42 USC 16274 - Nuclear science and engineering support

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 17, 2024

§ 16274.

Nuclear science and engineering support

(a)

University nuclear science and engineering support

(1)

In general

(2)

Requirements

In carrying out the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall—

(A)

conduct a graduate and undergraduate fellowship program to attract new and talented students, which may include fellowships for students to spend time at National Laboratories in the areas of nuclear science, engineering, and health physics with a member of the National Laboratory staff acting as a mentor;

(B)

conduct a junior faculty research initiation grant program to assist universities in recruiting and retaining new faculty in the nuclear sciences and engineering by awarding grants to junior faculty for research on issues related to nuclear energy engineering and science;

(C)

support fundamental nuclear sciences, engineering, and health physics research through a nuclear engineering education and research program;

(D)

promote collaborations, partnerships, and knowledge sharing between institutions of higher education, National Laboratories, other Federal agencies, industry, and associated labor unions; and

(E)

support communication and outreach related to nuclear science, engineering, and health physics.

(3)

University-National Laboratory interactions

The Secretary shall conduct—

(A)

a fellowship program for professors at universities to spend sabbaticals at National Laboratories in the areas of nuclear science and technology; and

(B)

a visiting scientist program in which National Laboratory staff can spend time in academic nuclear science and engineering departments.

(4)

Strengthening university research and training reactors and associated infrastructure

(A)

In general.—

In carrying out the program under this subsection, the Secretary may support—

(i)

converting research reactors from high-enrichment fuels to low-enrichment fuels and upgrading operational instrumentation;

(ii)

revitalizing and upgrading existing nuclear science and engineering infrastructure that support the development of advanced nuclear technologies and applications;

(iii)

regional or subregional university-led consortia to—

(I)

broaden access to university research reactors;

(II)

enhance existing university-based nuclear science and engineering infrastructure; and

(III)

provide project management, technical support, quality engineering and inspections, manufacturing, and nuclear material support;

(iv)

student training programs, in collaboration with the United States nuclear industry, in relicensing and upgrading reactors, including through the provision of technical assistance; and

(v)

reactor improvements that emphasize research, training, and education, including through the Innovations in Nuclear Infrastructure and Education Program or any similar program.

(B)

Of any amounts appropriated to carry out the program under this subsection, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A) $55,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

(5)

Advanced nuclear research infrastructure enhancement

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall carry out a subprogram to be known as the Advanced Nuclear Research Infrastructure Enhancement Subprogram in order to—

(i)

demonstrate various advanced nuclear reactor and nuclear microreactor concepts;

(ii)

establish medical isotope production reactors or other specialized applications; and

(iii)

advance other research infrastructure that, in the determination of the Secretary, is consistent with the mission of the Department.

(B)

New nuclear science and engineering facilities

In carrying out the subprogram, the Secretary shall establish—

(i)

not more than 4 new research reactors; and

(ii)

new nuclear science and engineering facilities, as required to address research demand and identified infrastructure gaps.

(C)

Locations

New research reactors and facilities established under subparagraph (B) shall be established in a manner that—

(i)

supports the regional or subregional consortia described in paragraph (4)(C); 1

 So in original. Probably means “paragraph (4)(A)(iii)”.

and

(ii)

encourages the participation of—

(I)

historically Black colleges and universities;

(II)

Tribal colleges or universities;

(III)

minority-serving institutions;

(IV)

EPSCoR universities; and

(V)

junior or community colleges.

(D)

Fuel requirements

(E)

Fuel services

(F)

Authorization of appropriations

Of any amounts appropriated to carry out the program under this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the subprogram under this paragraph—

(i)

$45,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;

(ii)

$60,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;

(iii)

$65,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;

(iv)

$80,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; and

(v)

$140,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.

(6)

Radiological facilities management

(A)

In general

(B)

Authorization of appropriations

(7)

Nuclear energy university program

(8)

Operations and maintenance

(9)

Definitions

In this subsection:

(A)

Junior faculty

(B)

Junior or community college

The term “junior or community college” means—

(i)

a public institution of high education, including additional locations, at which the highest awarded degree, or the predominantly awarded degree, is an associate degree; or

(ii)

any Tribal college or university (as defined in section 1059c of title 20).

(C)

EPSCoR university

(D)

Historically Black college or university

(E)

Minority-serving institution

(F)

Tribal College or University

(b)

Nuclear energy traineeship subprogram

(1)

Establishment

(2)

Requirements

In carrying out the subprogram under this subsection, the Secretary shall—

(A)

encourage appropriate partnerships among National Laboratories, affected universities, community colleges, trade schools, registered apprenticeship programs, pre-apprenticeship programs, and industry; and

(B)

on an annual basis, evaluate the needs of the nuclear energy community to implement traineeships for focused topical areas addressing mission-specific workforce needs.

(A)

Focus areas 2

 So in original. There are two subpars. (A). Probably should be designated par. (3).

In carrying out the subprogram under this subsection, the Secretary may implement traineeships in focus areas that, in the determination of the Secretary, are necessary to support the nuclear energy sector in the United States, including—

(i)

research and development;

(ii)

construction and operation;

(iii)

associated supply chains; and

(iv)

workforce training and retraining to support transitioning workforces.

(4)

Authorization of appropriations  3

 So in original. There is no par. (3).

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 954, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 886; Pub. L. 115–248, § 2(d), Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3155; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title II, § 2003(c), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2463; Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title X, § 41002(b)(2), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1128; Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VI, §§ 10743, 10744, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1718, 1719; Pub. L. 117–263, div. E, title LIX, § 5914(2), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3449; Pub. L. 118–31, div. C, title XXXI, § 3131(p)(2), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 803.)

cite as: 42 USC 16274