POCATELLO — Idaho State University and Idaho Falls–based NuCube Energy marked the site of their planned Advanced Research and Test Reactor (ART) on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, at ISU’s Business and Research Park — with Gov. Brad Little among the speakers recognizing the partnership.
ISU and NuCube were selected in 2026 for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Nuclear Reactor Innovation Center Launch Pad USA program. The university plans to design and commission a compact functional microreactor on campus for education, applied research, operator training, and technology demonstration — not as a commercial power plant for the grid.
What is planned
The ART is designed as a small university research microreactor using NuCube’s advanced platform (TRISO fuel and heat-pipe cooling). To maximize research flexibility, the facility is intended to provide direct access to heat rather than a power-conversion system for electricity. The surrounding campus facility is meant to support experiments, testing, student training, and next-generation energy technology work.
ISU already operates an instructional research reactor (since 1965) and is one of only about two dozen U.S. universities with a nuclear reactor. It also hosts the state’s only ABET-accredited nuclear engineering undergraduate program — a track record leaders cited as central to the Launch Pad USA selection.
Why it matters for Idaho
Little framed the project as part of Idaho’s role building energy technology and workforce: “Idaho is not a great place to sell energy. It’s a great place to build it.” ISU President Robert Wagner tied the partnership to the university’s Contract for Idaho commitments on energy, workforce, partnerships, and the state economy. NuCube CEO Cristian Rabiti called it “building a partnership of innovation,” and Idaho National Laboratory Deputy Director Todd Combs noted generations of ISU students have earned operator licenses on the existing reactor — with hundreds more expected to train on the new one.
The project remains in planning and is subject to design work, federal review, licensing, and approvals before construction. Public updates and engagement are planned as the effort advances.
Project Quick Facts:
Photo: Courtesy Idaho State University — future-site sign for the ISU Advanced Research & Test Reactor (site designation, Sept. 16, 2026).
Sources: Idaho State University news release, “Site Revealed for one of the World’s Most Advanced Nuclear Reactors…” (Sept. 16, 2026); Idaho State Journal / Post Register, “ISU, NuCube Energy announce site for new campus nuclear reactor” (Jayden Barfuss, Sept. 17, 2026); ISU ART project pages (isu.edu/artreactor).
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