WEST LAFAYETTE, IND. – The Department of Energy (DOE) today awarded Purdue University a $158,000 grant to support nuclear energy technology education and infrastructure.

“This year’s grants continue an upward trend in support of education that has been a hallmark of this administration,” Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham said. “The investment we make today in the education of a new generation of nuclear engineers and scientists will pay tremendous dividends in the future of this country.”

The breakdown of the grant follows:

• Nuclear Engineering Education Research, Matching grant and Reactor Sharing

The 47 Nuclear Engineering Education Research grants will be awarded to 28 U.S. universities which will allow professors and students to conduct innovative and state-of-the-art nuclear engineering research. Of the total $5 million to be awarded, approximately $2.7 million is for 26 new awards in FY 2004 and $2.3 million for 21 continuing awards from prior years.

The Department of Energy will award 26 matching grants to universities throughout the country, leveraging public-private contributions through a 50-50 cost-share arrangement that allows funds to be directed to the specific needs of an institution's school of nuclear engineering. Twenty reactor instrumentation upgrade grants and 21 reactor sharing grants will permit equipment improvements at the reactors and better use of the reactors as educational facilities, for purchase of new equipment, support for students, faculty and research.

This award is one of $22 million in awards to 37 universities nationwide to support the development of a new generation of technical specialists that will serve the Nation’s requirements in areas such as energy, medicine, scientific research, national defense, nonproliferation and environmental protection.

Additional information on this and other DOE nuclear science and engineering educational initiatives that are sponsored by the department’s Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology’s University Reactor Infrastructure and Education Assistance Program is available at www.nuclear.gov.

Media contacts:  Hope Williams, 202/586-5806

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