Today, the European Commission adopted the Euratom Work Programme 2023-2025, implementing the Euratom Research and Training Programme and supporting nuclear researchers with €132 million in funding. This call for proposals will focus on the safety of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), development of nuclear materials and the secure management and disposal of radioactive waste.
The general objective of the Euratom Programme is to pursue nuclear research and training, including the continued improvement of nuclear safety, security of supply and radiation protection. The Euratom Programme complements the achievement of Horizon Europe’s objectives. Thanks to the Programme, Euratom is also ensuring EU leadership in the development of fusion energy. The new Work Programme will provide support to international fusion materials irradiation facility – IFMIF-DONES. The construction phase has officially started in Granada, Spain on 16 March 2023.
Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said:
The new 2023-2025 Euratom Research and Training Work Programme is increasing the EU’s security of energy supply while ensuring the highest standards of safety. And we are proud to mention that the Programme further strengthens the cooperation with Ukrainian research entities and academia. The Euratom Research and Training Programme is a crucial part of the European Union’s efforts to keep technological leadership and to promote excellence in nuclear research and innovation.
Most of the research and innovation – fusion energy, nuclear materials, radioactive waste management and radiation protection – will be carried out through co-funded European Partnerships. This new generation of Partnerships, involving a wide range of public and private partners, should achieve a greater impact. This new approach capitalises on a decade of efforts by the European Commission, Member States and stakeholders to ensure more sustainable and inclusive research, creating stronger links between EU and national policies.
In addition to the Partnerships, the Programme supports initiatives and collaborative projects in nuclear safety, education and training, infrastructures and cross-cutting components including circularity.
The Euratom Programme is also seeking synergies in medical application of ionising radiation, including improvements in the quality and safety of such applications as outlined in the SAMIRA action plan in line with other Horizon Europe activities and Commission initiatives (Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the Cancer Mission).
The Euratom Programme is actively promoting short- and long-term research and competences for the use of nuclear sciences and technologies, in the context of the energy transition and the EU efforts to decarbonize its economy by 2050.
Next steps
The European Commission invites you to the event Euratom Research in Action and Opportunities for Europe: EU Strategic Autonomy and the Future Energy Systems that will take place on 4 April 2023 from 8:30-14:00. The meeting will be by invitation only at Charlemagne building in Brussels. It will be live-streamed.
This Euratom meeting will present the main priorities of the Work Programme 2023-2025 managed by DG Research and Innovation and will focus on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). A Declaration on ‘EU SMR 2030: Research, Innovation, Education & Training in the safety of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the European Union’ will be signed by Commissioner Gabriel and EU nuclear stakeholders: Nucleareurope, SNETP, ENS and ENEN.
The details on the Euratom call for proposals is available on the Commission’s Funding and Tenders Portal.
More information
Euratom Research and Training Programme
Fusion energy
Regulation establishing the Euratom Programme 2021-2025
Young professionals in the nuclear field
Press contact:
EC Spokesperson for Research, Science and Innovation
