The program provides funding to support research and development for nuclear science, engineering, technology, and related disciplines to develop a workforce capable of supporting the design, construction, operation, and regulation of nuclear facilities and the safe handling of nuclear materials.More

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specifically, the program supports future-focused research aimed at helping NRC prepare for upcoming challenges.

These include but are not limited to:
(a) the continued safe operation of existing nuclear reactors; (b) the regulation of future advanced nuclear reactors, including demonstration and development activities and relevant fuel cycle technologies; and(c) the transformation of NRC into a modern, risk-informed regulator.

The latter involves activities to increasingly risk-inform NRC’s regulatory framework, decision-making processes, procedures, and guidance in all of its regulatory arenas.Of particular interest are projects aimed at:• Improving Agency future capabilities and organizational effectiveness, including tools and data for analysis and evaluation of emerging or anticipated reactor and fuel cycle technologies; operational; licensing concepts, and potential safety issues.• Addressing technical gaps and major uncertainties in current analyses supporting risk-informed decision-making.• Improving foundational knowledge that provides the basis for future risk-informed decision-making.• Advanced technology approaches (e.g., data and text analytics and artificial intelligence) and applications (e.g., data mining, risk communication).• Characterization, handling, storage, or disposal of waste streams (including used fuel) from nuclear power plants (including the various advanced reactor designs that are currently under development.