University Nuclear Energy Research Gets $17 Million Grant

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy announced $17 million in research grants will be awarded to 23 university-led teams aimed at strengthening the research and development capabilities of American universities and colleges to develop the next generation of nuclear energy technologies and upgrade research reactors across the country.

The grants, supported through the Department’s Nuclear Energy University program, are part of its mission to restart the U.S. nuclear industry as part of a broad approach to create new clean energy jobs and cut carbon pollution.

A statement of the department said the 23 awards build upon the Obama administration’s efforts to enhance U.S. leadership in the global nuclear energy industry and ensure that nuclear power is a part of the country’s clean energy portfolio.

The program aims to help develop cutting-edge nuclear energy technologies, as well as train and educate the next generation of leaders in the U.S. nuclear industry.

“These projects are critical to research aimed at advancing our domestic nuclear industry and maintaining global leadership in the field,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “Through these investments we are also training and educating the next generation of leaders in the U.S. nuclear industry to help build a strong new energy economy.”

The projects selected for negotiation of award grant $12 million to Integrated Research projects, and $5.7 million to University Research Infrastructure improvements.

The integrated research project funds will go towards developing a new generation of highly efficient reactors and new methods to store used fuel — two key issues the Department is tackling under the research field, according to the statement.

Funded over three-years, integrated research projects are large, multi-year projects led by teams of U.S. universities working to develop cross-cutting breakthroughs across the U.S. nuclear energy industry and aim to engage the university community on larger research projects designed to benefit from the involvement of multiple universities and industry, utility and national laboratory partners.

The university infrastructure improvement funds will go towards general equipment and infrastructure, minor reactor upgrades and major reactor upgrades.

The maximum amount awarded for a general equipment award is $300,000. Individual universities can received up to $1.5 million for a major research reactor upgrade and up to $200,000 for a minor upgrade.