NSUF awards Rapid Turnaround Experiments to advance nuclear fuels and materials
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy Nuclear Science User Facilities program awarded 27 Rapid Turnaround Experiment (RTE) projects today that support the deployment of advanced reactors, fuel cycle development, and the continued operation of the nation’s existing nuclear reactor fleet. RTE awards facilitate the advancement of nuclear science and technology by providing nuclear energy researchers with timely access to irradiation testing, post-irradiation examination and technical expertise provided through the NSUF at no cost to the researchers.
The fiscal year (FY) 2025 second call RTE awards, totaling approximately $1.5 million, were granted to 27 principal investigators from different institutions, including universities, national laboratories and industry. The competitively selected projects encompass a range of nuclear fuels and materials research that will advance next-generation nuclear technologies. Key materials being studied include advanced metallic and ceramic fuels, additively manufactured structural materials, innovative sensors and cladding materials that could be promising candidate materials for use in advanced nuclear reactors.
First Rapid Turnaround Experiment (RTE) call for fiscal year 2026 is open
Proposals must be submitted by 4 p.m. MST/6 p.m. EST Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026.
This award process offers an avenue for researchers to perform irradiation effects studies of limited scope on nuclear energy relevant fuels and materials using NSUF facilities. Completion of RTE projects is expected within 9 months of award. Prospective researchers should request samples from the NSUF Nuclear Fuels and Materials Library.
RTE proposals are reviewed and evaluated for technical merit, relevancy and feasibility. More on the review process can be found here. Proposals must support the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy mission.
For more about the RTE rules and requirements, please click here or contact Kathy Swartz.
FY26 RTE first call schedule:
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Date: Solicitation period opens Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025
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Date: An RTE call seminar will be Wednesday, December 17 at 11 a.m. MST/1 p.m. EST
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Date: Attend individual Q&A sessions (must be scheduled in advance) Thursday or Friday, Dec. 18 and 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. MST and Wednesday or Thursday, Jan. 7 and 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. MST
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