THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AWARD ARE TO FUND A PROJECT THAT WILL ENHANCE THE CHANCES FOR USING SILICON-CARBIDE CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE CLADDING ON NUCLEAR FUEL RODS IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL TOWARD MEETING DOE’S ACCIDENT TOLERANT FUEL (ATF) PROGRAM GOALS. IN COOPERATION WITH AN EXISTING U.S. UTILITY, THE AWARDEE WILL AFFECT AN EARLIER NEAR-TERM IRRADIATION OF ITS SILICON-CARBIDE CERAMIC MATRIX CONCEPT IN AN EXISTING U.S. COMMERCIAL REACTOR THAN WOULD BE POSSIBLE UNDER ANY EXISTING REACTOR PROGRAMS.