The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded $65 million for various nuclear energy research, crosscutting technology development, facility access, and infrastructure projects.
The awards fall under DOE’s nuclear energy programs called the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP), the Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET), and the Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF)
Nuclear Energy University Program received $55 Million
The NEUP seeks to maintain US leadership in nuclear research across the country by providing top science and engineering faculty and their students with opportunities to develop innovative technologies and solutions for civil nuclear capabilities.
$38.6 million will go to support 57 university-led nuclear energy research and development projects in 24 states.
$5.7 million will go to 21 university-led projects for research on reactor and infrastructure improvements, providing important safety, performance, and student education-related upgrades to a portion of the nation’s 25 university research reactors, as well as enhancing university research and training infrastructure.
$10.8 million will go to three Integrated Research Projects (IRPs), which address well-defined but highly complex technical issues impacting key Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) mission objectives.
Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) Crosscutting Research Projects received $5 Million
Five research and development projects will conduct research to address crosscutting nuclear energy challenges that will help to develop advanced sensors and instrumentation and advanced manufacturing methods for multiple nuclear reactor plant and fuel applications.
Nuclear Science User Facilities received $5 Million
One industry, three DOE National Laboratory, and three university-led projects will investigate important nuclear fuel and material applications. Supporting facility access costs and expertise for experimental neutron and ion irradiation testing, post-irradiation examination facilities, synchrotron beamline capabilities, and technical assistance for design and analysis of experiments.
