RICHMOND, VA – Today, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced $1.2 million in grants to the Virginia Innovative Nuclear Hub (VIN Hub) funding the establishment of critical research infrastructure, support for workforce training, and further positioning Virginia as the nation’s leader in next-generation nuclear technologies.

This initiative is funded through the Virginia Department of Energy’s (Virginia Energy) Virginia Power Innovation Program (VPIP) and includes the following projects.

Virginia Research & Education Reactor Facility (VA-RERF)—$750,000  

• This planning project will assess the feasibility, design, and implementation strategy for a micro-scale research reactor in Virginia. The facility will serve as a flexible testbed for advanced materials research, reactor simulation, and hands-on nuclear workforce training. The goal is to reduce Virginia’s reliance on out-of-state labs and expand in-state capabilities that support industry and academia alike.

Virginia Center for Nuclear Materials and Reliability (VA-CNMR)—$462,000

• VIN Hub will develop a collaboration model for the development of a research center focused on materials degradation in non-aqueous environments—a key challenge for Generation IV reactors. The VA-CNMR will address gaps in materials science, help shape national standards, and support industry efforts to deploy safer, longer-lasting nuclear technologies.

For more information, click here.