The first Russian-made experimental nuclear fuel assemblies based on accident-tolerant fuel for light water reactors have been loaded for testing into the water loops of the MIR research reactor at the State Research Institute of Atomic Reactors in Dimitrovgrad.

China General Nuclear has begun irradiation testing of a prototype accident-tolerant fuel rod in a research reactor, marking the first time that Chinese-developed ATF has been irradiated.

China National Nuclear Corporation and Suzhou University have signed a strategic cooperation agreement aimed at expanding their existing cooperation in nuclear medicine and nuclear technology applications. Suzhou University is in the eastern-central coastal province of Jiangsu.

The US Department of Energy has completed an environmental assessment clearing the way for the fabrication of high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel for advanced nuclear reactors at the Idaho National Laboratory. Meanwhile, the US Department of Defense has issued a Request for Information for a small mobile reactor using HALEU fuel to provide electrical power in rapid response scenarios.

Westinghouse Electric Company has received USD93.6 million of funding from the US Department of Energy for its EnCore accident-tolerant fuel programme.

The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine has launched a target programme for scientific research, Nuclear and Radiation Technologies for the Energy Sector and Social Needs for 2019-2023. The resolution was adopted on 16 January, following a meeting of the presidium of the institution, chaired by its president, Boris Paton.

The Advancing Nuclear Medicine consortium, led by the Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group, has been awarded a EUR6.8 million (USD7.7 million) subsidy to develop FIELD-LAB. This Dutch initiative is aimed at accelerating the development and introduction of new radiopharmaceuticals.

Framatome has received a USD49 million, 28-month grant from the US Department of Energy to accelerate the development and commercialisation of enhanced accident tolerant fuel.

The US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has announced six new collaborations with industry on projects to advance commercial nuclear energy technologies. Meanwhile, the DOE has announced separate funding solicitations for research into fusion energy and transformative energy technologies.

Terrestrial Energy has contracted BWXT Canada Ltd for technical consultation and design assistance in the development of steam generators and heat exchangers for its Integral Molten Salt Reactor.

China National Nuclear Corporation held a ceremony on 27 November to mark the establishment of a new centre for nuclear fuels and materials research and development in Beijing.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and the UK’s Nuclear AMRC have signed a new agreement to develop jointly clean energy and next-generation nuclear technologies.