The US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) based at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has selected 13 new projects to participate in the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad initiative.
The Launch Pad, announced in March 2026, builds on the success of DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program established in June 2025 and the Fuel Line Pilot Program launched in August 2025. Launch Pad accelerates advanced nuclear technology deployment using flexible technical and regulatory frameworks on both federal and non-federal lands.
Launch Pad offers two pathways for nuclear developers: Launch Pad INL, located at INL, provides access to world-class nuclear research infrastructure, decades of operational expertise and streamlined regulatory support; and Launch Pad USA, which extends the program’s flexible framework to federal and non-federal sites across the country. These pathways meet developers where they are and help them move from concept to deployment at the speed America’s energy demand requires.
The initiative offers two pathways for nuclear developers – Launch Pad Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Launch Pad USA. Launch Pad INL covers more than 2,000 acres, divided into several plots for private nuclear tech developers. Eligible projects include advanced reactors, fuel fabrication, recycling, enrichment and other innovations. It offers:
- Land suitable for different nuclear applications and regulatory deployment structure;
- Accelerated identification, allocation and assessment of sites;
- Access to INL’s existing utilities and services;
- Direct access to specialised nuclear expertise, as needed;
- Assistance navigating the complexities of nuclear regulations for DOE authorisation or Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing; and
- A flexible contract framework with DOE and INL.
Launch Pad USA offers the ability to authorise the operation of nuclear reactors and fuel cycle facilities outside INL. It offers:
- Remote or project-specific access to specialised nuclear expertise at INL or other national laboratories, as needed;
- Assistance in navigating the complexities of nuclear regulations for DOE authorisation;
- A flexible contract framework with DOE; and
- High flexibility to leverage unique regional or project-specific advantages.
Launch Pad is managed by NRIC, which was established in 2019 to work with industry and the national laboratories to bridge the gap between concept, demonstration and commercialisation of advanced nuclear technology.
“These selections show a strong and growing interest from developers ready to move their technologies forward,” said NRIC Director Brad Tomer. “Nuclear Energy Launch Pad gives these developers a prioritised pathway to the DOE authorisation process, and access to subject matter experts, facilities, and regulatory support tailored to their needs. We’re helping bridge the gap between concept and commercialisation and these selections show that pipeline is only getting stronger.”
DOE and NRIC selected 12 developers and 13 projects based on a wide range of criteria published in the initiative’s Request for Applications. Projects selected include reactor development and nuclear fuel cycle advancements, including fabrication, enrichment and conversion technologies. The selected companies can begin working with NRIC to execute the enhanced technical, regulatory and deployment support available through the Launch Pad initiative.
The selections include Antares Nuclear, Atlas Atomics, Deployable Energy (2 projects), Forge Atomics, Hexium Inc, Lightbridge Corporation, Nusano, Inc, Oklo, Raven-Flint Nuclear, Scaled Atomics, Sublime Nuclear and Valar Atomics.
The first four Launch Pad selections announced in April included Radiant, Deployable Energy, NuCube Energy in co-operation with Idaho State University and General Matter.
NRIC will continue accepting Launch Pad applications, with additional selections made on a rolling basis as resources allow. Projects not chosen in this review cycle are welcome to revise their submissions and reapply in future rounds.
“A resilient nuclear fuel supply chain is essential to America’s energy future, and the projects selected today reflect real progress on fabrication, enrichment and conversion technologies,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Josh Jarrell. “DOE is committed to working alongside these companies to strengthen domestic fuel availability and reduce our reliance on foreign sources.”
INL Director John Wagner noted: “One of Idaho National Laboratory’s greatest strengths is the combination of world-class infrastructure, technical expertise and decades of operational experience we’ve built to support the nation’s nuclear mission. The Nuclear Energy Launch Pad initiative makes those capabilities available to developers, helping them move technologies from design to deployment safely and efficiently.”
