SMR Summer School 2026 Program
Multiple fast-neutron reactors are among the crop of advanced small modular reactors being developed and deployed around the world. Argonne National Laboratory, located outside of Chicago, Illinois, is the U.S. hub for fast-reactor research and development, including designing, building, and operating the first sodium-cooled fast reactors in the 1950s and 1960s. Argonne has also pioneered many of the nuclear fuel cycle technologies that support fast reactor deployment and operation, including those involved in fuel fabrication and irradiated fuel reprocessing.
The 2026 NEST SMR Summer School will draw from the wealth of past and ongoing fast reactor and fuel cycle research and expertise at Argonne to provide participants a thorough look at the factors that a national authority or utility would need to consider in the fast-reactor development and deployment process. The school’s curriculum centers on a reactor and fuel cycle design and development exercise that will challenge participants to weigh the technical, energy, and societal trade-offs of different dimensions of fast-neutron reactor development.
Over the course of the week at Argonne, the school’s lectures and activities will address the following:
- Basics of fast neutron reactor design and operation
- Fast-reactor fuel development and fabrication
- Options for managing the full lifecycle for fast reactor fuel, including disposal and recycling
- Nuclear safeguards and security challenges
- Development and deployment challenges for SMRs
In addition, the summer school will provide participants with opportunities to refine their professional and scientific skill sets and to visit relevant facilities and locations on and off site.
The school will include lectures and discussions on technical topics related to deployment of SMRs and advanced fuel cycles, professional development courses, tours, and dedicated time for student groups to prepare their closing presentation. A draft agenda with topics that will be covered at the school is below. A full agenda will be provided to participants before the summer school.
Draft Agenda
| Monday June 15, 2026 | Sodium-cooled fast reactors and fuel cycles |
| Fast reactor technology | |
| Advanced fuel cycles | |
| Reprocessing of used fuel | |
| Tuesday June 16, 2026 | Safeguards and security by design |
| Safeguarding reactors and fuel cycles | |
| Security by design | |
| Wednesday June 17, 2026 | Waste management and deployment considerations |
| Deployment challenges and international considerations | |
| Waste management and disposal | |
| Thursday June 18, 2026 | Safety and lessons learned |
| Lessons from EBR-II | |
| Safety characteristics of fast reactor fuels | |
| Friday June 19, 2026 | Closing |
| Group presentations | |
| Closing ceremony |