Euratom

1.98 billion

Nuclear research and training (safety, efficiency and security)

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DG / Responsible Agencies: RTD | JRC

Potential beneficiaries

Scientists and academics with expertise in nuclear fusion and fission, research organizations, universities and companies active in nuclear-related fields.

Description and objectives

The Euratom program supports nuclear research and training in the areas defined by the dedicated Euratom Treaty signed in 1957 and became one of the historical pillars of the future European Union.

Euratom complements the budget and objectives of Horizon Europe in nuclear research and training. In particular, it supports the continuous improvement of nuclear safety and the development of solutions that can contribute to the efficient and safe decarbonization of energy systems. In particular, the program pursues the following objectives:

• Improved nuclear safety (protection, radiation shielding, safe management and decommissioning of spent fuel and radioactive waste, safe and secure use of nuclear energy and non-energy applications of ionizing radiation);
• Maintaining and developing Europe’s skills and capabilities in the nuclear field, particularly in education, training, and access to research infrastructure;
• Development of nuclear fusion as a potential future source of energy (the subject of a European roadmap, with a 2050 horizon);
• Support for the Union’s policy of continuous improvement of nuclear safety and safeguards (mainly through independent scientific advice and the work of the Joint Research Center-JRC);

Types of actions and projects

Euratom funds studies, training, and other actions in the fields of fusion research and nuclear safety, radioactive waste and spent fuel management, radiation protection in the use of ionizing radiation applications (e.g., nuclear medicine), nuclear capacity building, and other nuclear-related issues.

In the period 2021-2025, maintaining nuclear expertise and supporting research for nuclear safety (under the Nuclear Safety Directive) will maintain priority.

Additional funds in these areas are provided under ITER (nuclear fusion) and programs for the disactivation, nuclear safety and decommissioning.

Highlights

As mentioned earlier, Euratom has a long history. Compared with the 2014-2020 Euratom program, the new Euratom program provides for greater uniformity and coherence of objectives and actions and provides for greater synergy with Horizon Europe, particularly in the field of medical application of radiation. Strengthens nuclear education and training actions and provides a new funding line dedicated to nuclear researchers (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions).