High-performance Optimized Recycled Nuclear Isotopes for Gen IV reactors (HORNIG)
This grant funds research to develop advanced recycled nuclear fuels from transuranic elements for Gen IV reactors, aiming to boost U.S. energy security, reduce nuclear waste, and lower fuel costs.
Funder: Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy
Due Dates: May 28, 2026: Concept Paper submission deadline (Concept Paper due by 9:30 AM ET)
Funding Amounts: $500,000–$7,000,000 per award (8–10 expected awards); total program funding approx. $50 million; up to 36 months/project.
Summary: Supports R&D for commercially deployable recycled transuranic (TRU) nuclear fuel technologies for advanced (Gen IV) reactors to improve U.S. energy security and reduce nuclear waste.
Key Information: Concept Paper required for full application; 20% cost share (with reduced requirements for certain applicants).
Description
This funding opportunity from ARPA-E aims to accelerate the development and commercial deployment of advanced nuclear fuel technologies using recycled transuranic (TRU) elements—such as plutonium, neptunium, and americium—for Generation IV reactors. The program is designed to address key technical and economic barriers that have historically prevented the use of TRU fuels in commercial reactors, with the goal of establishing a domestic TRU fuel supply chain, reducing reliance on imported uranium, and supporting a closed fuel cycle for improved energy security and waste management.
Projects funded under this opportunity will focus on innovative approaches to TRU fuel design, scalable fabrication, performance testing, modeling, and regulatory qualification. The program is structured into two main categories:
- Category A: Holistic development of TRU fuels, including design, fabrication, experimental testing, modeling, and qualification, in close collaboration with an advanced reactor developer.
- Category B: Development of cross-cutting tools and analyses (such as technoeconomic analysis, life-cycle assessment, and deployment pathway analysis) to support and evaluate Category A projects.
The program will fund coordinated, multidisciplinary efforts to deliver transformative advances in fuel performance, manufacturability, cost, and regulatory readiness, aiming for a levelized cost of fuel (LCOF) ≤ 1¢/kWh and TRU fuel qualification within seven years.
