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WASHINGTON, DC -- Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham today announced funding for 13 new research projects under the Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (NERI). The funding will be used to pursue Generation IV nuclear energy systems, higher performance fuels, advanced power conversion systems, proliferation-resistant nuclear reactor and fuel systems, and fundamental nuclear science research. Researchers are from eight universities, eight national laboratories, eight private sector organizations, and include collaborators from six overseas research organizations.

Abraham also announced 19 new grants awarded to 14 universities for nuclear engineering research under the department’s Nuclear Engineering Education Research (NEER) initiative. This year’s projects include developing radioactive stents to prevent blockage of arteries (restenosis) following angioplasty, on-line monitoring and diagnostics for nuclear plant equipment and developing computational models to evaluate accelerator-driven systems.

These programs support the goal of making nuclear power a key element of our Nation’s energy policy, said Secretary Abraham. They are an investment in our energy future and in educating and preparing the next generation of nuclear engineers and scientists for tomorrow’s energy, medical, and environmental challenges.

The NERI program supports innovative, investigator-initiated research and development to advance next generation nuclear technologies. The department received 145 proposals and subjected each to a rigorous peer review, selecting 13 for funding this year. In addition to this new research, there are 54 projects currently underway; two NERI projects have been successfully completed -- modular construction techniques for nuclear plants and development of temperature-resistant fuel cladding. This year’s NERI awards range from approximately $200,000 to $900,000 each for the first year of funding and could total $16.6 million over three years.

NEER sponsors investigator-initiated nuclear engineering research that is vital to attracting, educating and training the nation’s next generation nuclear scientists and engineers, and strengthening the Nation’s nuclear science and technology education infrastructure. This year’s projects were selected through a peer review process from 110 proposals received. Since the program resumed in 1998, DOE has funded over 70 NEER projects at U.S. universities. This year’s NEER awards range from about $60,000 to $160,000 for work authorized in the first year of funding and could total $5 million over three years.

For further information on the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology's research and development initiatives, including abstracts on the NERI and NEER projects, visit the web site at www.nuclear.gov.

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