US-based NANO Nuclear Energy announced that US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has formally accepted the previously submitted Construction Permit Application (CPA) for the deployment of the Company’s KRONOS MMR at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.).
The CPA was submitted to the NRC on March 31, 2026, by the U. of I., NANO Nuclear’s partner for the planned full-scale KRONOS MMR reactor at the university.
Acceptance of the CPA signifies that the application contains sufficient information for the NRC to begin its formal safety, environmental, and technical review process. The original submission and the NRC’s formal acceptance represent a major advancement toward construction, licensing, and deployment of the KRONOS MMR system.
Generation IV advanced nuclear reactor
The KRONOS MMR system is now among a small group of Generation IV advanced nuclear reactors, and the Company believes the first commercially-ready microreactor to progress to the CPA stage of the U.S. NRC’s formal licensing process.
Based on NANO Nuclear’s current understanding of the anticipated scope and review process, the Company estimates the NRC formal review will be completed in 2027, providing the opportunity for NANO Nuclear to begin nuclear construction activities at the U. of I. in the second half of 2027.
NANO Nuclear believes this milestone further reinforces the KRONOS MMR’s position among advanced microreactor programs progressing through U.S. regulatory pathways.
The Kronos modular microreactor
“Acceptance of the Construction Permit Application for review confirms that the NRC has determined the submission contains the information necessary to begin detailed technical evaluation,” said Florent Heidet, Chief Technical Officer of NANO Nuclear Energy.
“Advancing to this stage reflects years of engineering, regulatory engagement, and disciplined execution, as well as the substantial work required to support formal review of an advanced reactor design. Entering the NRC review process is an important progression for the KRONOS MMR program and further reinforces our transition from development toward deployment.
KRONOS MMR is NANO Nuclear’s proprietary, stationary high-temperature gas-cooled microreactor under development, designed to provide clean, reliable energy for applications including data centers, industrial facilities, remote communities, and mining projects, and military bases, in addition to process heat for various end markets.
