The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced over $59 million in funding to 25 US colleges and universities, two national laboratories and one industry organization to support nuclear energy research and development. This funding will also provide access to world-class research facilities. This brings DOE's total funding to advance nuclear energy research at America's colleges and universities to over $1 billion, involving nearly a decade of investment.
Since 2009, DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy has supported groundbreaking research in nuclear technology, including advanced reactor concepts, accident-tolerant fuels, and structural materials for nuclear reactors. These awards are essential for training the next generation of leaders in nuclear power and furthering research that aligns with President Biden's goal of achieving zero emissions by 2050.
Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, Dr. Katherine Huff, highlighted the significant milestone of surpassing $1 billion in funding. This investment is critical to developing a skilled workforce that can help triple nuclear power capacity by 2050 and support the president's climate goals. These awards mark a significant step towards realizing a clean energy future.
The latest round of awards supported a total of 50 projects in various fields related to nuclear energy research and development. These projects aim to address key challenges and advance innovation in the nuclear power industry.