The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy announced $100 million in funding on September 30, 2024, to establish a nuclear safety training and workforce development program. An initial round of up to $50 million supports university-led partnerships with industry, national laboratories, technical colleges, and community colleges for nuclear safety curriculum development and training implementation. A second round of $50 million will be made available in 2025, subject to appropriations.
What it means
The program is structured around two topic areas. Topic Area 1 covers demonstration and implementation of reactor safety training programs and the establishment or enhancement of industry-recognized nuclear reactor safety training credentials. Topic Area 2 targets development of training, curriculum, and faculty at universities and community colleges, along with the establishment of sustainable long-term partnerships with utilities, industry, state and local governments, K-12 institutions, and labor organizations. Acting Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Dr. Michael Goff said the department anticipates “unprecedented growth in nuclear energy workforce needs over the next few decades” as it works toward tripling nuclear energy capacity by 2050, a year by which DOE projects sector job growth to also triple.
Key facts
- Total program funding: $100 million
- Initial round: up to $50 million for curriculum development and training implementation
- Second round: $50 million, available in 2025, subject to appropriations
- Application deadline: 5:00 PM EST, January 14, 2025
- Awards anticipated: spring 2025
- Nuclear energy sector job growth projected to triple by 2050, according to DOE
- Program issuer: DOE Office of Nuclear Energy, Washington, D.C.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy news release (energy.gov)