The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) has awarded a total of $899,487 in Nuclear Equipment Funding (NEF) grants to four institutions to expand nuclear education and workforce training programs across the state.

Roane State Community College received $249,847, one of the largest awards in the program. These non-recurring grants, capped at $250,000 per institution, support the purchase of advanced training equipment for nuclear-related programs. The funding, made possible through Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly, underscores Tennessee’s commitment to strengthening its nuclear energy workforce and advancing energy innovation. Grant contracts began on April 1, 2026, and will run for six months.

THEC Executive Director Dr. Steven Gentile noted that these investments will help ensure Tennessee continues to lead in developing a highly skilled workforce to meet the demands of the growing nuclear energy sector. The other recipients were Chattanooga State Community College ($150,000), Tennessee Technological University ($250,000), and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville ($249,640).