The Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, and the Chairman of the Commission shall jointly establish a program, to be known as the “University Nuclear Leadership Program”.
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, which may include nontechnical nuclear research..[1]
The Commission shall establish, as a subprogram of the Program, a nuclear energy traineeship subprogram under which the Commission, in coordination with institutions of higher education and trade schools, shall competitively award traineeships that provide focused training to meet critical mission needs of the Commission and nuclear workforce needs, including needs relating to the nuclear tradecraft workforce.
The term “advanced nuclear reactor” has the meaning given the term in section 16271(b) of this title.
The term “institution of higher education” has the meaning given the term in section 15801 of this title.
The term “National Laboratory” has the meaning given the term in section 16271(b) of this title.
The term “Program” means the University Nuclear Leadership Program established under this section.
The term “nontechnical nuclear research” means research with specializations such as social sciences or law that can support an increase in community engagement, participation, and confidence in nuclear energy systems, including the navigation of the licensing required for advanced reactor deployment, aligned with the objectives in section 16271(a)(2) of this title.