Research will Focus on both Existing and Next-Generation Facilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $6 million in funding for research and development in accelerator science and technology for nuclear physics research. 

“Accelerator technology has been the key to unlocking the secrets of matter and has also found valuable applications in medicine and industry,” said Dr. Chris Fall, Director of DOE’s Office of Science.  “This investment will help keep the United States in the lead in this indispensable technology.”

Five DOE national laboratories and three universities will lead a total of eight projects aimed at both potential upgrades to existing facilities and laying the groundwork for next-generation accelerators. Studies will focus on a range of key accelerator technologies, from photocathodes, which provide an electron source for accelerator beams, to superconducting radiofrequency cavities, which provide critical beam acceleration.

Awards were selected by competitive peer review under DOE Funding Opportunity Announcement titled, “FY2020 Research and Development for Next Generation Nuclear Physics Accelerator Facilities,” issued by the Office of Nuclear Physics (NP) within DOE’s Office of Science.   

Planned funding totals $6 million over two years, with $3.6 million in Fiscal Year 2020 dollars and outyear funding contingent on congressional appropriations.

A full list of awards can be found on the NP homepage under the heading, “What’s New.”