WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Energy Department doled out $5.7 million to U.S. universities for advanced nuclear energy research.
The department announced the grants Friday, part of a President Bush's Nuclear Energy Research Initiative.
"These awards demonstrate our commitment to pursuing nuclear research, and we are eager for our next generation of scientists and engineers to make scientific breakthroughs that will help diversify our nation's energy sources," DOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Dennis Spurgeon said in a statement. "Supporting education and training is critical to developing secure, competitive and environmentally responsible nuclear technologies to serve the present and future energy needs of the United States."
The money will be awarded to nine U.S. universities to advance the department's Generation IV Nuclear Energy Initiative, Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative and Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative.
Since 2005 the department has doled out $38.6 million in NERI funds.
