Aug. 9, 2011

The Department of Energy has awarded up to $39 million in research grants, including roughly $3.5 million for the University of Michigan, that are aimed at developing cutting-edge nuclear energy technologies and training and educating the next generation of leaders in the U.S. nuclear industry. Speaking at the U.S. Department of Energy’s annual Nuclear Energy University Programs (NEUP) workshop in Chicago, Assistant Secretary Peter Lyons said the grants would support up to 51 projects at colleges and universities around the country.

Through NEUP, the Department is working to leverage the research and development capabilities of American universities and colleges to enhance U.S. leadership in the global nuclear energy industry. NEUP builds upon the Obama Administration’s efforts to ensure that nuclear power is a part of our clean energy mix. Through programs like NEUP, the Department is taking action to restart the nuclear industry as part of a broad approach to create new clean energy jobs and cut carbon pollution.

“The Obama Administration continues to believe that nuclear energy has an important role to play as America moves to a clean energy future,” said Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. “As part of our commitment to restarting the American nuclear industry and creating thousands of new jobs and export opportunities in the process, we are investing in cutting-edge nuclear energy research projects that can develop the technologies required to advance our domestic nuclear industry and maintain global leadership in the field.”

Read the complete Department of Energy announcement and a list of the university research projects.