Department of Energy Issues Awards to Increase Student Access to University Research Reactors and Training Facilities

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy today awarded more than $590,000 in funding to three universities to enhance nuclear energy instruction. The funding will provide K-12, vocational schools, and colleges access to university research reactors to increase nuclear science, engineering, and technology awareness, and foster early interest in careers in nuclear energy.

"These awards help create an on-ramp for students to discover nuclear science and engineering and get the training they need to one day pursue careers in the nuclear energy sector," said Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Ted Garrish. "This is one of the many ways the Department of Energy is helping to grow the nuclear energy workforce pipeline in support of President Trump's bold and ambitious nuclear energy agenda."

The University Reactor Sharing and Outreach Program funding opportunity encourages universities with existing nuclear research reactors to share resources and facilities with other educational institutions. DOE is awarding three universities up to $200,000 each in funding support.

• University of Wisconsin-Madison, Midwest Reactor Sharing Consortium, will share resources and capabilities of their reactor to increase nuclear science, engineering, and technology awareness through seminars, short courses, and workshops.
• Pennsylvania State University, Reactor Sharing Outreach Program at Penn State Radiation Science and Engineering Center, will expand their established education and outreach program through teacher workshops, and experimental assistance grants.
• North Carolina State University, PULSTAR Reactor Outreach and Sharing for K-12 Organizations, will cultivate workforce development by developing a short course for high school students interested in nuclear energy.

To date, the Office of Nuclear Energy has invested more than $1 billion in total funding to students and faculty advancing nuclear energy research and training the next generation of nuclear energy leaders. Through awards like these, the Office of Nuclear Energy continues to find new ways to help colleges and universities increase access to nuclear energy R&D facilities.

Learn more about the work of the Nuclear Energy University Program and explore funding opportunities HERE.