Steven Chu, Secretary of US Energy, announced almost $9 million in awards designed to help generate interest and support for the next generation of nuclear energy development in the United States. The program is called the Nuclear Energy University Program and is funded by the Department of Engery (DOE). The DOE will provide almost $3 million in scholarships or fellowships to more than 85 nuclear science and nuclear engineering students within the U.S. An additional $6 million is being made available for grants to 29 universities and colleges in the U.S. across 23 states. The Nuclear Energy Universities Program (NEUP) helps to drive the U.S.'s nuclear power research programs within schools around the country. The hope is to attract and retain undergraduate and graduate students of the highest caliber within the nuclear science and engineering programs. Money for research environments and infrastructure is being made available to colleges and universities in an attempt to help them attract exceptional students in the field of nuclear energy. With the present nuclear energy staff aging and 50% being eligible for retirement within the next 10 years the DOE has a very serious and legitimate concern about falling behind or becoming under staffed.