Enhancing the European nuclear competence area

Code: 40231 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2026-01-03 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 15/09/2026

The purpose is to support the programme’s objective of maintaining and enhancing the EU’s nuclear competences in the field of nuclear safety, security, safeguards, radioactive waste management and radiation protection.

The consortium would implement a comprehensive and sustainable pan-European E&T programme in the areas related to the use of nuclear engineering and technologies (including ionising radiation applications beyond nuclear energy). The action should build on activities that have been previously developed under Euratom and other EU programmes and should complement national efforts when appropriate.

The project should use results from previously conducted analyses to streamline the effort to build up the skills and competences needed for the safe development of the nuclear sector. It should generate EU added value by complementing national educational and training programmes in order to ensure that sufficient and skilled staff are available for the sector.

The action should foster a long-term career perspective within the field (considering current job trends and their evolution; and investigating what is needed to make the nuclear sector attractive to talented people). Human resources specialists should be involved. To ensure continuity and avoid duplication, the action should be led by experienced EU actors (see ENEN2plus, Skills4Nuclear).

European Partnership for research in radiation protection and detection of ionising radiation

Code: 40228 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2026-01-09 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 15/09/2026

The Commission invites proposals for the establishment of the European Partnership for research into radiation protection and detection of ionising radiation.

Proposed partnerships should fulfil the requirements set out in this topic as well as meet the criteria for the selection and implementation of European partnerships and their monitoring, evaluation, phase-out or renewal as set in the Horizon Europe Regulation.

Safety of operating nuclear power plants and research reactors

Code: 40225 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2026-01-01 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 15/09/2026

Euratom research will be driven by the increasing importance of long-term operation (LTO) and by the fact that the current and planned innovative fleet will consist mainly of light water-cooled reactors.

Support for the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform to address cross-sectoral challenges and non-power applications of ionising radiation

Code: 40222 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2026-01-06 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 15/09/2026

SNETP is a European technology and innovation platform (ETIP) that supports and promotes the safe, secure, reliable and efficient operation of nuclear systems. Rapidly developing non-power applications of ionising radiation (e.g. in the health, industrial and space sectors) will require long-term effort to reduce safety risks and support the development of safe nuclear technologies and optimal radiation protection.

Co-funded European partnership for research in nuclear materials

Code: 40219 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2026-01-08 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 15/09/2026

Η επιστήμη των υλικών είναι ένας από τους κύριους μοχλούς της τεχνολογικής ανάπτυξης και της βιομηχανικής καινοτομίας. Στον πυρηνικό τομέα, η έρευνα υλικών διαδραματίζει κρίσιμο ρόλο στη βελτίωση της ασφάλειας, της αποδοτικότητας και της οικονομίας των πυρηνικών εγκαταστάσεων. Υποστηρίζει τεχνολογικές βελτιώσεις και βελτιώσεις ασφαλείας σε υφιστάμενους πυρηνικούς αντιδραστήρες και σε νέες κατασκευές. Επίσης, επιτρέπει την ανάπτυξη προηγμένων σχεδίων αντιδραστήρων (συμπεριλαμβανομένων των SMR).

Strengthening a European user facility for nuclear research

Code: 40216 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2026-01-04 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 15/09/2026

Ensuring access to EU and international research infrastructures is key to scientific progress in the nuclear field (including radiation protection, which is one of the foundation blocks of the European Research Area). Euratom support will be provided to cover the costs of transnational access for researchers or research teams from Member States and Associated States to EU and international state-of-the-art nuclear research infrastructures in other countries.

Towards a European production of stable isotopes for novel nuclear medicine therapies (SAMIRA/ERVI)

Code: 40213 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2026-01-05 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 15/09/2026

Radiological and nuclear technologies are integral to modern healthcare. They play a crucial role in cancer care – from early detection and diagnosis to treatment and palliative support.

They also support the diagnosis and management of a wide range of other conditions (including cardiovascular and neurological diseases). Each year, patients throughout the EU benefit from the application of nuclear medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other serious conditions.

Safety of SMRs, advanced and innovative nuclear reactors and fuels

Code: 40210 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2026-01-02 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 15/09/2026

the Commission expects from this Topic a balanced portfolio of projects covering both LW-SMRs and AMRs with their fuel cycles. The focus on safety will also cover research and innovation needed to independently demonstrate the safety of innovative systems, critical structures for both LW-SMRs and AMRs with their fuel cycles.

Developers’ goals are systems that offer increased safety, sustainability, economic competitiveness, and also enhance fuel efficiency, minimise waste generation, foresee non-electric applications and flexibility in terms of adaptation to the energy mix with intermittent/variable sources. These innovative reactor technologies aim at including safety-by-design features. Research should also be conducted on the safety of advanced coolant technologies, reactor hybridisation and fuel designs.

SOFT Innovation Prize 2026

Code: 38169 | Identifier Code: EURATOM-2026-SOFT-PRIZE | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 03/06/2025 | End submission calls: 03/03/2026

Fusion research encompasses innovation in the domains of physics and technology over a wide range of specialisations.

Fusion researchers are constantly challenging the scientific state-of-the-art and improving the technology thereby creating the conditions for innovation, much of which can be exploited in other science and industrial sectors for the benefit of society.

The fundamental basis of the Euratom Programme is the drive and support for innovation across the product development chain from research to market. In this context the researcher plays a critical role.

European Nuclear Skills Initiative

Code: 33995 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2024-NRT-01-02 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 28/05/2024 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024

The nuclear and radiation protection sector demands a consistently high level of diverse skills, and is experiencing challenges to attract the younger generation. In this context, the Commission is offering funding through a coordination and support action for a long-term, industry-, research- and training-led public & private initiative to maintain and further develop the skills necessary to ensure the availability of high-level expertise for the safe use of current and future nuclear technologies in the EU.

Overall, the proposed strategy should contribute to maintaining the highest levels of nuclear safety and radiation protection. Achieving this objective requires the strategy to also cover aspects relevant to the recently established SMR Industrial Alliance.

European Fusion Industry Platform and preparation for a Public-Private Partnership on Fusion Energy

Code: 33993 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2024-NRT-01-01 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 28/05/2024 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024

The Commission aims to support and incentivise the European fusion community and industry and to act decisively to strengthen and deploy the EU’s technological leadership and expertise in this field. Also it aims to engage the EU fusion industry to tackle the critical bottlenecks that need to be addressed to design a first viable and cost-effective fusion power plant.

Nuclear Innovation Prize 2025

Code: 33641 | Identifier Code: EURATOM-2024-NUCLEAR-Prize | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 25/04/2024 | End submission calls: 15/10/2024

The Nuclear Innovation Prize highlights and rewards excellence in nuclear innovation in this field of research as well as the quality of the talented researchers and companies involved. The second contest will be awarded at the next Euratom Research and Training Conference(s) in Safety of Reactor Systems and Radioactive Waste Management (FISA 2025 – EURADWASTE’25).

There are three specific categories:

1. Nuclear Innovation Prize in safety of reactor systems.
2. Nuclear Innovation Prize in safety of radioactive waste management.
3. Nuclear Innovation Prize in radiation protection.

SOFT Innovation Prize 2024

Code: 30973 | Identifier Code: EURATOM-2024-SOFT-Prize | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 26/09/2023 | End submission calls: 16/01/2024

The SOFT Innovation Prize highlights and rewards excellence in innovation in fusion research as well as the quality of the researchers and industries involved.

Nuclear and radiation techniques for EU strategic autonomy, circular economy and climate change policies

Code: 28276 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2023-NRT-01-09 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 04/04/2023 | End submission calls: 08/11/2023

The development of nuclear and radiation techniques can help diversify the supply of secondary critical raw materials from non-EU countries and within Europe. Action in this area should develop EU capacity for innovative exploration and production of secondary raw materials and/or recovery/recycling of raw materials from spent nuclear fuel, e.g. rare-earth metals (lanthanides).

Innovative technologies for safety and excellence in decommissioning, including robotics and artificial intelligence

Code: 28259 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2023-NRT-01-07 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 04/04/2023 | End submission calls: 08/11/2023

Decommissioning is currently recognised as a fixed part of the nuclear facilities’ life cycle. This cannot be neglected when implementing a sustainable energy future. This also reflects the public interest and the contemporary principle of environmental sustainability related to any industrial activity. Though various dismantling techniques are at the level of industrial maturity, there are still specific challenges to achieving high safety standards, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of dismantling operations.

Improved nuclear data for the safety of energy and non-energy applications of ionising radiation

Code: 28257 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2023-NRT-01-06 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 04/04/2023 | End submission calls: 08/11/2023

Nuclear data are critical inputs – and a major source of uncertainty – in predictive modelling and simulations of energy and non-energy applications. The combination of high-power computing capabilities with the availability of advanced simulation models (and related data libraries) and more accurate nuclear data measurements enable nuclear data evaluation programmes.

Safety of advanced and innovative nuclear designs

Code: 28254 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2023-NRT-01-03 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 04/04/2023 | End submission calls: 08/11/2023

Further research and innovation is needed to demonstrate the safety of advanced systems that offer increased sustainability, new non-electricity applications and flexibility in terms of adaptation to the energy mix with intermittent/variable sources. These advanced reactor technologies could also be deployed as small modular reactors, combining their specific properties and advanced coolant technologies.

Safety of light water small modular reactors (LW-SMRs)

Code: 28244 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2023-NRT-01-02 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 04/04/2023 | End submission calls: 08/11/2023

There is growing interest in some EU Member States in using small modular reactors (SMRs) for flexible power generation. This provides the opportunity of cogeneration and enables hybrid energy systems that integrate nuclear and renewables.
Research proposals should address safety aspects on integration of LW-SMRs in the hybrid energy system, including the evaluation of optimal electric grid management and safety by design.

Harnessing innovation in nuclear science, technology and radiation protection

Code: 28242 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2023-NRT-01-10 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 04/04/2023 | End submission calls: 08/11/2023

This action aims to bring innovation, including via cross-fertilisation with other scientific and technical sectors, to radiation protection. This complements the PIANOFORTE European partnership in medical applications and emergency preparedness, alternative applications of nuclear energy, and risk communication with civil society and decision-makers.

Safety of low enriched fuel for research reactors - securing the supply of medical radioisotopes

Code: 28233 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2023-NRT-01-08 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 04/04/2023 | End submission calls: 08/11/2023

HPRRs and MPRRs are vital to a number of scientific areas, from basic research and materials research, nuclear physics, medical and life sciences to the education and training of highly qualified experts. These are essential for implementing the highest nuclear safety standards in Europe.

These first-class research reactors are mostly used for irradiation testing of existing and future materials. This enables scientific advances crucial to the development of applied technologies, production of homogeneously doped silicon for high-performance semiconductors and production of radioisotopes for industry and nuclear medicine. This enables a stronger European Health Union and a more secure, better-prepared and more resilient EU.

Co-funded European partnership for research in nuclear materials

Code: 28220 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2023-NRT-01-04 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 04/04/2023 | End submission calls: 08/11/2023

The aim of this action is to launch a co-funded European partnership, bringing together European entities that have a national mandate for research in materials science and deal with nuclear materials. They are willing to pool their resources in a concerted manner in order to achieve critical mass and improve safety as well as efficiency and effectiveness in implementing respective materials solutions in the nuclear domain across Europe.

This action aims at establishing a partnership that implements research based on proposed research lines and/or through calls for proposals.

Preparatory phase for a European production capability to secure a supply of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel

Code: 28212 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2023-NRT-01-11 Grant | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 04/04/2023 | End submission calls: 08/11/2023

This action should provide catalytic and leveraging support for a preparatory phase aiming at bringing the project to a level of maturity required to potentially enable construction work to start on the EU’s production capability. It should therefore cover all relevant outstanding issues in strategic planning, technical work, financial arrangements and financing mechanisms, project logistics and legal aspects.

The preparatory phase should aim at optimal coordination, cross-border operation and possible integration of national research actions of trans-European interest in the field. This might lead to the possible setting up or reinforcement of legal entities to achieve optimal cooperation and joint programming. The preparatory phase should aim to bring the initiatives emerging today in different fields to the level of managerial, legal and financial maturity required to implement them.

Partitioning and transmutation of minor actinides towards industrial applications

Code: 28210 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2023-NRT-01-05 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 04/04/2023 | End submission calls: 08/11/2023

This action aims to strengthen important Euratom research undertaken in previous programmes and make real advances towards demonstration of P&T processes – a key component of future fuel cycle strategies to some Member States, whether critical or sub-critical ADS advanced and innovative reactor systems. This research will improve the safety of processes by using state-of-the-art P&T technology towards a closure of the nuclear fuel cycle.

Safety of operating nuclear power plants and research reactors

Code: 28207 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2023-NRT-01-01 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 04/04/2023 | End submission calls: 08/11/2023

Euratom research will be driven by the increasing importance of long-term operation (LTO), and the fact that the current and planned innovative fleet will consist mainly of Light Water-cooled Reactors.

Safety of alternative nuclear fuel for VVER reactors

Code: 23718 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2022-NRT-01-01 | Programme name: Euratom Research and Training Programme | Start submission calls: 07/07/2022 | End submission calls: 13/10/2022

This action should focus on closer-to-the-market activities for fuel supply, including prototyping, testing, and demonstrating, in full compliance with safety standards. Proposals may include research and development activities and should demonstrate European added value.