The Energy Department plans to award nearly $67 million in funds to 85 projects as part of efforts to advance nuclear energy research and technology development.
DOE said Wednesday the funds will support research efforts under the department’s Nuclear Energy University Program, Nuclear Science User Facilities and Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies programs.
The department will award more than $31 million to 32 university-led nuclear energy research and development projects under NEUP, which supports the development of technologies for civil nuclear capabilities.
Nineteen universities will also receive $6 million in grants to provide safety, performance and student education-related upgrades to some of the nation’s 25 university research reactors as well as optimize university research and training infrastructure.
DOE will issue a total of $11 million to three integrated research projects that aim to address technical issues facing key mission objectives of the office of nuclear energy.
IRPs are three-year initiatives carried out by university-led consortiums that include multiple universities, industrial and international research entities and DOE national laboratories.
The department will also award $6 million to six research and development initiatives led by national laboratories, industry and universities to explore ways to address crosscutting nuclear energy challenges.
Fourteen projects of national laboratory, university and industry teams will get $10 million in facility access costs and expertise to study nuclear fuel and material applications.
Six of the 14 projects will be given a total of $2.3 million in research funds, according to DOE.
Nuclear technology developers will also gain access to research tools and assistance related to the goals and objectives of the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear initiative.
