Strengthening a European user facility for nuclear research

Expected Outcome: the project results are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes: access to cutting-edge infrastructure for researchers and research teams from Euratom and Associated Countries to EU and international state-of-the-art nuclear research infrastructures; enhancing the network developed under the OFFERR project for optimised use of nuclear research infrastructures identified in the EU, thus supporting the implementation of the Euratom programme’s objectives and the establishment of the European Research Area (ERA) in the nuclear safety and radiation protection field; strengthened cross-border collaboration in nuclear safety and radiation protection research in the EU, a significant increase in transnational nuclear research and the fostering of shared expertise and resources; preservation of critical facilities, possibly increasing their number to ensure the long-term availability of key experimental facilities for research into safety, security, safeguards, radioactive waste management and radiation protection (e.g. materials testing research reactors in operation, irradiation infrastructure, hot cells and laboratories, mechanical and thermal hydraulic test facilities, light water reactor sustainability, fuel cycle research and development, advanced modelling and simulation (including digital twins) and safety of advanced reactor technology programmes) or innovative solutions and research approaches; synergies with ongoing initiatives to complement (wherever applicable and beneficial) on-going Euratom projects and European Partnerships (e.g. EURAD-2, CONNECT-NM and PIANOFORTE), providing open access to the most advanced research infrastructures, large-scale and small-scale facilities, and expertise. Scope: 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. Users will be provided with access (at no cost to the researcher) to world-class nuclear research facilities; technical expertise from experienced scientists and engineers; and assistance with experiment design, assembly, safety analysis and examination. The objective is to promote and enhance access to infrastructures that provide essential and unique services to the…