The US Energy Department (DOE) has allocated funds to support development of advanced nuclear reactor concepts.
The funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is part of an effort to strengthen the nuclear reactor segment.
The new technologies will be designed to provide clean and secure energy, while improving the operational performance, safety, security, economics, and proliferation resistance of the reactors.
In partnership with the industry, the DOE will fund up to two awards of around $6m each this year. Each project will receive $3.6m grant from the department, and $2.4m funding from the federally funded research and development center (FFRDC).
The government will also support up to two projects with multiple-year funding of around $40m to each.
US Nuclear Energy Acting Assistant Secretary John Kotek said: "We believe this funding opportunity will foster scientific innovation to advance the goals of the Department in developing clean energy technologies."
The DOE is inviting proposals for cost-shared advanced reactor concepts, which are planned to be demonstrated by 2035.