Fiscal Year 2026 Distinguished Early Career Program

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The Office of Nuclear Energy’s (NE) mission is to advance nuclear energy science and technology to meet U.S. energy, environmental, and economic needs. NE has identified the following goals to address challenges in the nuclear energy sector, help realize the potential of advanced technology, and leverage the unique role of the government in spurring innovation: • Keep existing U.S. nuclear reactors operating; • Deploy new nuclear reactors; • Secure and sustain our nuclear fuel cycle; and • Expand international nuclear energy cooperation. All applications submitted under this NOFO must demonstrate a strong tie to NEs mission. NE conducts crosscutting nuclear energy research and development (R&D) and associated infrastructure support activities to develop innovative technologies that offer the promise of dramatically improved performance for its mission needs while maximizing the impact of DOE resources. NE strives to promote integrated and collaborative research conducted by national laboratories, universities, industry, and international partners in conjunction with NE’s programs and to deploy innovative nuclear energy technologies to the market to meet the strategic goals and optimize the benefits of nuclear energy. NE funds research activities, through both competitive and direct mechanisms, as required to best meet those goals. This approach ensures a balanced R&D portfolio and encourages new nuclear power deployment with creative solutions to the universe of nuclear energy challenges through various major research programs funded by NE.