New advanced fuel technology could lead to enhanced performance and safety of country’s reactor fleet
October 5, 2026
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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy today announced a new funding opportunity to accelerate the research and development of silicon carbide cladding. Capable of withstanding extreme conditions within a nuclear reactor, silicon carbide is emerging as a promising advanced fuel cladding material capable of enhancing nuclear reactor safety while reducing operational costs.
“The United States is home to the largest light-water reactor fleet in the world,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Josh Jarrell. “Through this new funding opportunity, we’re excited to continue to work with industry on projects that can improve reactor performance and further enhance the safety of our country’s nuclear power plants, as well as inform the development of fuels to improve operational flexibility and reduce costs for future reactors.”
The nation’s current reactor fleet is fueled by uranium processed into small ceramic pellets and stacked into metal tubes called fuel cladding, which are sealed at both ends to form fuel rods. Fuel cladding is a barrier between the reactor coolant and nuclear fuel pellets and is essential to protecting the fuel while also ensuring the safety of a nuclear power plant.
Up to $50 million in competitive funding is available over three years to support work that will result in the fabrication of 12-foot silicon carbide cladding fuel rods for irradiation testing in research reactors. This is an important next step in the maturation of the fuel technology and will lead to the irradiation performance data required for U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing and commercial deployment of the new cladding material.
Interested parties can access the complete funding opportunity on Grants.gov. Applications are due by December 7, 2026.
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