Safety of SMRs, advanced and innovative nuclear reactors and fuels

Horizon Europe Euratom topic HORIZON-EURATOM funds research and innovation on the safety, safety-by-design and fuel cycles of light-water SMRs and Gen-IV advanced modular reactors (AMRs), including experimental validation, regulatory readiness and integration into low-carbon energy systems. The action is HORIZON Innovation Actions delivered as lump-sum grants with an indicative topic budget of €15 million (€6.5M in 2026 and €8.5M in 2027), mapped to about five grants at €3 million each. Eligible applicants are consortia of legal entities established in EU Member States and Horizon-associated countries, with recommended participation or services from the JRC and coordination with relevant partnerships and national regulators. Single-stage submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, deadline 15 September 2026 (00:00 CEST).

Call: Nuclear research and training (HORIZON-EURATOM-LS-2026-01-02)

Opportunity type and deadline

Call for proposals (HORIZON Innovation Actions). Single-stage submission. Deadline:15 September 2026.

What it funds:Research and innovation projects focused on safety, design, demonstration and fuel-cycle aspects of small modular reactors (LW-SMRs and Gen-IV AMRs), advanced coolants and fuels, safety-by-design, regulatory readiness, integration into low-carbon energy systems and related instrumentation and digital solutions ¹.

1. 1Eligible applicants: transnational consortia of research organisations, universities, industry (including SMRs developers and vendors), TSOs, regulators, nuclear safety bodies and other relevant stakeholders in Member States and Associated Countries.
2. 2JRC may participate and can be used for services; third-country participation subject to Horizon Europe rules.
3. 3Projects should align with EURATOM/Horizon programme rules and use lump-sum funding where indicated.

Focus areas include experimental validation of safety features (thermal-hydraulics, severe accidents, fluid-material interactions), pre-normative R&D, multi-module and underground siting safety cases, fuel-cycle safety and waste minimisation, operational flexibility and integration with hybrid energy systems. Proposals should show coordination with relevant partnerships (EURAD-2, PIANOFORTE, CONNECT-NM) and national regulators where relevant.

How to apply:Submit a single-stage proposal via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal to topic HORIZON-EURATOM by the deadline; follow Horizon/Euratom application templates and lump-sum rules. See the topic page for full guidance Topic details. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Call details, eligibility, funding forms and guidance are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal topic page: ec.europa.eu

Call and Administrative Summary

Call title:Nuclear research and training. Topic ID: HORIZON-EURATOM. Type of action: HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) implemented under an Euratom/Horizon funding line. Submission model: single-stage electronic submission through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Call status: Open. Deadline: 2026-09-15 (single-stage). Expected number of grants for this topic: 5. Indicative per-project grant contribution (budget overview reported by the Portal for the HORIZON-EURATOM HORIZON-IA action): min €3 000 000; max €3 000 000. Total indicative budget for the action across 2026-2027 (topic-level mapping on Portal): €15 000 000 (budget year map shows €6 500 000 in 2026 and €8 500 000 in 2027). Lump sum funding model applies where indicated by the work programme and Portal guidance.

Scope, aims and expected outcomes (detailed reproduction)

Expected outcomes and scope (verbatim synthesis of the topic text):The project results are expected to contribute to research into safety of innovative reactors, small modular reactors (SMRs) – both light water SMRs (LW-SMRs) and Gen-IV-based advanced modular reactors (AMRs); design or demonstration of SMRs and fuel cycles’ viability; and efficient integration within low-carbon and smart energy systems; research support towards a shared and consistent approach among regulators’ TSOs to safety requirements for different advanced energy systems and applications (e.g. industrial heat, district heat and the maritime sector), supported by regular exchanges and reviews and workshops with licensees, SMR developers, and research organisations, thereby further improving safety across the EU; emphasis on innovation in the safety aspects of LW-SMRs and AMRs; establishment of operating rules for specific services for innovative reactors, incorporating emerging instrumentation and digital technologies that offer potential improvements for in-service operation; research into fuel cycles (including their key features: inherently safe design, generation of less high-level waste and improved use of resources), potentially enabling interested Member States to contribute to the energy transition (according to and respecting the EU’s technology neutrality principle) and thus increase Member States’ and EU energy security.

The Commission expects a balanced portfolio of projects covering both LW-SMRs and AMRs with their fuel cycles. Focus areas include research and innovation needed to independently demonstrate the safety of innovative systems, critical structures for both LW-SMRs and AMRs with their fuel cycles, design optimisation, safety-by-design features, advanced coolant technologies, reactor hybridisation, fuel designs and fuel cycle safety (waste minimisation, decommissioning-by-design). Proposals should keep the focus on safety-security-safeguards-by-design (3S by Design), investigate SMRs’ passive safety and regulatory harmonisation, address pre-normative R&D challenges, include modern digital solutions, cover viability phases and proof-of-concept testing under safety-relevant conditions, and experimentally validate key safety aspects such as natural circulation, two-phase flow, non-water coolants, severe accident behaviour, fluid-material interactions and thermal-hydraulic-neutronic coupling. Broader topics include higher operational temperatures (industrial heat, H2), maritime applications, internal/external hazards (fires, explosions), radioactive waste management, emergency preparedness and response, human and environmental impacts, safeguards, social perception and long-term sustainability of fuel cycles.

Coordination and complementarities:proposers should establish appropriate coordination with relevant partnerships and initiatives including EURAD-2 (radioactive waste), PIANOFORTE (radiation protection) and CONNECT-NM (materials), and with relevant national research institutions in Member States planning to deploy SMRs. Where relevant, actions should ensure complementarities with the Commission's grant scheme supporting competent national regulatory authorities for coordinated approaches to new nuclear safety regulatory challenges. The Commission recommends that consortia use JRC services; the JRC may participate in proposal preparation and would bear operational costs for its own staff and infrastructure.

Funding and eligibility framework:Type of funding: Horizon-type lump-sum unit grant under HORIZON Innovation Actions for this Euratom topic. Eligible costs will take the form of lump sums as defined in the Decision authorising lump sums in Horizon Europe and actions under the Euratom Research and Training Programme. Portal action type: HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions. Expected per-project lump-sum contribution indicated in Portal mapping: €3 000 000 (min and max per expected grant entry). Submission: via the Electronic Submission Service on the Funding & Tenders Portal.

1. 1Eligible Applicant Types: Universities and higher education institutions; research institutes and national laboratories; Joint Research Centre (JRC) participation is recommended and JRC may participate as a consortium member; large enterprises and industrial partners (reactor developers, SMR vendors, utilities, maritime sector companies); small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) including technology suppliers and instrumentation vendors; public bodies and national regulatory authorities (NRAs) and technical safety organisations (TSOs) as partners or stakeholders (complementarity with recently launched grant scheme for competent national regulatory authorities is recommended); non-governmental organisations and nonprofits with relevant expertise (e.g. public engagement, social perception); international European research organisations; consortia involving multi-disciplinary teams. Note: participation by certain non-associated third countries is subject to Horizon Europe rules and national arrangements; consult the Horizon programme guide and General Annexes for third-country funding eligibility.
2. 2Funding Type: Grant (Horizon Innovation Action). Lump sum contributions are the eligible cost model for this topic, as permitted by the Decision authorising lump sums for Horizon and Euratom actions.
3. 3Consortium Requirement: A consortium of multiple partners is expected and recommended. The topic foresees multi-actor consortia (research organisations, industry, regulators/TSOs, national research institutions, relevant international organisations). Single-beneficiary proposals are not aligned with the topic ambition; coordinated multi-partner consortia are the norm.
4. 4Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Primary beneficiaries: entities established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries; participation from Third Countries possible in line with Horizon rules and Guide (some third countries are not automatically funded and may require national arrangements). The topic text explicitly requests coordination with research institutions in Euratom Member States and Associated Countries planning deployments; JRC participation is recommended.
5. 5Target Sector: Nuclear energy and fuel cycles; energy systems integration (grid, low-carbon heat, hydrogen); maritime applications; reactor technologies and thermal hydraulics; nuclear materials and radiation protection; instrumentation and digital technologies (digital twins, instrumentation, sensors, AI for monitoring); safety, security, safeguards (3S by Design); waste management; decommissioning; public perception and societal aspects; cross-cutting: materials, high-temperature applications, industrial process heat.
6. 6Mentioned Countries: No specific list of Member States is mandated. The topic references 'EU Member States', 'Euratom Member States', 'Associated Countries', and mentions coordination with Member States planning to deploy SMRs. It also references international cooperation and non-EU participants subject to general Annex rules. The JRC (Belgium) is referenced. For third-country participation eligibility, consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide and specific Annexes.
7. 7Project Stage (Expected Maturity): Maturity spans idea and research through development, validation and demonstration and viability testing phases. The topic explicitly calls for projects covering concept development, proof of concept, viability testing under safety-relevant conditions, experimental validation, and demonstration-relevant R&D (pre-normative work, safety case development, regulatory readiness).
8. 8Funding Amount (Rough Range): Typical individual project lump-sum contribution indicated by Portal mapping: €3 000 000 per expected grant (the Portal budget map shows min and max €3 000 000). Overall topic budget mapped on Portal for this action: planned opening mapped to expected grants: 5 expected grants at €3 000 000 each in the Portal budget overview. Consult call page for final budget confirmations.
9. 9Application Type: Open call, single-stage electronic submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal; applicants must use the application form in the Submission System and follow the Proposal page limits and Part B layout. Full proposals required for single-stage topic.
10. 10Nature of Support: Monetary (grant funding in the form of lump-sum contributions). Non-financial services expected include participation of JRC (when appropriate) offering access to JRC expertise and facilities; coordination with partnerships (EURAD-2, PIANOFORTE, CONNECT-NM); workshops and regulator-TSO exchanges supported by project activities.
11. 11Application Stages: Single-stage evaluation process (one main submission and evaluation stage). Note: Evaluation uses Horizon evaluation forms and criteria; consult the Submission System for templates. Some Horizon calls elsewhere are two-stage, but this topic is single-stage per Portal.
12. 12Success Rates: Not specified for this topic. The Portal indicates expected number of funded grants (5) and budget envelope; success rates depend on call competition—historical success rates for Horizon Euratom innovation actions vary widely; applicants should plan for competitive evaluation and align with work programme priorities.
13. 13Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is implicitly required by partners through cost-sharing and demonstrating sustainability; for lump-sum grants the Commission does not request specific national co-funding rules in the usual cost reporting sense, but beneficiaries and national funders should ensure implementation and long-term commitments (in some actions Member State financial commitments or co-financing for implementation phases and infrastructure may be expected). The Portal budget mapping and type of action indicate that beneficiaries must ensure resources beyond the lump-sum for implementation, and projects should demonstrate financing plans toward deployment, operation and sustainability.
14. 14Templates and Application Structure: Use the Submission System application form template (Part A—administrative data and Part B—technical description). Standard Horizon templates apply: Cover page, abstract, excellence, impact and implementation sections for RIA/IA; project description should include work packages, milestones, deliverables, risk assessment, governance, management, consortium roles, and technical annexes. For lump-sum topics, a detailed lump-sum budget justification for the requested contribution is required; follow the Lump Sum Guidance and Detailed Lump Sum Table (available in Reference Documents). Include specific annex sections describing experimental validation plans, safety case development, test facilities to be used, regulatory engagement, data management plan (FAIR), ethical compliance, and stakeholder engagement plan with regulators, TSOs, licensees and SMR developers. Use the call-specific templates in the Submission System and consult Part B instructions. Proposals should also describe expected complementarities with EURAD-2, PIANOFORTE, CONNECT-NM and national regulatory authority grant schemes.

Technical and scientific requirements — key technology and research areas

Applicants must present high-quality, technology-focused research and innovation plans addressing the safety of LW-SMRs and Gen-IV AMRs and their fuel cycles. The work should be technically rigorous and may include experimental, numerical and digital research. Core scientific and technical focus areas explicitly requested by the topic include (but are not limited to): thermal-hydraulic phenomena (natural circulation, two-phase flow), advanced coolant technologies (non-water coolants), severe accidents and mitigation strategies, fluid-material interactions and compatibility, thermal-hydraulic-neutronic coupling and integrated multi-physics simulation, instrumentation and control for in-service operation (including emerging digital technologies, advanced sensors and digital twins), design optimisation for safety-by-design, validation of passive safety systems, higher temperature operation for industrial heat and high-temperature hydrogen production, modularity and multi-module site safety case development, underground siting issues, maritime deployment challenges, fuel cycle safety (inherently safe designs, waste reduction by design, decommissioning considerations), emergency preparedness and response, safeguards-by-design, and socio-technical aspects including public acceptance and social perception. Proposals that integrate experimental validation, modern digital methods (including AI-assisted modelling where justified), pre-normative research to support harmonised regulatory approaches, and close engagement with national regulators and TSOs will be favoured.

Project design and consortium recommendations

Recommended consortium composition and roles:strong multi-disciplinary research organisations with validated experimental facilities and test rigs, nuclear technology vendors/developers (SMR designers and AMR developers), national TSOs and regulatory authorities (participation and engagement for regulatory readiness), utilities and potential licensees, industrial partners for instrumentation and digital solutions, SMEs for niche technology development, organisations with expertise in fuel cycle and waste management, maritime industry partners for marine applications, social science experts for public perception and societal acceptance studies, emergency preparedness organisations, and where appropriate international partners and research infrastructure operators (ERICs or equivalent). The Commission recommends consortia use JRC services; JRC may participate and cover its own operational costs. Proposals should include a governance and coordination plan, stakeholder engagement plan (including scheduled workshops with regulators, licensees and developers), data management plan adhering to FAIR principles, and an exploitation and regulatory-readiness roadmap. Activities that create pre-normative data or cross-cutting methods to support harmonisation of safety assessment and regulatory requirements across Member States are a priority.

1. 1Evaluation: Standard Horizon evaluation criteria for Innovation Actions apply (Excellence, Impact, Quality and efficiency of implementation). For single-stage IA calls, experts will evaluate the full proposal. Thresholds and scoring follow the Horizon evaluation forms; see call conditions and evaluation templates in the Portal Reference Documents.
2. 2Ethics and Security: Projects must comply with Horizon ethics rules and the exclusion of military-only applications. Proposals involving sensitive technologies or dual-use considerations (including aspects related to nuclear security or proliferation risks) must include a specific assessment and safeguards and may be subject to restrictions. The Council Recommendation on research security should be taken into account where relevant.
3. 3Regulatory engagement: Projects must plan regular exchanges, workshops and reviews with national regulators and TSOs to facilitate regulatory readiness and harmonisation. Complementarity with Commission schemes supporting national regulatory authorities is expected where relevant.
4. 4Data and modelling: Projects should include robust modelling and validation strategies; share data under FAIR principles; and detail how digital technologies (digital twins, advanced sensors, AI) will be validated and used without compromising scientific integrity or safety.
5. 5JRC involvement: Where appropriate, consortia are encouraged to request services from the JRC. The JRC may participate as a beneficiary bearing its own operational costs; JRC facilities and expertise are listed in General Annex H of the work programme.

How the opportunity fits applicants and recommended next steps

Summary:This topic is a targeted Horizon Euratom Innovation Actions call to fund multi-partner projects that advance safety, licensing readiness, and viability of SMRs (light-water and Gen-IV AMRs) and their fuel cycles, with a strong emphasis on safety-by-design, experimental validation of safety features, digital instrumentation and operational innovations, and coordination with regulators and TSOs. Funding is delivered as lump-sum grants in the Innovation Actions modality and projects must propose integrated R&D and demonstration-relevant activities that can be completed within the Horizon timeframe and the lump sum requested.

Recommended immediate actions for applicants:1) Assemble a multi-disciplinary consortium early, including research organisations with experimental infrastructure, SMR/AMR developers, TSOs/regulators and industry partners for instrumentation and digital solutions; 2) Build a clear project plan that maps experimental validation activities, digital modelling (multi-physics coupling), safety case development for modular/multi-module scenarios, regulatory readiness activities and stakeholder engagement; 3) Prepare a detailed lump-sum justification aligned with the lump sum guidance and ensure records and evidence are available to substantiate unit/lump-sum outputs requested; 4) Plan engagement with EURAD-2, PIANOFORTE, CONNECT-NM and national regulators, and request JRC services where applicable; 5) Use the Portal Submission System templates and consult the Horizon Programme Guide, lump-sum decision and the detailed budget table guidance when drafting proposals.

Final summary — What is this opportunity about and how to explain it

This HORIZON-EURATOM topic funds Innovation Actions that research and demonstrate the safety, regulatory readiness, operational rules and fuel-cycle aspects of small modular reactors and advanced modular reactors, including their integration into low-carbon and hybrid energy systems. Projects should deliver pre-normative R&D, experimental safety validations, safety-by-design innovations, fuel-cycle sustainability assessments, digital instrumentation and operational technologies, regulatory harmonisation support with TSOs and regulators, and stakeholder engagement to improve public acceptance. The funding model is lump-sum Horizon Innovation Actions with an indicative per-project contribution of €3 000 000 and an overall planned set of grants. Successful proposals will be multi-disciplinary consortia that combine experimental facilities, industry/SMR developers, regulators/TSOs, research organisations, and knowledge of fuels and waste management, and that coordinate closely with related partnerships and initiatives. Application is via the Funding & Tenders Portal using the standard Horizon submission templates; applicants must follow the lump-sum guidance and work programme annexes for detailed administrative and financial rules.

Opportunity Overview

This call for proposals under the Horizon Europe Euratom Research and Training Programme (topic HORIZON-EURATOM) supports research and innovation focused on the safety of small modular reactors (SMRs), including light water SMRs (LW-SMRs) and Gen-IV-based advanced modular reactors (AMRs), along with their fuel cycles. The initiative aims to demonstrate safety, sustainability, economic competitiveness, and integration into low-carbon energy systems, contributing to EU energy security and technological sovereignty in line with the EU Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) 2030 Declaration.

Expected Outcomes

• Research into safety of innovative reactors, SMRs (LW-SMRs and AMRs), design/demonstration of viability and integration in low-carbon/smart energy systems.
• Support for consistent regulatory approaches among Technical Safety Organisations (TSOs) for advanced energy systems (e.g., industrial heat, district heat, maritime).
• Innovation in safety aspects of LW-SMRs and AMRs, including operating rules with digital technologies.
• Research on fuel cycles with inherently safe design, reduced high-level waste, and improved resource use.

Scope and Key Research Areas

The Commission seeks a balanced portfolio of projects covering LW-SMRs and AMRs with fuel cycles, emphasising independent safety demonstrations, safety-by-design features, advanced coolants, reactor hybridisation, and fuel designs. Proposals must address several priorities including 3S-by-Design (safety-security-safeguards), passive safety harmonisation, pre-normative R&D, experimental validation of safety aspects (e.g., natural circulation, severe accidents, non-water coolants), coordination with partnerships (EURAD-2, PIANOFORTE, CONNECT-NM), and SMR modularity advantages (factory fabrication, multi-module sites). Complementarities with national regulatory support schemes are required.

Type of Action and Budget

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

Open to legal entities established in EU Member States and Associated Countries under Euratom (e.g., Norway, Iceland). Consortia recommended, including research organisations, industry, regulators/TSOs, and SMR developers. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate and provide services (listed in General Annex H). Non-EU entities may join under standard Horizon Europe rules, with possible exceptional funding if essential.

Key Requirements

1. 1Proposals must cover both LW-SMRs and AMRs with fuel cycles in a balanced manner.
2. 2Focus on safety demonstration, including experimental validation under safe conditions.
3. 3Incorporate coordination with specified partnerships and Member States planning SMR deployment.
4. 4Address modularity, operational flexibility, and non-electric applications.
5. 5Ensure complementarities with regulatory grant schemes (e.g., C(2024)8345).¹

Application Process and Deadlines

Single-stage submission via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. Planned opening:23 April 2026. Deadline: 15 September 2026 (00:00 CEST). Use standard Horizon Europe application forms (Part B limits per General Annexes). Evaluation criteria: Excellence (threshold 4/5), Impact (threshold 4/5 for stage 1 if applicable). Full details in topic page and work programme annexes.

Submission Portal:EU Funding & Tenders Portal

Additional Considerations for Applicants

• Strong emphasis on regulatory engagement, safety-by-design, and cross-cutting benefits (e.g., digital solutions).
• Proposals should demonstrate EU added value, alignment with technology neutrality, and potential for industrial uptake.
• Budget flexibility allowed with conditions (per Annex B). No profit rule does not apply.
• Reporting: Continuous via Portal tool; periodic technical/financial reports.
• IPR: Standard Horizon Europe rules; ownership by beneficiaries generating results.

This opportunity builds on prior Euratom programmes (e.g., 2023-2025 WP with €15M for LW-SMR safety, €12M for AMRs). Successful projects will advance EU leadership in safe, deployable SMR technologies amid global competition.

Footnotes

1. 1Grant decision C(2024)8345: Financing Decisions.