---
title: "HALEU Deconversion Programme - PhD Call for Proposal"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-b9f77034-2870-4e20-97be-69458544999e"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-b9f77034-2870-4e20-97be-69458544999e"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b9f77034-2870-4e20-97be-69458544999e.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b9f77034-2870-4e20-97be-69458544999e.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY"
published: "2026-03-02"
---

# HALEU Deconversion Programme - PhD Call for Proposal

Buyer: UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-b9f77034-2870-4e20-97be-69458544999e

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-b9f77034-2870-4e20-97be-69458544999e)  
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## Summary

The United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) has issued a call for proposals titled "HALEU Deconversion Programme - PhD Call for Proposal" under the industry category of Research and Experimental Development Services. The procurement process is currently in the tender stage, with applications invited from UK universities to commence a PhD project by October 2026. This initiative supports the UK’s ambition to establish a secure supply of High-Assay Low Enriched Uranium. Interested parties must submit their applications by 27th March 2026. A clarification call hosted via Microsoft Teams aims to ensure all prospective bidders have a comprehensive understanding of the requirements. The project spans from October 2026 until March 2030, attracting global interest including British Overseas Territories, Europe, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, and the UK.

This tender provides substantial opportunities for UK universities to contribute to pivotal scientific advancement in the nuclear sector. Institutions focused on research and development, particularly those with doctoral programmes, are excellently positioned to compete. Given the open procurement method, it's an ideal opportunity for institutions with capacity in nuclear research, possibly fostering collaborative ventures in developing innovative solutions for uranium supply resilience. Universities seeking to enhance their research profiles and align with national strategic objectives in the energy sector would find this an advantageous engagement.

## Notice

The United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) is inviting applications from UK Universities, to funding for a PhD project, to begin no later that October 2026. This project shall support the UK's ambition to establish a secure and resilient supply of High-Assay Low Enriched Uranium. UKNNL are particularly interested in those applications which are Supported by a Doctoral Focal Award. As the scope is R&D, the procurement is being undertaken under the Research and Development exemption under the Procurement Act 2023 ( Schedule 2). UKNNL intends to host a mid-tender clarification call via Microsoft Teams to provide further background on the requirement and address any questions from bidders and ensure a common understanding of the Call for Proposal. If you are interested in joining this call please visit the ticketing website to register your place: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/national-nuclear-laboratory/t-oeeenyx

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c4866511-6939-419b-bbb2-c9a9a538aef8 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 2 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 27 Mar 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 30 Sep 2026 - 29 Mar 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY |
| Locality | WARRINGTON |
| Post town | Warrington |
| Postcode | WA3 6AE |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD6 Cheshire |
| ITL 3 | TLD61 Warrington |
| Local authority | Warrington |
| Electoral ward | Birchwood |
| Westminster constituency | Warrington North |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73100000 - Research and experimental development services

## Release History

- 2 Mar 2026 at 15:00 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c4866511-6939-419b-bbb2-c9a9a538aef8

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c4866511-6939-419b-bbb2-c9a9a538aef8
  2nd March 2026 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder
- https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=103336&B=NNL
  Additional data
- https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/124934
  User / Company

## Notice URLs

- https://www.nnl.co.uk/
- https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/national-nuclear-laboratory/t-oeeenyx

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-b9f77034-2870-4e20-97be-69458544999e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b9f77034-2870-4e20-97be-69458544999e.json.