International Atomic Energy Agency

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is a United Nations organization established in 1957 to promote the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies and to contribute to the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons.

Portugal is one of the founding member states of the IAEA. The Agency is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, where the General Conference is held annually. As of December 2025, it had 181 member states.

The Permanent Mission of Portugal to the International Organizations in Vienna represents Portugal at the IAEA—specifically on the Governing Board—through its ambassador.

Cooperation between Portugal and the IAEA is carried out through the Country Program Framework, a document that sets out the priorities for cooperation between Portugal and the IAEA for each programming period.

The IAEA has several partners in Portugal, depending on the field, e.g., regulation, public health, technical cooperation, and emergencies (Portuguese Environment Agency, Health Regulatory Authority, Foundation for Science and Technology, Inspectorate-General for Agriculture, the Sea, the Environment, and Spatial Planning).

Technical Cooperation Program

The FCT ensures the dissemination of information and provides support for Portuguese participation in initiatives promoted by the IAEA.

These initiatives include:

• participation of Portuguese experts and researchers in scientific and technical projects;
• participation in training courses, workshops, technical meetings, and other activities organized by the IAEA;
• hosting, in Portugal, interns supported by the IAEA (fellowships);
• organization, in Portugal, of technical meetings sponsored by the IAEA.

The Technical Cooperation Program is carried out in various geographic areas. Portugal is part of the Europe and Central Asia region , which comprises 33 member states, 15 of which belong to the European Union.

The " Europe Regional Profile 2022–2027 " document identifies four priority areas:

• nuclear and radiological safety;
• nuclear energy;
• human health;
• applications of isotope and radiation technologies.

The Technical Cooperation Program is carried out through:

• Regional projects, which promote cooperation between the IAEA and a group of member states from the same region;
• National projects carried out jointly by the IAEA and a Member State;
• Interregional projects, which promote cooperation among Member States from different geographic regions.

The IAEA regularly organizes training courses, workshops, technical meetings, scientific missions, and other initiatives for its member states.

The participation of Portuguese experts and researchers is contingent upon national nomination by the National Liaison Officer (NLO), with the support of the National Liaison Assistant (NLA), and is subsequently subject to the IAEA’s selection process.

Those interested should register on the InTouch+ platform, where they can:

• check the available opportunities in the " My Eligible Events" section;
• access event documentation;
• submit applications.

The InTouch+ platform is the primary means of accessing participation opportunities offered by the IAEA under the Technical Cooperation Program.

Areas of expertise

Cooperation with the IAEA is an important component of national science and technology policy, covering a wide range of peaceful applications of nuclear technology that benefit health, the environment, safety, innovation, and socioeconomic development:

• Human Health ( Radiation Therapy, Nuclear Medicine, Medical Imaging, Medical Physics, and Dosimetry)
• Radiation protection and nuclear safety ( including emergency preparedness and response)
• Decommissioning of nuclear facilities and liability management ( preparation for the decommissioning of the Portuguese Research Reactor, radiological characterization, radioactive waste management, and capacity building)
• Zoonotic Diseases and Pandemic Preparedness ( Molecular Diagnostics and Epidemiological Surveillance)
• Agriculture and food security ( crop improvement, pest control, livestock production, and food safety)
• Sustainable water resources management ( isotope hydrology, aquifer characterization and protection)
• Environmental protection and monitoring ( terrestrial and marine ecosystems, pollution, and climate change)
• Environmental restoration of former mining areas ( radiological characterization, remediation of uranium mines, waste management, and post-restoration monitoring)
• Industrial applications of nuclear technologies ( non-destructive testing, radiation processing, sterilization, and quality control)
• Cultural Heritage ( Characterization and Conservation of Cultural Assets Using Nuclear Techniques)
• Training, capacity building, and international scientific cooperation ( Studentships, courses, research networks, and technical assistance)