Department of Energy Awards $3.8 Million in Funding to 38 U.S. Universities for Nuclear Research Infrastructure

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today strengthened its commitment to advancing nuclear power by awarding $100,000 to 38 universities to enhance nuclear research and development (R&D) under President Bush’s Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP).

WASHINGTON, DC ”“ The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today strengthened its commitment to advancing nuclear power by awarding $100,000 to 38 universities to enhance nuclear research and development (R&D) under President Bush’s Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP). The one-time GNEP University Readiness awards total $3.8 million in funding and will include upgrading laboratories; improving reactor facilities; purchasing state-of-the-art equipment; providing increased faculty support and further enhancing nuclear-related curricula. GNEP is part of a President Bush’s Advanced Energy Initiative and aims to close the nuclear fuel cycle by reducing proliferation risks, reducing waste and further increasing energy security around the world.


“Increasing research expertise and bolstering infrastructure at America’s universities will position our scientists and engineers to support the expansion of clean and economical nuclear power in the United States as well as to encourage the development of advanced fuel cycle technologies,” Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Dennis Spurgeon said. “Supporting our educational institutions is essential to ensure that the United States continues to lead the world in development of safe and secure nuclear technology.”


The GNEP University Readiness awards will directly enable a university to compete in future GNEP R&D solicitations and contribute to a new generation of engineers and scientists necessary for expanding nuclear power - a safe, reliable source of emissions-free energy. These GNEP University Readiness awards follow the Department’s funding opportunity announcement in March and DOE’s thorough review of all applications since the June deadline.


This funding is part of $15.2 million that DOE has awarded to universities that provide nuclear energy programs in fiscal year 2007. These awards also support President Bush’s American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) announced in 2006, which commits to doubling the federal commitment to research programs in the physical sciences over the next 10 years. ACI aims to increase investments in the next generation of scientists, engineers and educators to keep America at the forefront of science and innovation.


The universities receiving awards include:


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Clemson University


Colorado School of Mines


Cornell University


Georgia Tech


Idaho State University


Kansas State University


Livingstone College


Massachusetts Institute of Technology


North Carolina State University


Ohio State University


Oregon State University


Pennsylvania State University


Prairie View A&M University


Purdue University


Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute


Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center


South Carolina State University


Texas A&M University-Kingsville


Texas Engineering Experiment Station


University of California, Berkeley


University of Cincinnati


University of Florida


University of Idaho


University of Illinois


University of Maryland


University of Massachusetts Lowell


University of Michigan


University of Missouri, Columbia


University of Missouri, Rolla


University of Nevada Las Vegas


University of New Mexico


University of Pittsburgh


University of South Carolina


University of Tennessee


University of Texas at Austin


University of Utah


University of Wisconsin


Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University


Read additional information on this announcement, GNEP and nuclear R&D programs.


Media contact(s):


Angela Hill, (202) 586-4940