---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 16532"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "16532"
heading: "Nuclear science talent expansion program for institutions of higher education"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/16532"
units:
  - "Chapter 149 — National Energy Policy and Programs"
  - "Subchapter XVII — Protecting America’s Competitive Edge Through Energy"
---

# §16532. Nuclear science talent expansion program for institutions of higher education

- (a) **Purposes—** The purposes of this section are—
  - (1) to address the decline in the number of and resources available to nuclear science programs at institutions of higher education; and
  - (2) to increase the number of graduates with degrees in nuclear science, an area of strategic importance to the economic competitiveness and energy security of the United States.
- (b) **Definition of nuclear science—** In this section, the term “nuclear science” includes—
  - (1) nuclear science;
  - (2) nuclear engineering;
  - (3) nuclear chemistry;
  - (4) radio chemistry; and
  - (5) health physics.
- (c) **Establishment—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/16531.md?p=4) shall establish, in accordance with this section, a program to expand and enhance [institution of higher education](/usc/42/16531.md?p=2) nuclear science educational capabilities.
- (d) **Nuclear science program expansion grants for institutions of higher education—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/16531.md?p=4) shall award up to 3 competitive grants for each fiscal year to institutions of higher education that establish new academic degree programs in nuclear science.
  - (2) **Priority—** In evaluating grants under this subsection, the [Secretary](/usc/42/16531.md?p=4) shall give priority to proposals that involve partnerships with a [National Laboratory](/usc/42/16531.md?p=3) or other eligible nuclear-related entity, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/42/16531.md?p=4).
  - (3) **Criteria—** Criteria for a grant awarded under this subsection shall be based on—
    - (A) the potential to attract new students to the program;
    - (B) academic rigor; and
    - (C) the ability to offer hands-on learning opportunities.
  - (4) **Duration and amount—**
    - (A) **Duration—** A grant under this subsection may be up to 5 years in duration.
    - (B) **Amount—** An [institution of higher education](/usc/42/16531.md?p=2) that receives a grant under this subsection shall be eligible for up to $1,000,000 for each year of the grant period.
  - (5) **Use of funds—** An [institution of higher education](/usc/42/16531.md?p=2) that receives a grant under this subsection may use the grant to—
    - (A) recruit and retain new faculty;
    - (B) develop core and specialized course content;
    - (C) encourage collaboration between faculty and researchers in the nuclear science field; and
    - (D) support outreach efforts to recruit students.
- (e) **Nuclear science competitiveness grants for institutions of higher education—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/16531.md?p=4) shall award up to 5 competitive grants for each fiscal year to institutions of higher education with existing academic degree programs that produce graduates in nuclear science.
  - (2) **Criteria—** Criteria for a grant awarded under this subsection shall be based on the potential for increasing the number and academic quality of graduates in the nuclear sciences who enter into careers in nuclear-related fields.
  - (3) **Duration and amount—**
    - (A) **Duration—** A grant under this subsection may be up to 5 years in duration.
    - (B) **Amount—** An [institution of higher education](/usc/42/16531.md?p=2) that receives a grant under this subsection shall be eligible for up to $500,000 for each year of the grant period.
  - (4) **Use of funds—** An [institution of higher education](/usc/42/16531.md?p=2) that receives a grant under this subsection may use the grant to—
    - (A) increase the number of graduates in nuclear science that enter into careers in the nuclear science field;
    - (B) enhance the teaching of advanced nuclear technologies;
    - (C) aggressively pursue collaboration opportunities with industry and [National Laboratories](/usc/42/16531.md?p=3);
    - (D) bolster or sustain nuclear infrastructure and research facilities of the [institution of higher education](/usc/42/16531.md?p=2), such as research and training reactors or laboratories; and
    - (E) provide tuition assistance and stipends to undergraduate and graduate students.
- (f) **Authorization of appropriations—**
  - (1) **Nuclear science program expansion grants for institutions of higher education—** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out [subsection (d)](#d)—
    - (A) $3,500,000 for fiscal year 2008;
    - (B) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;
    - (C) $9,500,000 for fiscal year 2010;
    - (D) $9,800,000 for fiscal year 2011;
    - (E) $10,100,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
    - (F) $10,400,000 for fiscal year 2013.
  - (2) **Nuclear science competitiveness grants for institutions of higher education—** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out [subsection (e)](#e)—
    - (A) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
    - (B) $5,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;
    - (C) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
    - (D) $8,240,000 for fiscal year 2011;
    - (E) $8,500,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
    - (F) $8,750,000 for fiscal year 2013.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–69, title V, § 5004, Aug. 9, 2007, 121 Stat. 612; Pub. L. 111–358, title IX, § 902(a), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 4044.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2011—Subsec. (f)(1)(D) to (F). Pub. L. 111–358, § 902(a)(1), added subpars. (D) to (F).

Subsec. (f)(2)(D) to (F). Pub. L. 111–358, § 902(a)(2), added subpars. (D) to (F).