Thursday, August 30, 2007

DOE Awards Nuclear Power Research Funding To Colleges

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $3.8 Million in funding to 38 U.S. Universities for advancing nuclear power research. DOE awarded $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.

The grants are designed to increase research expertise and improve infrastructure at America's universities. Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Dennis Spurgeon runs the DOE's GNEP. 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.

The universities receiving awards include:

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 (Historically Black Colleges in bold)

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