Deep Isolation Nuclear Awarded ARPA-E Grant for Universal Canister System and Deep Borehole Disposal

The $40 million SCALEUP award will support a commercial pilot project in Cameron, Texas to demonstrate an integrated nuclear waste management solution.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:41pm

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A highly structured abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and grays, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex scientific forces and processes behind deep borehole nuclear waste disposal.The ARPA-E SCALEUP award will help Deep Isolation advance its innovative deep borehole nuclear waste disposal technology, offering a sustainable solution to a global challenge.Cameron Today

Deep Isolation Nuclear, Inc., a leading innovator in nuclear waste disposal technology, has been selected for the U.S. Department of Energy's ARPA-E SCALEUP Ready program. The $40 million award will enable full-scale field testing of Deep Isolation's Universal Canister System (UCS), including regulatory validation and demonstration of deep borehole disposal using a nonradioactive Commercial Pilot in Cameron, Texas.

Why it matters

The UCS SCALEUP project advances critical national priorities, supporting Executive Order 14302 to strengthen U.S. nuclear energy leadership and develop permanent solutions for spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste. The project also aligns with ARPA-E's mission to improve radioactive waste management and maintain U.S. technological leadership in advanced energy technologies.

The details

The project brings together a world-class team including Westinghouse, NAC International, Halliburton, Occlusion Nuclear Solutions, Amentum, and the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center. Westinghouse will serve as the launch customer, working to secure certification from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to enable the UCS to store and transport spent fuel from its eVinci microreactor. Halliburton will lead borehole construction, Occlusion will manage subsurface operations, NAC will lead UCS fabrication and licensing, and Amentum will oversee operational safety and quality assurance.

  • The SCALEUP award was announced on April 7, 2026.

The players

Deep Isolation Nuclear, Inc.

A leading innovator in nuclear waste disposal technology that is developing technologies for nuclear waste disposal in deep boreholes.

Westinghouse

A launch customer that will work with Deep Isolation to secure certification from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to enable the UCS to store and transport spent fuel from its eVinci microreactor.

Halliburton

A company that will lead borehole construction for the Deep Isolation project.

Occlusion Nuclear Solutions

A company that will manage subsurface operations for the Deep Isolation project.

Amentum

A company that will oversee operational safety and quality assurance for the Deep Isolation project.

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What they’re saying

“Being selected for this award is the single biggest milestone in Deep Isolation's history. It validates years of pioneering work on the Universal Canister System and positions us to deliver the world's first full-scale, end-to-end, commercial-ready deep borehole disposal solution. We are creating a deployable, regulatory-approved system that will transform how the world manages nuclear waste safely, efficiently, and permanently.”

— Rod Baltzer, President and CEO at Deep Isolation

“The integration of UCS with our eVinci™ microreactor technology provides a comprehensive solution for managing spent nuclear fuel through its entire lifecycle. This partnership showcases the impact of innovation, where we are merging our next-generation nuclear technology with a reliable, economical and adaptable method for handling nuclear waste. The Commercial Pilot will generate valuable insights which will set the stage for wider adoption and global confidence in advanced nuclear solutions.”

— Dr. Lou Martinez Sancho, Westinghouse Chief Technology Officer

“Deep boreholes have long been considered a promising solution for spent nuclear fuel and high-level nuclear waste disposal. Amentum is excited to work with Deep Isolation and its collaborators to move this concept toward commercialization and turn it into a practical reality.”

— Mark Whitney, President Energy & Environment at Amentum

What’s next

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The takeaway

This award validates Deep Isolation's pioneering work on the Universal Canister System and positions the company to deliver the world's first full-scale, commercial-ready deep borehole disposal solution, which could transform how nuclear waste is managed globally.