DOE seeks host sites for new Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses
A Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus is a state-hosted, federally supported hub that anchors major components of the nuclear energy ecosystem.
The U.S. Department of Energy has opened the door for states to compete for a major new federal initiative that could reshape the nation’s nuclear energy landscape and spark regional economic development.
DOE issued a Request for Information (RFI) inviting states to express interest in hosting Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses, which is a state-hosted, federally supported hub that anchors major components of the nuclear energy ecosystem.
The effort aims to modernize the full nuclear fuel cycle and strengthen the country’s position in advanced nuclear technologies. The RFI represents the first step toward creating voluntary Federal-State partnerships that tie advanced nuclear innovation to local workforce, infrastructure, and industry needs.
For regions like East Tennessee, where nuclear science and technology serve as economic cornerstones, the announcement follows a series of developments that signal renewed federal focus on nuclear energy.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the initiative is designed to support a new era of nuclear leadership while driving local economic growth.
“Unleashing the next American nuclear renaissance will drive innovation, fuel economic growth, and create good-paying American jobs while delivering the affordable, reliable, and secure energy America needs to power its future,” he said.
DOE’s vision for the campuses spans the full lifecycle of nuclear energy. States may propose hosting capabilities that include fuel fabrication, enrichment, reprocessing used nuclear fuel, and waste disposition. Depending on local priorities, campuses could also support advanced reactor deployment, power generation, manufacturing, or co-located data centers.
The DOE is asking states to outline their strategic priorities, such as workforce development or technology leadership, and describe what types of activities they would support. Responses may also address funding structures, risk-sharing approaches, incentives, and the federal partnerships needed to operate a full-cycle campus.
The department set a response deadline of April 1, 2026, and additional details are available at SAM.gov.
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