The Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) announced today that 14 businesses will be provided nuclear energy vouchers worth approximately $4.2 million to accelerate the innovation and application of advanced nuclear technologies. This follows an earlier announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy that awarded nearly $67 million in nuclear energy research, facility access, crosscutting technology development, and infrastructure awards in 28 states. The GAIN nuclear energy vouchers provide advanced nuclear technology innovators with access to the extensive nuclear research capabilities and expertise available across the U.S. DOE national laboratories complex. support of nuclear energy innovation, DOE-NE vouchers provide funds to assist applicants seeking access to the world class expertise and capabilities available across the United States (U.S.) DOE complex. 

“DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy established GAIN to provide the nuclear innovator community with assistance to address a range of technology needs,” said GAIN Director Rita Baranwal. “Through these vouchers, GAIN encourages accelerated nuclear technology innovation and promotes progress in the private sector." 

GAIN nuclear energy voucher recipients do not receive direct financial awards. The GAIN nuclear energy vouchers provide access to national laboratory capabilities at no cost to the voucher recipients. 

GAIN serves the advanced nuclear technology developer community in several ways:  

• Offering a centralized information and communications portal for advanced nuclear technology resources.
• Conducting needs assessments and research-oriented workshops. 
• Connecting nuclear energy innovators with national laboratory scientists developing new computational tools. 
• Providing a venue for DOE, in close coordination with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, to work with nuclear technology developers on licensing support. 
• Offering training opportunities to the nuclear community. 
• Providing advanced nuclear technology developers access to technical, regulatory, and financial support via the broad range of DOE funding options.  

“The GAIN team was impressed with the number and quality of voucher applications,” said Dr. John Jackson, GAIN technical interface. “The sense of urgency and the stakeholder support for developing and commercializing the next evolution of nuclear technologies has never been stronger.” 

The businesses selected to receive GAIN nuclear energy vouchers are: