The Energy Department announced today more than $60 million in nuclear energy research and infrastructure enhancement awards. 68 projects were selected from across the country based on their potential to create scientific breakthroughs that both help strengthen the nation’s energy security and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

Through the Nuclear Energy University Programs (NEUP), the Department of Energy (DOE) is awarding approximately $31 million for 43 university-led nuclear energy research and development projects, approximately $13 million for 4 Integrated Research Projects, and 9 infrastructure support awards.

DOE is also awarding over $8.5 million to support 10 nuclear energy research and development projects through the Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) program. Additionally, NEET is awarding 2 grants totaling over $1 million to support infrastructure improvements at Department of Energy national laboratories to further reactor and instrumentation research. 

For the first time, the Department has fully integrated its competitive nuclear energy research award process with its competitive process for providing no-cost access to state-of-the-art experimental neutron and ion irradiation testing, post-irradiation examination facilities, synchrotron beamline capabilities, and technical assistance for design and analysis of experiments via its Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) [formerly Advanced Test Reactor National Scientific User Facility]. As a result, the Department has competitively selected and will fully fund the cost of access to NSUF capabilities to support three university-led and one national laboratory-led projects that will investigate important nuclear fuel and material applications. The value of the unique facilities access announced today exceeds $3 million.

NEUP R&D Awards

NEET Awards (R&D and Infrastructure)

Infrastructure Awards

IRP Awards

NSUF Awards