Department of Energy Announces more than $18 Million to Strengthen Nuclear Education at U.S. Universities and Colleges
Awards $5 million for 117 scholarships and fellowships, and $13.2 million for infrastructure upgrades for university nuclear programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy today announced approximately $18.2 million to help educate the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers, and to strengthen nuclear research and education capabilities at U.S. universities and colleges.
Through its Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP), the Department is providing $5 million in scholarships and fellowships to 117 U.S. nuclear science and engineering students, and nearly $13.2 million to 39 U.S. universities and colleges to purchase new equipment or to upgrade their research reactors.
“Restarting the U.S. nuclear industry is a critical part of our efforts to build a clean energy economy and create new clean energy jobs,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. “To ensure American leadership in the global nuclear energy industry, we need a skilled workforce for years to come. This investment will give our students the support and resources they need to advance nuclear energy and keep America at the forefront of the nuclear industry.”
The Department is awarding 85 scholarships to undergraduate students and 32 fellowships to graduate students in engineering and science programs related to nuclear energy. Each scholarship student will receive $5,000 to help cover the cost of his or her education for the next year. Fellowship winners will receive $50,000 a year over the next three years to help pay for their graduate studies and research.
In addition, 39 universities and colleges in 27 states will receive approximately $13.2 million in grants to upgrade their research reactors and also purchase new equipment, such as instrumentation or new computers, which will bolster their ability to conduct cutting-edge nuclear energy research.
Since 2008, the Department has provided more than $80 million in funding to U.S. universities and students through NEUP.
A list of awardees can be found at: http://nuclear.gov/pdfFiles/FY2010_NEUP_Awards.pdf. Additional information on the Nuclear Energy University Program is available at www.ne-up.org.
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