68 Nuclear Projects to Share in More Than $56M in Fed Funding

WASHINGTON — The Office of Nuclear Energy, a division of the U.S. Energy Department, has awarded more than $56 million for 68 nuclear energy projects to accelerate research and development and recognize student innovations in the field.

The projects will support nuclear technology development, early career faculty research activities, and student research at 35 U.S. universities and one national laboratory. 

The projects will also help expand access to nuclear energy, moving the nation closer to its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

“These awards are a crucial investment in our nation’s nuclear energy technologies, universities and [the] next generation of researchers and scientists,” said Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Dr. Kathryn Huff in a written statement. 

“The funding will help ensure researchers and educators have the resources they need to keep making a difference,” Huff said.

DOE divided the funding into four focus areas that support nuclear energy research efforts at U.S. universities and national laboratories in 25 states:

Research and Development — ($47.2 million): Supports 46 awards and brings collaborative teams together to solve complex problems to advance nuclear technology and understanding.

Facility Access — ($6.3 million): Provides three research teams access to world-class facilities and unique capabilities to advance nuclear science understanding.

Early Career Faculty — ($3.1 million): Invests in the innovative research and education programs of five outstanding early career university faculty poised to pave new lines of inquiry and advance mission critical research directions in nuclear energy.

Innovations in Nuclear Energy R&D Student Competition — ($43,000): Recognizes and awards 14 published graduate and undergraduate students for innovative nuclear energy research.

Additional information about the winning projects can be found at these links: Nuclear Energy University Program, Integrated Research Projects, Nuclear Science User Facilities and Distinguished Early Career Program websites.

Since 2009, the Office of Nuclear Energy has awarded more than $992 million to promote nuclear energy research and train future nuclear engineers and scientists.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue