The Idaho State University has established an Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (INSE) with approval from the Idaho State Board of Education in 2003. The Institute is a collaborative entity among ISU, University of Idaho and Boise State University. Under the INSE's administrative umbrella, the three universities jointly focus on nuclear science and engineering education at the combined Idaho Falls campus. Nuclear-related research in conjunction with the new Idaho National Laboratory is also coordinated through the INSE at University Place in Idaho Falls.

• Reactor research, centered at ISU, rationalized by Generation IV, focused on building core capabilities in the base technology areas (e.g. reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, safety design and analysis, fuels development, computational methods).
  


• Fuel cycle research, centered at U of I, rationalized by the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative, focused on the nuclear-related disciplines that are U of I strengths (e.g. chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, etc.).
  


• Energy policy and systems studies, centered at Boise State University, which directly support a key element of the Battelle Center for Advanced Energy Studies, the Energy Policy Institute.
  


• Nuclear aspects of national security, supported by all three institutions.