Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) Research, Development and Demonstration Programme: Phase A competition

The AMR RD&D programme aims to demonstrate High Temperature Gas Reactor (HTGR) technology by the early 2030s, in time for any potential commercial AMRs to support net zero by 2050.

This HTGR demonstration, which will be sited in the UK, should be shaped by end-user requirements, and should incentivise private investment in HTGRs by removing technical risk. It should have innovation at the centre of its design, build, and application.

Through a pre-commercial, fully funded Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), this Phase A competition aims to fund up to 6 Pre-FEED (Front End Engineering Design) studies across 2 key technology lots. These are:

• Lot 1: Reactor Demonstration (up to 4 Pre-FEED studies will be awarded) for projects developing Advanced Modular HTGR technologies, with up to £500,000 available for each project
• Lot 2: Fuel Demonstration (up to 2 Pre-FEED studies will be awarded) for projects developing Coated Particle Fuel (CPF) for HTGR technologies, with up to £250,000 available for each project

How to apply

Read the AMR RD&D Competition Guidance Notes for further information about the competition.

Submit any questions by 2pm, 2 May 2022.

We may not be able to answer questions submitted after this date. We will reply to queries of material significance through an anonymised Q&A page which we will add here in the week beginning 9 May 2022.

We will hold a briefing event during the week beginning 25 April 2022: complete this form to express your interest in attending.

Register to enter the SBRI competition: deadline 2pm, 16 May 2022. You can enter the competition without registering, but if you register you will receive relevant competition updates.

Complete and submit this Phase A application form with any supporting information: deadline 2pm, 1 June 2022.

We will not accept any applications which are not submitted via the online application form or are submitted after the deadline.

Background

The AMR RD&D programme is part of the £385 million Advanced Nuclear Fund, and is aligned with the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) which aims to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative clean energy technologies and processes through the 2020s and 2030s.

To support Phase A, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the Environment Agency (EA) have been allocated up to £830,000 to continue to build and maintain their capability on advanced nuclear technologies.