The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is in the process of rescinding or revising guidance and policies posted on this webpage in accordance with Executive Order 14151 Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, and Executive Order 14168 Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government. In the interim, any previously issued diversity, equity, inclusion, or gender-related guidance on this webpage should be considered rescinded that is inconsistent with these Executive Orders.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

artist rendering of Cutaway artist’s rendering of the proposed UIUC test reactor


Project Overview

In May 2021, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) submitted to the NRC a Letter of Intent to submit an application for a construction permit for a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor.  The proposed research reactor would be based on NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. technology, and would utilize TRISO particle fuel, helium gas coolant, and graphite moderator.  The reactor would be located on UIUC’s campus in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, and would have a molten salt secondary loop providing electrical power conversion capability for campus use.  UIUC is engaged in pre-application activities with the NRC.

For more information, please see the UIUC High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor pre-application documents (NRC Project No. 99902094).

To subscribe to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) email service, select University of Illinois HTGR from the Advanced Reactors list after entering your email into the GovDelivery system.

Pre-Application Activities

Product Type Reference Status
Regulatory Engagement Plan White Paper ML23178A259 No review requested
Utilizing a Class 104(c) Licensing Pathway for the Proposed UIUC Research and Test Reactor White Paper ML22165A304 Feedback Provided
ML22235A764
Proposed Contents of PSAR Using NUREG-1537 Guidance for the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR®) White Paper ML22220A252 Feedback Provided
ML22321A314
Quality Assurance Program Description Topical Report ML22320A086 Safety Evaluation Issued
ML23167C137
Applicability of Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulations Topical Report ML22343A282
(Release 1)
ML23242A329
(Release 2)
ML24060A265
(Release 3)
ML24075A304
(Release 4)
Safety Evaluation Issued:
ML24208A143
Safeguards Information-Modified Handling Protection Plan Plan ML23053A098
(Release 1)
ML23208A313
(Release 2)
ML24016A198
(Release 3)
Feedback Provided
ML24040A193
Fuel Qualification Methodology Topical Report ML23038A240
ML23208A308
(Withdraw letter)
ML23229A238
(Review Terminated)
 
Resubmitted
ML24071A237
(Release 1)
ML24347A211
(Release 2)

Safety Evaluation Issued
ML25101A107
Event Sequence Identification and SSC Safety Classification Methodology  Topical Report ML23250A318
(Release 1)
ML24053A336
(Release 2)
Safety Evaluation Issued
ML24075A193
Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) Principal Design Criteria Topical Report ML23319A407 Safety Evaluation Issued:
ML24208A066

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Friday, April 25, 2025