Fiscal Year 2026 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research

The Office of Nuclear Energy’s (NE) program purpose is to advance nuclear energy science and technology to meet U.S. energy, environmental and economic needs. NE enables innovation, supports unique research infrastructure, and solves crosscutting challenges facing the nuclear energy sector through research, development and demonstration. NE has identified the following goals to address challenges in the nuclear energy sector, help realize the potential of advanced technology, and leverage the unique role of the government in spurring innovation:

• Enable continued operation of existing U.S. nuclear reactors.

• Enable deployment of advanced nuclear reactors.

• Develop advanced nuclear fuel cycles.

• Maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear energy technology.

• Enable a high-performing organization.

Investing in the next generation of nuclear energy leaders and advancing university-led nuclear innovation is vital to fulfilling NE's mission, which is primarily accomplished through NE’s Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP). NEUP was established in 2009 to consolidate NE’s university support and enable the integration of university research within NE’s technical programs. Through various competitive award opportunities, the program engages with U.S. universities and colleges to conduct research and development (R&D), enhance infrastructure, and support student education, thereby contributing to the development of a world-class nuclear energy and workforce capability. Since its inception, NE has awarded more than $1 billion to U.S. Institutions of Higher Education through the NEUP program to continue American energy leadership and to train the next generation of nuclear engineers, scientists and policymakers.

The NEUP overarching goal is to support outstanding, cutting-edge, and innovative research at U.S. colleges and universities through the following:

• Administering NEUP R&D awards to support NE’s goal of integrating R&D at universities, national laboratories, and industry to revitalize nuclear education and support NE’s R&D program objectives;

• Attracting the brightest students to the nuclear professions and supporting the nation’s intellectual capital in nuclear energy-related engineering and relevant nuclear science, such as health physics, nuclear materials science, radiochemistry, and applied nuclear physics through broad outreach, scholarships, and fellowships awards; and

• Improving relevant college and university infrastructure for conducting nuclear energy-related R&D and educating students through infrastructure awards.