DOE program lets small businesses develop products in federal labs

The Department of Energy (DOE) recently issued a request for assistance (RFA) draft recently for the Nuclear Energy Voucher Program to help small businesses.

The vouchers facilitate a cost-sharing program to allow these businesses to do research and development at DOE’s national laboratories or other facilities, where small companies can test new products and perfect them for commercial use.

The DOE said it has noticed growing interest in nuclear development among newer, smaller companies and said it will accept feedback up until Feb. 16. 

“Strong engagement between federal agencies, the research community and technology developers is vital to bring new nuclear technologies to market and is a core mission of GAIN,” Under Secretary of Science and Energy Lynn Orr said. “By providing companies access to the department’s world-class nuclear researchers, data and facilities, we will help build the partnerships necessary to bring innovative technologies to the market faster by helping them solve their most pressing challenges.”

This program is part of the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative, which aims to facilitate enhanced research and development capabilities.