The challenges of modernizing our nuclear stockpile demand a strong and diverse base of national expertise and educational opportunities in specialized technical areas that uniquely contribute to nuclear stockpile stewardship. The Academic Programs of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Defense Programs are designed to support academic programs in science and engineering disciplines of critical importance to the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE), such as nuclear science, radiochemistry, materials at extreme conditions, high energy density science, advanced manufacturing, and high performance computing. In addition, building a highly skilled workforce will strengthen our stewardship of the future.

Academic Programs 

Academic Programs Priorities:

1. Develop the next-generation of highly trained technical workers able to support the core mission of the NNSA.

2. Ensure U.S. preeminence in technical areas critical to nuclear deterrence and peer expertise external to the NSE for providing valuable oversight, cross-check, and review.

3. Enable scientific innovation to enhance the NSE missions and strengthen the fundamental fields of research relevant to the NNSA mission.

4. The Academic Programs enables robust and multi-faceted science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research for educational communities through a variety of methods of support. Investments in Consortia and Centers of Excellence provide collaborative groups the opportunity to tackle large questions through multi-disciplinary approaches and leverage preeminent scientists in relevant fields. Research grants and Focused Investigatory Centers support individual principal investigators to foster a vibrant community responsive to new breakthroughs by providing flexibility for innovations and career growth. Academic Programs looks to expand its reach to a greater number of academic institutions through strategic partnerships. Fellowships provide graduate students with key opportunities to connect with the NNSA missions and provide direct experiences at the NSE sitesAll Academic Programs opportunities focus on quality science through competitive award, connection with NNSA mission work at national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, and a view to the NSE’s future needs and opportunities.

The Academic Programs is comprised of five subprograms:

STEWARDSHIP SCIENCE ACADEMIC ALLIANCES (SSAA)

HIGH ENERGY DENSITY LABORATORY PLASMAS (HEDLP)

Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program

PREDICTIVE SCIENCE ACADEMIC ALLIANCE PROGRAM (PSAAP)

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS