Opportunity Information: Apply for HDTRA1 19 S 0004 IIRM URA
The Interaction of Ionizing Radiation with Matter University Research Alliance (IIRM-URA) is a Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) that launches a new university-centered way of running part of DTRA's Basic Research Program. It is one of three related BAAs intended to shift selected basic research areas into a University Research Alliance (URA) structure, while explicitly noting that DTRA's Chem Bio Program is not part of this change. In practical terms, the opportunity is designed to fund a coordinated, multi-organization research alliance led by a US institution of higher education, focused on fundamental science and technology questions tied to how ionizing radiation interacts with matter, an area with clear implications for national security and threat reduction.
The funding instrument anticipated under this opportunity is a cooperative agreement, meaning DTRA expects to have substantial involvement during the performance of the work rather than providing a hands-off grant. The cooperative agreement would be issued under the federal assistance authority referenced at 31 U.S.C. 6305. The applicant university serves as the lead organization for the Alliance, coordinating research activities across partner organizations. While the eligibility field is listed as "unrestricted" in the opportunity metadata, the description makes clear that the lead award is intended for a US institution of higher education, and applicants are directed to the BAA's eligibility section for the complete requirements and any additional constraints.
The competition is structured as a two-phase process intended to down-select teams in an orderly way. Phase I consists of submitting a pre-proposal package that DTRA will evaluate. Only applicants whose Phase I submissions are reviewed favorably will be invited to submit a full proposal under Phase II. This invitation-only Phase II step is important: submitting a Phase I pre-proposal does not automatically guarantee the ability to submit a Phase II proposal unless DTRA issues an invitation based on the Phase I evaluation results.
Before Phase I, the BAA requires a Letter of Intent (LoI). The LoI is described as mandatory for eligibility to submit a Phase I package, but it is also explicitly non-binding and is not scored or evaluated as part of the Phase I or Phase II reviews. Its main purpose is administrative: it helps DTRA estimate how many submissions to expect, plan reviewer workload, and prepare the review process. In the timeline given in the announcement, the LoI deadline is 21 June 2019 and the Phase I pre-proposal deadline is 17 July 2019.
The program emphasizes building alliances and encourages inclusion of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs), as defined in relevant federal statute (noted as 10 U.S.C. 2362(e) in the announcement text). This encouragement signals that DTRA is looking for broad, collaborative teams that can bring complementary capabilities and also expand participation across institutions that have been historically underrepresented in federal R&D leadership roles.
From the posted opportunity data, the issuing agency is DTRA, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary, and it falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category, with CFDA number 12.351. The opportunity record lists an original closing date of 2020-09-30, though the narrative also includes the earlier, specific deadlines tied to the LoI and Phase I pre-proposal for the initial round. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided data, which typically means prospective applicants need to consult the full BAA text for anticipated funding levels, period of performance, and any limits or expectations about the scale of the alliance effort.
Overall, the IIRM-URA opportunity is essentially a gateway into a structured, alliance-based basic research program managed through a cooperative agreement, with a required but non-evaluative LoI, a competitive Phase I pre-proposal, and an invitation-only Phase II full proposal stage. The key strategic takeaway for applicants is that success depends not just on a strong technical concept related to ionizing radiation interactions with matter, but also on assembling a credible university-led alliance with the depth, coordination plan, and institutional participation DTRA is signaling it wants to support.Apply for HDTRA1 19 S 0004 IIRM URA
- The Defense Threat Reduction Agency in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Interaction of Ionizing Radiation with Matter University Research Alliance (IIRM-URA)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.351.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2019-05-30.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-09-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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FAQs: Interaction of Ionizing Radiation with Matter University Research Alliance (IIRM-URA)
What is the IIRM-URA opportunity?
The Interaction of Ionizing Radiation with Matter University Research Alliance (IIRM-URA) is a Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). It launches a university-centered approach for running part of DTRA's Basic Research Program by organizing work through a coordinated University Research Alliance (URA) structure focused on fundamental research into how ionizing radiation interacts with matter.
Who is the issuing agency?
The issuing agency is the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).
What research focus does this BAA support?
The alliance is expected to focus on fundamental science and technology questions tied to the interaction of ionizing radiation with matter. The opportunity notes that this area has clear implications for national security and threat reduction.
How does this opportunity fit into DTRA's broader basic research approach?
IIRM-URA is described as one of three related BAAs intended to shift selected basic research areas into a University Research Alliance (URA) structure. The announcement also explicitly notes that DTRA's Chem Bio Program is not part of this change.
What type of funding instrument is expected?
The anticipated funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This indicates DTRA expects to have substantial involvement in the performance of the work rather than providing a hands-off grant.
What does "cooperative agreement" mean for the project?
Based on the description provided, a cooperative agreement means DTRA expects to be substantially involved during the period of performance. The cooperative agreement would be issued under the federal assistance authority referenced at 31 U.S.C. 6305.
Who is intended to lead the University Research Alliance?
The lead organization is intended to be a US institution of higher education. The lead applicant university would coordinate research activities across partner organizations within the Alliance.
Is eligibility unrestricted?
The opportunity metadata lists eligibility as "unrestricted," but the description clarifies that the lead award is intended for a US institution of higher education. Applicants are directed to the BAA's eligibility section for complete requirements and any additional constraints.
Can the Alliance include multiple organizations?
Yes. The opportunity is designed to fund a coordinated, multi-organization research alliance led by a US institution of higher education, with the lead coordinating research activities across partner organizations.
Does DTRA encourage participation from specific types of institutions?
Yes. The program emphasizes building alliances and encourages inclusion of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs), as defined in relevant federal statute (noted as 10 U.S.C. 2362(e) in the announcement text).
How is the competition structured?
The competition uses a two-phase process designed to down-select teams. Phase I requires a pre-proposal package that DTRA evaluates. Only applicants with favorably reviewed Phase I submissions will be invited to submit a full proposal in Phase II.
Is Phase II open to everyone who submits a Phase I pre-proposal?
No. Phase II is invitation-only. Submitting a Phase I pre-proposal does not guarantee the ability to submit a Phase II full proposal unless DTRA issues an invitation based on the Phase I evaluation results.
Is a Letter of Intent (LoI) required?
Yes. The BAA requires a Letter of Intent (LoI) before Phase I. The LoI is described as mandatory for eligibility to submit a Phase I pre-proposal package.
Is the Letter of Intent binding?
No. The LoI is explicitly described as non-binding.
Is the Letter of Intent scored or evaluated?
No. The LoI is not scored and is not evaluated as part of the Phase I or Phase II reviews.
Why does DTRA require a Letter of Intent if it is not evaluated?
The LoI is primarily administrative. It helps DTRA estimate submission volume, plan reviewer workload, and prepare the review process.
What are the key deadlines mentioned for the initial round?
The timeline included in the announcement states an LoI deadline of 21 June 2019 and a Phase I pre-proposal deadline of 17 July 2019.
What closing date is listed in the opportunity record?
The posted opportunity data lists an original closing date of 2020-09-30, even though the narrative also includes earlier, specific deadlines for the LoI and Phase I pre-proposal for the initial round.
What is the opportunity category and activity area?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 12.351.
Are the award ceiling and number of awards provided?
No. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided data. The announcement indicates applicants may need to consult the full BAA text for anticipated funding levels, period of performance, and any limits or expectations regarding the scale of the alliance effort.
What is the main strategic takeaway for applicants based on the description?
The description emphasizes that success depends on more than a strong technical concept related to ionizing radiation interactions with matter. It also depends on assembling a credible university-led alliance with depth, a clear coordination plan, and the kind of institutional participation DTRA signals it wants to support.
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