DRAFT-Interaction of Ionizing Radiation with Matter University Research Alliance (IIRM-URA) | DRAFT HDTRA1 19 S 0004 IIRM URA

Opportunity Information: Apply for DRAFT HDTRA1 19 S 0004 IIRM URA

The DRAFT-Interaction of Ionizing Radiation with Matter University Research Alliance (IIRM-URA) is a Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) draft funding notice describing a planned university research alliance opportunity focused on science and technology and other research and development related to how ionizing radiation interacts with matter. This posting is explicitly labeled as a draft solicitation, meaning applications are not being accepted yet and a final version is expected to be released later. The draft is primarily intended to inform the research community about DTRA's direction and to collect feedback before the formal solicitation is issued.

A central feature of this draft announcement is DTRA's plan to transition its Basic Research investments to an "Alliance model" and to use a set of Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) as the mechanism for organizing and funding the work. The IIRM-URA corresponds to draft BAA number HDTRA1-19-S-0004, and it is presented alongside two other draft BAAs (HDTRA1-19-S-0002 and HDTRA1-19-S-0003) that were posted on February 6, 2019. The funding instrument listed is a cooperative agreement, which typically signals substantial involvement by the federal sponsor during the project period (for example, coordination, technical engagement, or shared planning), rather than a more hands-off grant structure.

Because the draft itself is not open for submissions, the most actionable component is the DTRA-hosted "University Day" scheduled for Friday, March 22, 2019 in Lorton, Virginia. This event is framed as the main avenue for DTRA to announce details about the alliance transition, walk through the draft BAAs, answer technical and administrative questions, and gather community input. It is also positioned as a networking opportunity, with DTRA encouraging in-person participation when possible while still offering a virtual attendance option for those who cannot travel.

Attendance requires registration, and DTRA notes that in-person attendance may be capped based on factors such as room capacity, diversity of universities, and coverage across BAAs and research areas. To request participation, interested individuals are instructed to email DTRA-URA-Program@mail.mil by February 15, 2019 and provide: name; institutional affiliation (including university and department/school); email address; whether they allow their contact information to be shared with other registrants for networking; which BAA/research area/focus area they are interested in; whether they prefer in-person or web-based participation; and confirmation of U.S. Person status (U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident). Permanent residents are asked to submit a password-protected scan of their permanent resident card (front and back) that includes the USCIS number, with the password sent separately. DTRA indicates registration confirmation would be sent around February 21, 2019 with logistics details or virtual connection information.

There is an access restriction for the physical event location: in-person attendance is limited to U.S. Persons due to facility security and timelines, although DTRA emphasizes that this limitation does not apply to virtual attendance and does not determine eligibility to participate in the eventual BAA competition. Late registration requests (after February 15) may be considered only if space and security constraints allow. DTRA also plans, as much as possible, to document the University Day and publish materials such as briefings and Q-and-A with the final BAAs, which can be important for teams that cannot attend.

The agenda described includes brief presentations and availability of key staff to answer questions, including program leadership, the Grants Officer, and program managers. The notice also mentions breakout sessions led by program managers for each of the three draft BAAs, suggesting attendees will be able to get more focused discussion tied to specific research areas and administrative expectations. Questions can be emailed in advance to the same program mailbox by March 1, 2019, with the caveat that DTRA may choose to address them at University Day.

The draft highlights outreach and inclusion: participation from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) is encouraged. It also notes a limited opportunity for HBCUs and MIs to request booth space, subject to availability, by contacting the program email as early as possible. One practical restriction is included for current DTRA Basic Research awardees: existing DTRA travel funds may not be used to attend University Day.

From the structured opportunity data, the posting is categorized as a discretionary opportunity under CFDA 12.351, with the agency listed as DTRA. The eligible applicants field is shown as "Unrestricted," but the notice points readers to Section 3, "Eligibility Information," of the eventual BAA for complete requirements. The draft record shows an award ceiling of 0 and no expected awards, which aligns with the fact that this is not a live competition and is not yet accepting applications. The original closing date shown as March 22, 2019 corresponds to the University Day date rather than an application deadline for proposal submission.

• The Defense Threat Reduction Agency in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DRAFT-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 2019-02-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-03-22. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

Apply for DRAFT HDTRA1 19 S 0004 IIRM URA

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