Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN)

The mission of the Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) is to advance nuclear power as a resource capable of meeting the nation's energy, environmental and national security needs by resolving technical, cost, safety, proliferation resistance, and security barriers through research, development and demonstration ﴾RD&D﴿. Accomplishing this mission will realize the enormous potential of nuclear energy and maintain the United States' historic leadership in the field. While many innovative ideas exist, the research, development and demonstration ﴾RD&D﴿ needed to bring these concepts to a commercial readiness level is traditionally lengthy and expensive. Therefore, DOE-NE has established the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) to provide the nuclear community with access to the technical, regulatory, and financial support necessary to move innovative nuclear energy technologies toward commercialization while ensuring the continued safe, reliable, and economic operation of the existing nuclear fleet. Capabilities Through GAIN, DOE is making its state-of-the-art and continuously improving RD&D infrastructure available to stakeholders to achieve faster and cost-effective development of innovative nuclear energy technologies toward commercial readiness. Why is GAIN needed? The facilities needed to conduct the necessary RD&D activities are very expensive to develop and maintain. Facilities at government sites have not been easily accessible by the entities trying to commercialize creative systems and components. Additionally, the regulatory framework for novel ideas needs to be streamlined, with a clear, defined set of requirements for licensing concepts. Reducing the uncertainties and financial risks of achieving technical readiness and licensing will help spur further investment in innovative nuclear energy technologies.