
GAIN NUCLEAR ENERGY (NE) VOUCHER PROGRAM
GAIN’s NE Voucher Program seeks to accelerate the commercialization of nuclear energy technologies by providing funding and access to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy’s world-class expertise and resources across its national lab complex. GAIN is available to assist interested applicants through every step of the process. For information on the GAIN NE Voucher application process, contact Chris Lohse, Innovation & Technology Manager, at christopher.lohse@inl.gov or 925-698-9988.

NE Voucher Process
Applying for GAIN’s NE voucher may feel overwhelming. Rest assured, GAIN will help you through the process. Take a step-by-step look at the program and learn more >
Applying for a Voucher
Understanding the eligibility and cost-share requirements, topic areas, review criteria, and key dates are critical to a successful GAIN NE voucher application process. Learn a few tips, and more, here >

Recent Voucher Recipients
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Design-Enabling Nuclear Data Evaluation
OrganiCore will partner with ORNL to leverage its Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), machine-learning-enabled molecular dynamics capabilities, and prior successful TSL validation work for reactor materials to generate and validate the required nuclear data. The project will create critical-path nuclear data needed to support the design, safety analysis, and licensing of organic-cooled small modular reactors (SMRs).
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Domestic Uranium Conversion by a Zero-F2 Process
Raven-Flint will work with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to develop an integrated mass-balance, MC&A, and supporting stream-characterization for the Raven-Flint pilot plant. This will utilize INLs operating-scale UF₆ conversion expertise and advanced radiochemistry and analytical capabilities. INL’s combination of subject-matter expertise, radiological authority, and analytical instrumentation enables the development of NRC-credible MC&A and stream-characterization methodologies…
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Overcoming the Material-Growth Barrier for Fabrication
Srijan will work with Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) to grow thick-film hBN using carbon-free precursors such as boron tribromide and borazine, enabling the material quality needed for neutron detector applications. SNL possesses specialized chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor facilities and expertise in carbon-free hBN epitaxial growth that are unavailable commercially and the laboratory’s advanced characterization…
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Investigating Moisture Carryover Behavior
Constellation proposes to partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to apply high-fidelity multiphysics modeling and high-performance computing to improve predictive understanding of MCO phenomena. ORNL will utilize the Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications (VERA) and complementary computational fluid dynamics simulations to analyze historical operating cycles and identify core- and bundle-level mechanisms driving carryover.
Important Voucher Dates
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FY-2026 4th Round Proposals Due
Proposals for the FY-2026 4th Round GAIN Nuclear Energy (NE) Vouchers are due by 5:00pm EST on Friday, July 31, 2026.
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FY-2026 3rd Round Proposals Due
Proposals for the FY-2026 3rd Round GAIN Nuclear Energy (NE) Vouchers are due by 5:00pm EST on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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FY-2026 2nd Round Proposals Due
Proposals for the FY-2026 2nd Round GAIN Nuclear Energy (NE) Vouchers are due by 5:00pm EST on Monday, February 2, 2026.
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FY-2026 1st Round Proposals Due
Proposals for the FY-2026 1st Round GAIN Nuclear Energy (NE) Vouchers are due by 5:00pm EST on Friday, October 31, 2025.
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FY-2025 4th Round Proposals Due
Proposals for the FY-2025 4th Round GAIN Nuclear Energy (NE) Vouchers are due by 5:00pm EST on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
