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.