The next generation nuclear energy, including fission & fusion energy systems, plays a crucial role in the development of a sustainable and low-carbon society. Many of the critical structural components inside a next generation nuclear energy system will be subjected to a harsh application environment including high temperature, high energy and high flux neutron radiation, and chemical corrosion by coolants, which likely impose a grand challenge for most incumbent metallic materials. Advanced materials based on inorganic nonmetallic materials are expected to provide a range of material solutions for achieving higher fuel burning rate and efficiency, improved economic benefits, an inherently safe reactor with long-term stability, and immobilization of radiation nuclear wastes. Currently, the incorporation of advanced ceramics would allow engineers to design a nuclear fuel system that would be more accident tolerant during the loss of cooling system as compared to the UO2-Zircalloy system currently employed for light water and pressurized water reactors. Fine-grained graphite and ceramic-based composites have been widely considered for structural components in various high temperature reactors (HTR). On the other hand, advanced ceramic materials could have the potential to advance radiation detection and secure waste immobilization technologies. Therefore, the aim of this symposium is to provide an open forum for materials scientists and nuclear engineers from around the world to share their up-to-date progress and exchange views on the development of various advanced materials for next generation nuclear energy and application experiences of these materials in design of reactors, fuels, and waste treatment.