1. (a) In general The Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, and the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall jointly establish a program, to be known as the “University Nuclear Leadership Program”.

2. (b) Use of funds

   1. (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), amounts made available to carry out the Program shall be used to provide financial assistance for scholarships, fellowships, and research and development projects at institutions of higher education in areas relevant to the programmatic mission of the applicable Federal agency, with an emphasis on providing the financial assistance with respect to research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities relevant to civilian advanced nuclear reactors including, but not limited to—

      1. (A) relevant fuel cycle technologies;
      2. (B) project management; and
      3. (C) advanced construction, manufacturing, and fabrication methods.
   2. (2) Exception Notwithstanding paragraph (1), amounts made available to carry out the Program may be used to provide financial assistance for a scholarship, fellowship, or multiyear research and development project that does not align directly with a programmatic mission of the Department of Energy, if the activity for which assistance is provided would facilitate the maintenance of the discipline of nuclear science or engineering.

3. (c) Definitions In this section:

   1. (1) Advanced nuclear reactor; institution of higher education The terms “advanced nuclear reactor” and “institution of higher education” have the meanings given those terms in section 16271 of this title.
   2. (2) Program The term “Program” means the University Nuclear Leadership Program established under this section.

4. (d) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Program for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025—

   1. (1) $30,000,000 to the Secretary of Energy, of which $15,000,000 shall be for use by the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration; and
   2. (2) $15,000,000 to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

(Pub. L. 111–8, div. C, title III, § 313, Mar. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 627; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title II, § 2003(e), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2465.)

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009, and also as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009, and not as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

2020—Pub. L. 116–260 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to Integrated University Program.