WASHINGTON, DC – Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham today announced 35 research awards to U.S. universities totaling $21 million over three years to engage students and professors in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) major nuclear energy research and development programs, including the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative, the Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems Initiative and the Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative.

The Energy Department has restructured its Nuclear Energy Research Initiative to provide U.S. universities with the opportunity to participate directly in the agency’s priority efforts to develop the nuclear technologies that could pave the way to an economy that relies less on imported fossil fuels and will allow the Nation to meet its long-term environmental goals. The awards announced today are the first to benefit from this new approach to peer-reviewed nuclear technology research and development.

“This vitally important research will benefit both our advanced technology development efforts and our academic system to have America’s best and brightest students and professors work with us to conduct this challenging research,” Secretary Abraham said. “The awards we announce today will bring us a step closer to a better, more secure energy future and also help develop the scientists and engineers that will keep the United States at the forefront of technology well into the future.”

The 35 projects announced today were selected in a rigorous peer review of 160 proposals from universities all over the United States. The selected projects will be conducted at 25 U.S. universities in 22 different states. Many of the participants represent institutions that have not participated in DOE nuclear technology programs in recent years. 

Most of the awards are for a three year period. The total funding for the awards over the three year period ranges from $299,000 to $914,000. There is also one award with a duration of approximately one year; this award is for $116,000.   The research projects and additional information on other DOE nuclear science and engineering educational initiatives that are sponsored by the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology are available at www.nuclear.gov.

DOE will now enter into negotiations with the 25 universities selected to reach final cooperative agreement terms including award dates.

Media contact:  Hope Williams, 202/586-5806

- DOE -

Release No. R-04-376