Research InstituteCEA institute at the Cadarache Centre in France dedicated to magnetic confinement fusion; it operates the WEST tokamak.
Nuclear fusion technology for clean, abundant energy generation
The field
Definition
Nuclear fusion technology for clean, abundant energy generation
Field at a glance
Tokamaks confine plasma in donut-shaped magnetic fields. High-temperature superconducting magnets enable smaller, more powerful tokamaks. Inertial confinement uses lasers or pulsed power to compress fuel. Field-reversed configurations trap plasma in compact magnetic structures. Stellarators use complex 3D magnetic fields for steady-state operation.
Fusion power plants would provide 24/7 carbon-free baseload electricity. Compact fusion reactors could power data centers, ships, and remote facilities. Fusion neutrons could produce medical isotopes and transmute nuclear waste. Fusion-powered desalination could address water scarcity.
Private fusion companies have attracted $6+ billion in cumulative investment. If commercially successful, fusion would address the $10+ trillion global energy market with virtually unlimited clean fuel.
Money and ways in
public-programThe DOE Fusion Energy Sciences Postdoctoral Research Program offers recent doctoral graduates fusion and plasma research experience, with a…
academic
fellowship
fellowship
academic
trainingVirtual, centrally managed teams connect basic fusion research with industry-informed needs.
academic
fellowshipThe University of Rochester’s Horton Fellowship supports PhD students with full tuition, a competitive stipend, hands-on laser-system exper…
internship
bootcampThe IGNITE Fusion Innovation Bootcamp is a fully funded two-week program for 15 US university students; the inaugural 2026 edition ran June…
public-program
public-programINFUSE connects private-sector fusion technology research with expertise and capabilities at U.S. national laboratories and accredited univ…
academic
internship
training
public-programITER's Private Sector Fusion Engagement gives fusion startups from ITER Member countries access to ITER documentation, experts, open-source…
public-program
internship
internshipMoonshot Goal 10 is a JST government R&D program to realize diverse applications of fusion energy by 2050, funding projects on neutron sour…
internshipA ten-week summer internship giving undergraduate and graduate students practical National Laboratory experience.
internshipAn undergraduate research internship providing experience in plasma physics and fusion-energy research.
internship
trainingAn early-career apprenticeship scheme covering engineering, science, and business or professional support.
fellowship
internship
public-programUKAEA’s Fusion Futures aims to advance commercial fusion and near-term UK economic value, with objectives spanning fusion research, interna…
public-programUKAEA's Fusion Industry Programme awarded contracts to UK firms for fusion technologies, including GBP 8.1M in 2026; UKAEA says it will clo…
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