NRC COMPLETES FY11 EDUCATION GRANT AWARDS 

With the issuance this week of $2.8 million in grants to Minority Serving Institutions (MSI),

the NRC has completed the awarding of approximately $12.4 million in grants to 91 higher 

education institutions for the 2011 fiscal year.

“This program has introduced thousands of students to the nuclear field and helps to

prepare a workforce for the future,” said Bill Borchardt, the NRC’s Executive Director for 

Operations. “As a safety regulator, encouraging the next generation to learn nuclear issues is an 

important cornerstone in ensuring the availability of expertise to effectively carry out safety and 

security mission in coming years.”

The MSI grants were awarded for projects and activities that include nuclear, science, 

technology and mathematic disciplines, research and development projects, human capital 

development, leadership and mentoring activities, education training programs and various types of 

assistance to 26 programs at 53 different institutions. MSIs include the Historically Black Colleges 

and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions and the Tribal Colleges and Universities located in 

24 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

Previously, an additional $9.6 million was awarded for faculty ($5.0M) and curriculum 

development ($4.6M) assisting another 44 programs at 38 different institutions, located in 28 states 

and the District of Columbia. These grants were awarded for nuclear education, curricula and 

faculty development.

Curriculum development grants programs covered the following disciplines: nuclear 

engineering, radiochemistry and radiobiology, health physics, materials and mechanical 

engineering, reliability and risk analysis, electrical engineering, safeguards and security, human

factors, human reliability and fire protection engineering.

Grant proposals were reviewed against specific criteria by a panel comprised of NRC staff 

and qualified outside reviewers. The panel composition was diverse with most reviewers having 

both experience reviewing proposals for government agencies and advanced credentials in one of 

the five discipline areas identified in the solicitation. Each panelist had to certify that they did not 

have any conflicts of interest for the proposals they evaluated.

NRC NEWS

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200

Washington, D.C. 20555-0001

E-mail: opa.resource@nrc.gov Site: www.nrc.gov

Blog: http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov

No. 11-185 October 3, 2011
The contacts for more information on these grants are as follows: administrative questions

contact: Sheila Bumpass, 301-492-3484 or Michael Mills 301-492-3621, Division of Contracts; 

technical questions contact Nancy Hebron-Israel 301-492-2231, or Tanya Parwani-Jaimes, 301-492-

2308, Office of Human Resources; and Tuwanda Smith, Esq., 301-415-7394, Office of Small 

Business and Civil Rights.

The complete list of grants is posted on the NRC's website along with more information 

about grant opportunities. In addition, a copy of the NRC Grant Award documents is available 

publicly in the NRC Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS). Help in 

using ADAMS is available from the NRC Public Document Room at 301- 415-4737 or 

800- 397-4209.

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