Safety of operating nuclear power plants and research reactors

HORIZON-EURATOM is a Euratom Research and Training Programme call supporting Research and Innovation Actions to enhance the safety of operating nuclear power plants and research reactors with emphasis on long-term operation, ageing management, safety margin evaluation, materials testing and digital tools. The topic has an indicative budget of €15 million (€7 million in 2026 and €8 million in 2027) with five expected HORIZON-RIA lump-sum grants of approximately €3 million each and funding covering up to 100 percent of eligible costs. Eligible applicants are legal entities established in EU Member States and Horizon-associated countries, with multi-partner consortia combining research organisations, operators, regulators, industry and SMEs recommended and Joint Research Centre participation encouraged. Submission is single-stage via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal with a deadline of 15 September 2026 and typical project duration of 36 to 48 months.

Call: Nuclear research and training (Euratom)

Opportunity summary

Supports research and training to ensure continued safe long-term operation (LTO) and regulatory compliance of nuclear power plants and research reactors. Topics include ageing management, safety margin evaluation, advanced materials testing, NDE, digital twins, AI-assisted monitoring, PSA updates, internal/external hazard modelling, fuel and core safety for LTO, and safe deployment of alternative fuels in Soviet-designed research reactors. Outputs should include validated methods, guidance, training and harmonised approaches for licensees and regulators.

Deadline:15 September 2026

What it funds:Research & Innovation Actions (RIA) and related Innovation and Coordination/Support Actions addressing nuclear safety, ageing, digitalisation (AI/DT), advanced testing, hazard assessment and LTO fuel/core issues. Projects should demonstrate regulatory relevance and exploit JRC services where appropriate ¹.

1. 1Who can apply: research organisations, technical support organisations, universities, industry (including SMEs), licence-holders, transmission and fuel/storage operators, national regulatory authorities and consortia that include relevant stakeholders
2. 2Consortia: multi‑partner consortia combining licensees, regulators or their technical support organisations, research centres and industry are expected; JRC may join with operational costs covered by JRC
3. 3Geography: participants from EU Member States and Horizon-associated countries; certain third-country participation may be possible per Horizon rules

Funding model:lump sum contributions under Horizon Europe/Euratom rules. Submission is single-stage. See topic conditions in the work programme for detailed eligibility, lump-sum rules and application templates.

How outputs should be used:Deliverables should be focused on validated methods/tools, demonstrated pilots or guidance ready for uptake by licence-holders and regulators, with dissemination and training plans to promote harmonised safety assessments and regulatory approaches.

1. 1Prioritise cross-cutting solutions applicable across reactor technologies
2. 2Include plans for regulatory engagement, peer review and training of end users
3. 3Demonstrate complementarity with existing EU schemes and JRC facilities where relevant

Application and evaluation:apply via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal using the topic page and the RIA application template. Evaluation follows Horizon excellence and impact criteria and lump-sum assessment rules.

Footnotes

1. 1Topic details and submission entry point on the Funding & Tenders Portal: Topic page

Call and Topic Identification

Call Title:Nuclear research and training. Topic / Reference: HORIZON-EURATOM (Safety of operating nuclear power plants and research reactors). Programme: Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) under the Horizon/Euratom framework. Single-stage open call; deadline 2026-09-15 (single submission session through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal).

Primary objective:Support research and innovation actions (HORIZON RIA) to: assess and improve the safety of operating nuclear power plants and research reactors (including long-term operation LTO); develop and validate tools and methods for ageing management, safety margin evaluation, advanced materials testing, digital upgrades (digital twins, AI/ML-assisted defect detection), multi-physics modelling; assess internal/external hazards; enable safe deployment of alternative fuels (including for Soviet-designed research reactors in EU Member States and Ukraine); produce guidance, training and harmonised regulator-licensee approaches across Member States and Associated Countries ¹.

Quick facts and administrative features

• Type of Action: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA).
• Funding form: Lump sum grant modality under Horizon/Euratom (Lump Sum Grant model).
• Planned opening date: 2026-04-23 (submission session available); Deadline: 2026-09-15 (single-stage).
• Number of expected grants (budget mapping): indicative expected grants = 5 (per Budget Overview mapping for the HORIZON-EURATOM action).
• Indicative contribution per selected grant (topic-level planning): typical min/max contribution shown in call metadata is €3 000 000 per grant for HORIZON-RIA entries mapped to this topic in the Budget Overview.
• Submission route: Electronic submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System using the application form in the Submission System (lump-sum template / Part B; follow portal templates and limits).

Who should apply and eligible applicant types

Eligible applicants:multi-actor consortia led by organisations active in nuclear research, reactor operations, safety assessment and regulation, or technical support to licensees. Typical eligible applicant types and roles include universities, public research institutes, national research laboratories, operators/licence-holders of nuclear power plants, research reactor operators, technical support organisations, national regulatory authorities or their technical support organisations, engineering and manufacturing companies (large enterprises and SMEs), certification and testing centres, hospitals/medical research units (where medical isotope/irradiation issues are relevant), standardisation bodies, non-profit research networks, and relevant international organisations. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate in proposals as partner and can contribute operational costs for its staff and infrastructure; the Commission explicitly recommends use of the JRC services where appropriate. Participation and funding eligibility follow Horizon/Euratom General Annex rules (Member States, Associated Countries; exceptional funding to third countries possible in justified cases).

Eligible applicant types (detailed list):Universities; Research institutes and national laboratories; Nuclear power plant operators and research reactor operators (licence-holders); National regulatory authorities and technical support organisations; Large enterprises and industry vendors (reactor components, NDE, digital twins, sensors, advanced manufacturing); SMEs and start-ups (AI/ML, NDE, sensor, manufacturing); Standardisation bodies and certification labs; Nonprofit organisations, NGOs and professional societies (safety culture, training); Hospitals and medical research institutions (where relevant to reactor medical isotope production and safety); International organisations (participation where permitted and justified).

Funding type, forms and scale

Primary funding mechanism:grant (Horizon/Euratom Research and Innovation Action). Funding is provided as a lump sum contribution under the Horizon Lump Sum Grant decision. The Budget Overview mapped to this topic shows expected grants with indicative lump-sum contributions of approximately €3 000 000 per selected RIA project in this topic cluster. The call-level planned budget maps to multiple grants (expectedGrants = 5) and topic-level budgets are shown in the portal metadata and Budget Overview.

Notes on funding and budgets:The call uses the Horizon Lump Sum Grant model. Grant payments will follow the single-stage process and the periodic report / payment schedule defined in the Grant Agreement. Specific funding ceilings and the final award amounts are determined at award time and published in call documentation in the Funding & Tenders Portal ¹.

Consortium requirement and project structure

Consortium:the topic envisions multi-partner consortia that can cover experimental campaigns, modelling and simulation, regulatory alignment, demonstration/validation (where relevant) and training/outreach. While single beneficiaries may be possible for some types of RIA in Horizon rules, the topical scope (multi-disciplinary ageing, validation, LTO strategies, multi-physics modelling, large experimental datasets and infrastructure use) strongly favours consortia of multiple organisations (universities, research centres, operators, regulators, industry). The portal and topic text recommend use of the JRC services where appropriate; the JRC may participate in proposals and would bear its own operational costs.

1. 1Consortium model: consortium of public and private partners to cover multidisciplinary technical scope.
2. 2Recommended involvement: operators/licence-holders and regulatory bodies or their TSO/technical support organisations for applicability to licensing and compliance.
3. 3JRC role: may join as a consortium member and will cover its own operational costs.

Geographic eligibility and beneficiaries scope

Geographic eligibility:primarily EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Ukraine is explicitly mentioned in the topic scope (support for standards and safe deployment of alternative fuels in Soviet-designed research reactors in EU Member States and Ukraine). Exceptional funding to non-Associated third countries is possible if participation is essential and justified per Horizon rules. Refer to the Horizon Europe Programme Guide and the call-specific eligibility conditions for full details.

Mentioned countries or regions (explicit):EU Member States; Horizon Europe Associated Countries; Ukraine; non-associated third countries (exceptional funding possible under conditions).

Target sectors, technologies and thematic scope

Primary thematic sectors:nuclear safety (nuclear power plants and research reactors), nuclear fuel cycle facilities (where hazards modelling applies), reactor engineering, materials science, structural integrity, ageing management, digitalisation of safety systems and monitoring, modelling & simulation, thermal hydraulics, core physics and neutronics, PSA (probabilistic safety assessment), non-destructive evaluation (NDE), advanced manufacturing, AI/ML, digital twins, high-performance computing, radiation protection and waste management.

• Digital technologies: digital twins, AI/ML-assisted defect detection, IoT-enabled monitoring, cyber-physical modelling.
• Physics and engineering: advanced multi-physics and multi-scale modelling (incl. fluid–structure interaction), reactor core physics, thermal hydraulics.
• Materials and components: concrete degradation, metal fatigue, corrosion, irradiation embrittlement, cladding and high-burnup fuel behaviour, advanced NDE and testing.
• Safety assessment: ageing management programmes, LTO safety margins, internal and external hazards (fires, explosions, seismic, flooding), severe accident mitigation, PSA for extended operation.

Expected project maturity and project stages

Expected maturity:projects should be focused on advanced research, development and validation activities (TRLs typically ranging from mid-research to pre-demonstration for modelling/tools and from experimental validation to demonstration for assessment procedures and monitoring technologies). Emphasis is on RIA-level research and validation of methods, tools and services to inform licensing and regulatory decision-making and to support LTO strategies.

Application modality and evaluation

Application type:open call via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Single-stage submission model is used for this topic. Applicants must use the application form in the Submission System. Part B proposal page limits and layout are described in the system and in the call documentation; evaluation templates and guidance are provided on the Portal (HE RIA evaluation forms). Evaluation thresholds for stage 1 in two-stage calls are typically 4/5 on Excellence and Impact aspects; for single-stage RIA standard Horizon evaluation criteria apply (Excellence, Impact, Implementation as set out in General Annexes).

Application templates and supporting documents:Use the application form available in the Funding & Tenders Submission System. Reference evaluation forms and Part B templates (HE RIA/IA/CSA) are available in the Portal Reference Documents page and are the basis for proposal structure and page limits. Applicants should consult General Annexes (A–G) and call-specific instructions in the Portal. Examples include the HE lump sum model guidance and detailed evaluation forms for RIA/IA/CSA. The Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual and the Horizon Programme Guide provide procedural and budget guidance ¹.

Nature of support and additional services

Beneficiaries will receive financial support in the form of a lump-sum grant. In addition to monetary support, projects may receive non-financial support: access to JRC expertise and facilities (where JRC participates and bears its own operational costs), networking and dissemination support through EU project channels, and engagement with regulatory and standards bodies. The call text explicitly recommends using JRC services where appropriate and notes the JRC may participate and cover operational costs for its staff and infrastructure.

1. 1Money: Lump-sum grant under Horizon-Euratom RIA (indicative €3 million per project as shown in budget mapping).
2. 2Non-monetary: access to JRC services and infrastructures if JRC participates; training, guidance, dissemination and regulatory engagement; potential support mechanisms from National Contact Points and Enterprise Europe Network.

Application process, stages and evaluation

Application stages:Single-stage submission (one submission and direct evaluation). Evaluation uses the standard Horizon RIA evaluation form and criteria (Excellence, Impact, Implementation). The call documentation emphasises the use of the Part B template and portal submission rules. For lump-sum topics evaluators will assess the detailed lump-sum budget and may request comments on cost estimates per General Annex and evaluation templates.

Number of application stages:1 (single-stage call).

Success rates and competitiveness

The call is competitive. The portal and evaluation forms indicate that proposals are evaluated with strict thresholds (Excellence and Impact thresholds typically 3 or 4 depending on the procedure; for two-stage calls stage 1 thresholds for Excellence and Impact can be 4/5). The call budget and the expected number of grants (e.g. 5 grants at approximately €3M) mean selection is competitive; exact success rates are not provided in the call documentation and depend on the number and quality of eligible proposals received. Applicants should assume competitive selection with limited slots and align proposals to the topic scope and evaluation criteria.

Co-funding and financial requirements

Co-funding:The topic uses lump-sum grants. Under the lump sum regime the award is a contribution to cover the work described and does not require detailed accounting of eligible actual costs by beneficiaries for the lump-sum portion (beneficiaries must still comply with other obligations such as record-keeping for audits where requested). The call text does not require an additional mandatory co-funding percentage for beneficiaries beyond what is implicit in their proposed work and resources; applicants should follow the specific lump-sum calculation and eligibility rules in the call documentation. Exceptional funding rules apply for certain non-associated third country participants where justified.

Templates and application materials

Primary templates:the application form in the Submission System (Part A administrative data and Part B technical description). Use the RIA template for Part B (page limits and structure in the Submission System). Additional templates: lump-sum cost table (detailed lump sum budget guidance), Data Management Plan template, Consortium Agreement recommended, Ethics Self-Assessment and Ethics Deliverables templates, Model Grant Agreement and General Annexes available on the Portal Reference Documents. Evaluation forms (HE RIA Evaluation Form V4.0 and related versions) and the Online Manual should be consulted for proposal structure and evaluation expectations.

• Application form: use the Submission System Part A and Part B (HE RIA template).
• Lump-sum budget guidance: consult the Decision authorising lump sums and the 'Lump sums - what do I need to know?' guidance on the Portal.
• Evaluation form and templates: HE RIA evaluation templates (versions referenced in Portal documents).
• Data Management Plan (DMP) and FAIR data provisions where appropriate.

How to prepare a competitive proposal (key technical points)

1. 1Directly address the topic scope: ageing management, LTO safety margins, advanced materials testing, digital twins and AI/ML-assisted NDE, multi-physics modelling, PSA updates for LTO, internal/external hazards, alternative fuel safety for Soviet-designed research reactors (EU Member States and Ukraine).
2. 2Show cross-cutting applicability across reactor technologies and nuclear fuel cycle facilities where possible.
3. 3Include concrete validation plans: experimental programmes, pilot deployments, benchmarking against existing data, uncertainty quantification and traceable QA/QC methods.
4. 4Engage licence-holders and regulators early: define regulatory relevance and alignment with Nuclear Safety Directive, Basic Safety Standards Directive and Radioactive Waste Management Directive where applicable.
5. 5Demonstrate access to relevant infrastructures, datasets and expertise (JRC collaboration where relevant).
6. 6Plan knowledge transfer, best practice guidance, dissemination and training components to support implementation and regulator/licensee uptake.
7. 7Address safety, ethics and research security considerations, including safeguards against misuse, and include data management and FAIRness plans.

Summary and explanation

This Euratom topic funds Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) aimed at improving the safety and long-term operation of nuclear power plants and research reactors through multidisciplinary research and cross-cutting technical developments. It targets multi-partner consortia that bring together universities, research organisations, licence-holders, regulators, technical support organisations, industry and other stakeholders. Projects should develop, validate and demonstrate advanced methods and tools for ageing management, safety margin evaluation, materials testing and NDE, digitalisation approaches including AI and digital twins, multi-physics modelling and PSA updates for extended operation. The call uses a lump-sum grant model (indicative grant size ~ €3 million per selected RIA in the budget mapping) and is submitted through the Funding & Tenders Portal (single-stage). The JRC is recommended as a participating partner where relevant and may participate and cover its own operational costs. Applicants should align proposals with regulatory needs and EU directives, demonstrate clear validation pathways, and include dissemination and training to support harmonised regulatory approaches and knowledge sharing among Member States, Associated Countries and international partners, notably Ukraine.

Footnotes

1. 1Official call and topic documentation, templates and the Submission System are available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (Topic page: HORIZON-EURATOM) Funding & Tenders Portal - Topic. Detailed guidance on lump sums and Horizon application templates are on the Portal Reference Documents.

This call for proposals under the Euratom Research and Training Programme 2026-2027 focuses on enhancing the safety of operating nuclear power plants and research reactors, particularly through research and innovation actions addressing long-term operation (LTO), ageing management, and safety margin evaluations for light water-cooled reactors and other designs. It supports compliance with key EU directives on nuclear safety, radiation protection, and waste management, while promoting innovative technologies like AI, digital twins, and advanced modelling.

Programme Context

The Euratom Research and Training Programme complements Horizon Europe, funding nuclear research with a total budget of €330 million for 2026-2027, including €108 million for indirect actions in nuclear fission, safety, and radiation protection. This specific topic falls under the nuclear fission safety cluster, driven by the need for LTO of existing fleets (40-80 years operation) and safety for future designs like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). It aligns with EU goals for energy security, climate neutrality, and highest safety standards.

Objectives and Expected Outcomes

Proposals must address challenges in ageing management and safety margins for current and planned reactor fleets, mainly light water-cooled reactors. Key expected outcomes include: continuing safety assessments for LTO compliance; development of advanced tools (AI/ML, digital twins, multi-physics modelling) for risk prevention/mitigation; assessment of hazards, materials degradation (e.g., concrete, irradiation embrittlement), fuel/core safety; best practice guidance; knowledge gap identification; international benchmarks; and competence development.

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

• Any legal entity established in EU Member States or Associated Countries can apply.
• Consortia recommended: multi-partner collaborations involving research organisations, utilities, regulators, SMEs, and industry.
• Associated partners, subcontractors, and third parties providing in-kind contributions allowed.
• Joint Research Centre (JRC) participation encouraged; JRC bears its own costs (facilities listed in General Annex H).
• Non-EU entities may participate under conditions (e.g., exceptional funding if essential expertise).
• International collaboration, including Ukraine for Soviet-designed reactors, supported.

Funding Details

Total Budget:€15 million for this topic (€7 million in 2026, €8 million in 2027).

Expected Grants:5 grants under HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions) at €3 million each.

Funding Rate:Up to 100% of eligible costs for RIA (lump sum funding as per Horizon Europe rules).¹

Duration and Timeline

Call Opening:23 April 2026.

Deadline:15 September 2026 (single-stage submission).²

Project Duration:Typically 36-48 months (flexible, as per proposal).

Scope and Key Research Areas

• Ageing management programmes and safety solutions optimisation.
• Advanced tools for degradation detection (AI/ML, digital twins, high-performance computing).
• Safety assessment of internal/external hazards (fires, explosions, climate impacts).
• Materials testing and structural integrity (concrete, steel, corrosion, embrittlement).
• LTO fuel/core management (high burnup, alternative fuels, spent fuel impacts).
• Safety of alternative fuels in Soviet-designed research reactors (EU/Ukraine).
• Best practices, training, LTO strategy sharing, regulator harmonisation.

Application Process and Evaluation

1. 1Submit via EU Funding & Tenders Portal: EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
2. 2Single-stage: Full proposal (Part A administrative; Part B technical, max 70 pages).
3. 3Evaluation criteria: Excellence (50%), Impact (30%), Implementation (20%); thresholds 3/5 per criterion, overall 10/15.
4. 4Lump sum grants: Detailed budget table required; costs assessed for reasonableness.
5. 5Ethics self-assessment mandatory; no human embryo/stem cell issues expected.

Key Requirements and Conditions

Proposals must demonstrate EU added value, complementarity with ongoing projects (e.g., EURAD, CONNECT-NM, PIANOFORTE), and alignment with Nuclear Safety Directive (2009/71/Euratom), Basic Safety Standards Directive (2013/59/Euratom), and Radioactive Waste Directive (2011/70/Euratom). Open science practices, gender dimension in research, and dissemination required. Consortium agreement recommended.

Additional Opportunities and Recommendations

Related topics in the same call include innovation actions and coordination/support actions with varying budgets (e.g., CSA up to €7 million). Use JRC services for testing/modelling. Partner search available on portal. National Contact Points (NCPs) provide support.

Footnotes

1. 1Lump sum as per Decision authorising lump sums under Horizon Europe/Euratom: Lump Sum Decision.
2. 2Submission system opened 7 May 2026; check portal for updates: Topic Page. Work Programme: HE Main WP 2026-2027.