Background
On May 23, President Trump issued Executive Order 14299, Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security. Section 5(c) directs the Secretary of War and Secretary of Energy to utilize all available legal authorities to site, approve, and authorize the design, construction, and operation of privately-funded nuclear fuel recycling, reprocessing, and reactor fuel fabrication technologies in the United States for the purpose of fabricating fuel forms for use in national security reactors, commercial power reactors, and non-power research reactors.
Program Overview
The Advanced Nuclear Fuel Recycling program looks to broaden domestic fuel supplies to accelerate the deployment of advanced reactors for national security and prove fundamental technological viability under DOE’s authority to faster research, development, and demonstration in nuclear material recycling technologies to reinvigorate the U.S. nuclear industry base.
Current Opportunities
Request for Applications
DOE issued a Request for Applications on April 22, 2026. The Department is seeking proposals from industry partners on their plans to design, construct, and operate nuclear fuel recycling, reprocessing, and fuel fabrication facilities in the United States.
Initial applications are due by June 19, 2026, with subsequent applications allowed on a rolling basis.
Read the Advanced Nuclear Fuel Recycling Request for Applications.
Announcements
- Download the Request for Application issued April 22, 2026.
- Read the press release announcing the launch of the Advanced Nuclear Fuel Recycling program, published April 22, 2026.
Resources
- Executive Order 14299: Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security
- All RFA questions should be directed to DOERecycling@id.doe.gov.