The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has awarded contracts worth £12 million to support research projects.

It is looking for “innovative solutions to technical challenges” in the sector.

The projects include integrated waste management, site decommissioning and spent fuels as well as nuclear materials.

Among the organisations which have won a share of the investment are UK universities, global corporations and around 20 small and medium-sized businesses.

Some of them are University of Bristol, Imperial College London and the National Nuclear Laboratory.

NDA Research Manager Yvonne Morris said: “Overall we were delighted with the high quality of the submissions and look forward to working with the organisations on our strategic R&D [research and development] programme. We now have new multi-supplier contracts aligned with our key strategic themes. With many new organisations involved for the first time we will have broad input into addressing our R&D requirements.”