The National Academies will examine the requirements for waste form technology and performance in the context of the disposal system in which the waste form will be emplaced. Findings and recommendations will be developed to assist DOE in making decisions for improving current methods for processing radioactive wastes and for selecting and fabricating waste forms for disposal. The study will identify and describe:* Essential characteristics of waste forms that will govern their performance within relevant disposal systems. This study will focus on disposal systems associated with high-cost waste streams such as high-level tank waste and calcine but include some consideration of low-level and transuranic waste disposal.* Scientific, technical, regulatory, and legal factors that underpin requirements for waste form performance.* The state-of-the-art tests and models of waste forms used to predict their performance for time periods appropriate to their disposal system.* Potential modifications of waste form production methods that may lead to more efficient production of waste forms that meet their performance requirements.* Potential new waste forms that may offer enhanced performance or lead to more efficient production.The committee will not make recommendations on applications of particular production methods or waste forms to specific EM waste streams.The project is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Environmental ManagementThe approximate start date for the project is……04/01/2009.A report will be issued at the end of the project in approximately 14 months.“Note (05-10-2010): The project duration has been extended through 9-30-2010. An interim report is expected to be issued in June 2010, following which the final report will be issued.”