WASHINGTON, June 21, 2017 - The Department of Energy (DOE) is earmarking $67 million to help advance innovative nuclear technologies. A total of 85 projects will receive funding in nuclear energy research, facility access, crosscutting technology development, and infrastructure awards.
“Investing in the future of nuclear energy is an important strategic priority for the Energy Department,” said Ed McGinnis, DOE’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy. “Nuclear energy technologies contribute to our economy, our environment, and our national security.”
DOE is awarding over $31 million through its Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) to support 32 university-led nuclear energy research and development projects. Additionally, 19 universities will receive approximately $6 million for research reactor and infrastructure improvements.
The department is also awarding $11 million for three Integrated Research Projects (IRPs), which address highly complex technical issues affecting key mission objectives. IRPs comprise a significant element of DOE’s innovative nuclear research objectives and illustrate the Office of Nuclear Energy’s strategy to pursue research and development solutions.
Additionally, nearly $6 million will be awarded for six research and development projects led by DOE’s national laboratories, industry, and U.S. universities. They will develop advanced sensors and instrumentation, advanced manufacturing methods, and materials for multiple nuclear reactor plant and fuel applications.
Lastly, DOE has 14 projects led by universities, DOE national labs and industry to investigate important nuclear fuel and material applications. DOE will support six of these projects with a total of $2.3 million in research funds, and all 14 projects will be supported by over $10 million in facility access costs and expertise.
Since 2009, DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy has awarded nearly $500 million to 103 U.S. colleges and universities. Visit neup.gov for more information on the awards.
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