b'A N N UA L R E P O R T 2021Allied with EducationNational University ConsortiumINLs main conduit for conductingUniversity members get an scientific initiatives withinside look at the topics INL academic partners is the Nationaland the Department of Energy University Consortium (NUC),are interested in researching, founded in 2005 in collaborationopportunities to collaborate on with Massachusetts Institutefunded research, and excellent of Technology, Oregon Statecareer placement opportunities for University, North Carolinatheir students. Through partnership State University, The Ohio Statewith INL, faculty can contribute University and University of Newto program developing research Mexico. NUC members engage inopportunitiesmany of which, like collaborative research aimed atthe Laboratory Directed Research furthering and accomplishing theand Development program, would United States energy and criticalnot be available to them without a infrastructure security goals. connection to a national lab.NUC member institutions have supplied INL with outstanding postdoctoral researchers, interns and joint Developingappointments. local talent is as important as recruiting from around the world19'