More than $5 million (£3m) is being provided to students pursuing nuclear science and engineering degrees in the US.

The Department of Energy is awarding around $5,000 (£2,966) each to 42 undergraduate and 33 graduate-level students to help cover education costs and research for the coming year.

The cash will also be used to fund a summer internship at a US national laboratory or other approved facilities for those at graduate levels in a bid to strengthen ties between students and the Energy Department’s nuclear research programmes.

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said: “Nuclear power is an important part of the low carbon solution and the Energy Department is committed to supporting a strong domestic nuclear energy industry.

“By helping educate and train the next generation of nuclear energy leaders in the United States, we can strengthen our competitive position in the global market and continue American leadership in clean energy innovation.”