Silcon Carbide Cladding Lead Test Rod Development-Phase 1
Limited submission
Supports development and fabrication of silicon carbide nuclear fuel cladding for reactor irradiation and post-irradiation testing by 2030, advancing its future use in commercial light water reactors.
Funder: Idaho Field Office
Due Dates: November 30, 2026 (Questions, 5:00 p.m. ET) | December 7, 2026 (Application, 5:00 p.m. ET)
Funding Amounts: $50 million estimated program funding; $62.5 million award ceiling; approximately three years
Summary: Supports silicon carbide nuclear fuel cladding research, fabrication, irradiation testing, and post-irradiation examinations by 2030.
Key Information: Applicants must provide at least 20% of total project costs as cost share.
Description
The Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, through the Idaho Operations Office, supports research and development to advance silicon carbide (SiC) cladding for nuclear fuel rods in commercial light water reactors. Phase 1 funds specimen fabrication, research-reactor irradiation, and post-irradiation examinations by 2030, generating performance data for future commercial lead test rods and Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing review.
Relevant work includes irradiation damage and qualification, thermal-hydraulic corrosion and erosion, thermal and mechanical performance, advanced cladding and fiber/tow fabrication, accident and transient testing, modeling and simulation, fuel-rod evaluation methods, and supply-chain development. DOE considers both SiC-only composites and SiC combined with other cladding materials. Proposals should explain performance improvements and a reasonable path toward NRC licensure and commercial adoption. Commercial lead test rod and assembly insertion is anticipated in later program stages.
