Isotope Production and Applications

February 4, 2008 :: Notice: The Department of Energy announces in its FY 2009 Congressional Budget Request the intent to transfer the DOE Isotope Program from the Office of Nuclear Energy to the Office of Science’s (SC) Office of Nuclear Physics (NP). Subject to Congressional Appropriation, under the NP program, the Isotope Program would be entitled “Isotope Production and Applications”.

The focus of the Isotope Production and Applications program will be on supporting the research, development, and production of stable and radioactive isotopes, and making them more readily available to respond to the needs of the Nation, including an initiative aimed at the research, development and production of research isotopes. NP plans to work with the SC Office of Biological and Environmental Research, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the scientific community in considering the findings and recommendations of the jointly sponsored NIH and DOE study by the National Academy of Sciences entitled the “State of the Science of Nuclear Medicine” issued in September 2007, as part of the process for identifying research and isotope production priorities.

The Department recognizes that radioisotopes are high-priority commodities that are essential for successful energy, medical and national security applications and outcomes. During this transition period, the Department will continue production of its current portfolio of isotope products and related services for both commercial and research customers, and will continue isotope deliveries as scheduled in any existing contractual arrangements.

The NP program has the expertise and a strong history in operating facilities and developing technologies that are relevant to the production of stable and radioactive isotopes. Details about the Nuclear Physics Program can be found at http://www.sc.doe.gov/np/ and about the existing DOE Isotope Program within the Office of Nuclear Energy at http://www.ne.doe.gov/isotopes/neIsotopes2a.html.