EURATOM Research and Training Programme

The European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) was established by the EURATOM Treaty in 1957 (consolidated version of 2016) with the aim of coordinating Member States’ research programmes, ensuring the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and promoting the sharing of knowledge, infrastructure, and funding in this field. Although it is a legal entity separate from the European Union, it is governed by the EU’s institutions (the Commission and the Council) and falls under the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Within this framework, the EURATOM Research and Training Programme—which complements the Horizon Europe Framework Programme and adopts the same instruments and rules for participation—is a funding instrument for nuclear research and innovation in Europe.

The programme runs from 2021 to 2027, having been initially set for 2021–2025, with a budget of approximately 1.38 billion euros, and was subsequently extended through 2027, with an additional budget of 330 million euros, to align it with the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the Horizon Europe programme.

The programme's objectives are:

• Develop fusion energy as a source of electricity;
• Improving nuclear safety, radiation protection, radioactive waste management, and the decommissioning of facilities;
• Strengthen skills and training in the nuclear sector;
• Support European nuclear safety policies.

The programme focuses on indirect research and innovation actions in the areas of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. With regard to nuclear fission, the indirect actions are complemented by direct actions carried out by the European Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC) under a separate work programme.

The fusion component of the EURATOM Programme supports the research and innovation needed to make fusion energy a viable solution for the production of clean electricity on an industrial scale, contributing to carbon neutrality by 2050. For the period 2026–2027, while maintaining a focus on scientific excellence—notably through the EUROfusion Partnership—the programme also strengthens support for the development of the European fusion industry, promoting the emergence and growth of innovative startups and SMEs in this field.

The fission component of the EURATOM Programme supports research and innovation aimed at ensuring the highest standards of nuclear safety, radiation protection, spent fuel management, radioactive waste management, and decommissioning. For the period 2026–2027, the programme gives special priority to safety research related to the long-term operation of existing nuclear power plants, as well as to the development of new reactor types, including small modular reactors (SM Rs) and advanced reactors. At the same time, it strengthens European Partnerships in the areas of waste management (EURAD-2), nuclear materials (CONNECT-NM), and radiation protection (PIANOFORTE). It also includes support for research on non-power applications of ionising radiation, particularly to ensure the supply of medical radioisotopes in Europe, which are essential in areas such as cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Partnerships under the EURATOM Research and Training Programme

Much of the EURATOM Programme is implemented through the following European Partnerships:

• Co-funded European Partnership for Radiation Protection Research (PIANOFORTE), based on the research priorities identified in the roadmap developed by the European Joint Programme for the Integration of Radiation Protection Research (CONCERT).
• Co-funded European Partnership for Fusion Research (EUROfusion), implemented by the European EUROfusion consortium, which paves the way for fusion reactors by coordinating European research and development efforts in this field.
• Co-financed European Partnership for Radioactive Waste Management (EURAD-2), which builds on the European Joint Programme for Radioactive Waste Management (EURAD).
• Co-funded European Partnership for Research on Nuclear Materials (CONNECT-NM), which builds on the results of the ORIENT-NM Coordination and Support Action (Organization of the European Community for Research on Nuclear Materials).

• A European Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for fusion energy, to be launched as part of the 2026–2027 Work Programme, with the goal of strengthening industry involvement and developing technologies for future fusion power plants.

Calls and Funding Opportunities

Funding is awarded through Calls for proposals, published on the European Commission's Funding and Tenders Portal.

Opportunities include:

• Collaborative research projects;
• Training and skills development initiatives;
• Access to research infrastructure;
• Awards – SOFT Innovation Prize and Nuclear Innovation Prize
• Researcher mobility, specifically Postdoctoral Fellowships “Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions” (MSCA).

EURATOM/IAEA survey (List of contacts)

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Through its National Delegates and National Contact Points, FCT ensures national representation and coordinates the promotion of research and innovation activities related to the EURATOM Research and Training Programme for 2021–2027.