus on transformative technical impact and strong multidisciplinary teams; align with commercialization and reactor partner requirements; clearly demonstrate scalability and regulatory pathway