JRC in Euratom Research and Training Programme − 2014–2020

Abstract

The Euratom Research and Training Programme 2014–2018 and its extension 2019–2020 (the Euratom Programme) is implemented through direct actions in fission − i.e. research performed by the Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), and through indirect actions in fission– i.e. via competitive calls for proposals, and in fusion − i.e. through a comprehensive named-beneficiary co-fund action managed by the Commission's Directorate-General for Research & Innovation (RTD). The general objective of the Programme is “to pursue nuclear research and training activities with an emphasis on the continuous improvement of nuclear safety, security and radiation protection, in particular to potentially contribute to the long-term decarbonisation of the energy system in a safe, efficient and secure way.” The Programme is an integral part of Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The direct actions implemented by the JRC constitute an important part of the Euratom Programme and pursue specific objectives covering: nuclear safety, radioactive waste management, decommissioning, emergency preparedness; nuclear security, safeguards and non-proliferation; standardisation; knowledge management; education and training; and support to the policy of the Union on these fields. The JRC multi-annual work programme for nuclear activities fully reflects the aforementioned objectives. It is structured in about 20 projects, and allocates 48% of its resources to nuclear safety, waste management, decommissioning and emergency preparedness, 33% to nuclear security, safeguards and non-proliferation, 12% to reference standards, nuclear science and non-energy applications and 7% to education, training and knowledge management. To ensure that direct actions are in line with and complement the research and training needs of Member States, JRC is continuously interacting with the main research and scientific institutions in the EU, and actively participating in several technological platforms and associations. JRC also participates as part of the consortia in indirect actions, which allows JRC scientist to engage in top level scientific research, and yields maintaining and further developing JRC's scientific excellence. At the same time, the members of the consortia can have access to unique research infrastructure. The participation of JRC in indirect actions can be improved by exploiting synergies inside the Euratom Programme, and also with the future Horizon Europe Framework Programme. In preparation of the next Euratom Programme 2021–2025, two pilot projects on knowledge management and on open access to JRC research infrastructure will explore and test this improved involvement of JRC in indirect actions. The paper highlights some of the achievements of recent JRC direct actions with a focus on the interaction with EU MS research organisations, as well as some of the most important elements of the Commission Proposal for the next (2021–2025) Euratom Programme, with a focus on the new positioning of the JRC as regards its participation in indirect actions.