FIRST is a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation.
A key deliverable from President Biden’s 2021 Leaders’ Summit on Climate, the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Program is a multiagency U.S. government initiative that provides capacity building support to help partner countries safely and responsibly build a small modular reactor (SMR) or other advanced reactor program.
FIRST helps partner countries:
- establish a nuclear power program under the highest international standards for nuclear security, safety, and nonproliferation,
- take advantage of next generation nuclear innovations and technologies in their sustainable energy plans,
- meet their clean, reliable energy goals while protecting the global climate we all share; and
- deepen relationships through government, industry, national laboratory, and university engagements.
FIRST is designed specifically to support countries considering SMRs or other advanced reactors to meet their clean energy needs with secure and safe nuclear power. These innovative technologies offer significant benefits, including:
- lower costs
- scalability to meet the grid size
- siting flexibility and small footprint
- ability to partner with other clean energy sources such as wind and solar power, and
- a range of applications, such as desalination, industrial processes, district heating, and hydrogen production.
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Subject to program criteria and funding availability, FIRST offers a capacity-building supplement to interested partner countries that are new to civilian nuclear energy as well as to those seeking to expand their nuclear power programs with SMR or other advanced reactor technologies. Successful FIRST engagements can deepen strategic ties and advance technical collaboration with partner nations on secure and safe nuclear energy infrastructure.
The FIRST Program maintains this site as a portal for information on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.