Summary
The Department of Energy, through the National Reactor Innovation Center at Idaho National Laboratory, issued a Request for Applications (RFA) to establish the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad to accelerate private-sector deployment of advanced nuclear technologies. The RFA describes two pathways (Launch Pad INL and Launch Pad U.S.A.) and requires applicants to meet eligibility thresholds and maintain active SAM.gov registration; DOE will not provide direct funding and selected participants will execute OTA or SPP agreements. The RFA is open continuously after an initial application round, with initial application deadlines for first-round consideration and an industry day scheduled for May 19, 2026.