On the 7th March 2023, the World Nuclear News published an article on recent funding received by the Nuclear Futures Institute to develop nuclear thermal propulsion systems for space exploration. This work is being led by Dr. Phylis Makurunje alongside Prof. Simon Middleburgh. The article states:
Bangor University in Wales will develop a nuclear thermal fuel system to support deep space exploration with funding provided by the UK Space Agency. It is one of eight projects receiving a total of GBP1.6 million (USD1.9 million) in funding through the agency’s Enabling Space Exploration fund.