The U.S. Department of Energy on June 18 announced the start of a new pilot program to expedite the testing of advanced nuclear reactor designs under DOE authority outside of the national laboratories.
In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy, DOE issued a Request for Application (RFA) and is seeking qualified U.S. reactor companies interested in constructing and operating their test reactors outside of the national laboratories using the DOE authorization process.
The June 18 action "represents an important step toward streamlining nuclear reactor testing and ensuring at least three reactors achieve criticality by July 4, 2026," the DOE said.
The pilot program builds on current efforts to demonstrate advanced reactors on DOE sites through microreactor testbeds and other projects led by the Department of Defense and private industry.
It is specifically designed to foster research and development of nuclear reactors and not demonstrate reactors for commercial suitability.
Seeking DOE authorization provided under the Atomic Energy Act will help unlock private funding and provide a fast-tracked approach to enable future commercial licensing activities for potential applicants, DOE said.
DOE will consider advanced reactors that have a reasonable chance to operate by the July 4, 2026 deadline.
Applicants will be responsible for all costs associated with designing, manufacturing, constructing, operating, and decommissioning each test reactor. Moreover, applicants will be competitively selected based on a set of criteria, including technological readiness, site evaluations, financial viability, and a detailed plan to achieving criticality.
Initial applications are due by July 21, 2025, with subsequent applications allowed on a rolling basis.
DOE will sponsor an Industry Day event on June 25, 2025, which will include virtual and in-person attendance.
Registration is required and additional information may be found on the FedConnect listing for the RFA.
