The US Department of Energy has granted $17 million (£11m) in research and development funds for 23 Universities to develop the next generation of nuclear energy technologies and upgrade research reactors. A department statement said the action would “restart the U.S. nuclear industry as part of a broad approach to create new clean energy jobs and cut carbon pollution.”

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said: “These projects are critical to research aimed at advancing our domestic nuclear industry and maintaining global leadership in the field. Through these investments we are also training and educating the next generation of leaders in the U.S. nuclear industry to help build a strong new energy economy.”

The projects selected for negotiation of award cover two nuclear energy research fields: Integrated Research Projects and University Research Infrastructure Improvements.