An international grant will allow an NC State educator to assist an Eastern European country in safely transitioning to nuclear energy.

Robert Hayes, associate professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering, recently received a Fulbright Award, which supports research, teaching and projects between the U.S. and more than 120 participating countries.

Through this prestigious grant, Hayes will educate leaders in the country of Moldova on nuclear energy and help them navigate the transition from natural gas. 

“There is still a lot of public fear there surrounding the use of nuclear energy, as they have a border with Ukraine and many associate the use of nuclear energy with unacceptable radiological risk, such as Chernobyl,” Hayes said. “They need an expert in radiation safety and nuclear energy to teach and interact with elected officials, the public and government employees on actual risks and implications associated with modern and advanced nuclear energy.”

More than 400,000 people have participated in the Fulbright program, with dozens going on to become Nobel Laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners and MacArthur Fellows. NC State has been recognized as one of the universities with the highest number of students, faculty and administrators selected for both the Fulbright U.S. Student and Fulbright U.S. Scholar Programs.

Hayes will travel to Moldova from November 22 to December 5, 2026.

“Moldova wants to have a modern, clean, reliable and sustainable electricity supply as offered by nuclear energy, and I am very happy to assist them in this effort,” Hayes said.