WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy today announced two new funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) to support university and college efforts to build or expand their school’s nuclear science and engineering basic research or education capabilities. Under the Nuclear Energy University Programs, the Department will provide approximately $14.5 million to upgrade university-level research reactors and purchase general scientific equipment and instrumentation.

“There is a critical need for a trained workforce as the nation moves toward greater use of nuclear energy to meet our energy needs and reduce carbon pollution,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “To ensure that the United States leads in the global nuclear energy industry, we must support nuclear education and make sure students have the tools they need to learn and lead the field.”

The goal of the infrastructure program is to enable and support the education and training of nuclear scientists, engineers, and policymakers, in graduate and undergraduate study and two-year programs, as well as R&D that is relevant to the Department and the nuclear energy industry in general. The Department will provide one-year awards totaling up to $7 million for university reactor upgrades and equipment and $7.5 million for general scientific equipment and instrumentation.

Two- or four-year U.S. universities and colleges, and trade schools are eligible to apply through www.grants.gov. Applications will be due by the following dates:

General Scientific Infrastructure Support (DE-FOA-0000321) – April 22, 2010
Reactor Upgrades (DE-FOA-0000322) – May 11, 2010

The Department anticipates notifying selected recipients by the following dates:

General Scientific Infrastructure Support (DE-FOA-0000321) – June 8, 2010
Reactor Upgrades (DE-FOA-0000322) – June 22, 2010

Final awards are planned for summer 2010.