Funding

This collaborative grant program, funded by the STFC and the NNSA, aims to connect UK and US university researchers working in the areas of nuclear security and non-proliferation.  

The NuSec Science Network and the NNSA ETI, MTV and NSSC consortia will provide financial support for a range of activities including research, engagement, mobility and skills training that involve both UK and US researchers.

Grants to support UK researchers collaborating with US partners is managed by NuSec. Equivalent funding for US researchers to work with colleagues in the UK is managed by the NNSA consortia. 

Nuclear Security topics of mutual interest to NuSec and the NNSA consortia include: -  

• Machine learning and big data challenges  
• Advanced detection methods for nuclear fuel cycle monitoring. 
• Radiation Detection, including detector development, digital pulse processing, and new materials for radiation detectors.  
• Novel imaging techniques, including compact gamma and neutron imaging systems, cosmic ray muon imaging of large objects, and real-time CT imaging methods.  
• Robotics and remote inspection technologies. 
• Additive Manufacturing for non-proliferation technologies.  

A range of grants are available to support UK – US undergraduate, post-doctoral and senior academic collaborative activities. These include:  

• Undergraduate student interns/summer research projects, up to £2,000 
• Travel Grants, covering collaboration visits, up to £5,000,
• Conferences and training events, up to £2,000 
• Short term postdoctoral research projects (PDRA), up to £50,000 for projects of up to 6 months. FEC costs can now also include Overheads. This is a revision to our previous PDRA funding awards and is now applicable to all PDRA applications received from 7^th October 2022.

All grant awards will be made at 80% of the total project costs, up to the amounts stated above.

All award activities must be completed no later than 31^st October 2023, to comply with the NuSec Network final end-date stipulated by the STFC.

We welcome applications from UK researchers at universities and government laboratories.  

Please refer to the Updated Collaboration Grant Guidance Notes and FAQs for further information about the application process and eligibility.  NB All applications must include genuine and realistic collaborative research activities and deliverables with an active member of the NNSA  ETI, MTV and NSSC consortia.

To apply please download the updated application form. 

Please e mail your completed application form and supporting documentation to info@nusec.uk

Application deadlines for 2023 applications are: 

• 1st January 2023 
• 1st April 2023 
• 1st July 2023  

For details of our previous awards to date please visit this page. 

Please email info@nusec.uk  for further information.