Adam RollinsThe Department of Energy (DOE) is launching a new pilot program to fast-track development of advanced nuclear reactor fuel lines, seeking to strengthen the nation’s nuclear fuel domestic supply chain.
Spurred by executive orders seeking to reform nuclear reactor testing, the pilot program will advance reactor company efforts to build and operate nuclear facilities outside of recognized national laboratories. These pilots will help the U.S. avoid relying on foreign sources of enriched uranium and critical materials by creating dedicated fuel lines. The DOE has released a Request for Application (RFA) for qualified companies, with responses due by Aug. 15.
Projects accepted into the pilot must focus on building and operating advanced nuclear fuel lines that meet the following standards:
- They must provide a mature design to support imminent development and submittal of safety basis documentation.
- They must establish fuel fabrication plans to use a qualified fuel form, as well as identify nuclear fuel feedstock.
- They must provide ample financial resources and a mature supply chain to finish all stages of the project.
- They must ensure that they are prepared to execute the project with the ability to obtain all fuel line materials, systems, components and qualified staffing for all project phases.
Applicants that are eligible to submit projects to the program must meet be organized, chartered or incorporated under the laws of the U.S., its states or its territories. These businesses must be physically located in the U.S. and have majority domestic ownership and control. Alternatively, organizations applying must have been legally formed under the laws of a U.S. territory or state, even if they are the subsidiary of a foreign entity.
The pilot program builds a related program to rapidly develop advanced nuclear reactors to situate the United States as a global energy leader. Announced in June 2025, the DOE anticipates that at least three reactors will achieve criticality by July 4, 2026. The department is currently reviewing applications for that pilot program for consideration.
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