Support for the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform to address cross-sectoral challenges and non-power applications of ionising radiation

Call HORIZON-EURATOM funds a single Coordination and Support Action (CSA) to support the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) in addressing cross-sectoral challenges and non-power applications of ionising radiation. The deadline is 15 September 2026 and the action offers a lump-sum EU contribution of €500,000 for an indicative three-year project. Activities should structure SNETP, consolidate networks across nuclear technology areas and other European Technology and Innovation Platforms, develop roadmaps, workshops, data sharing and a financial sustainability plan while excluding core secretariat running costs. Eligible applicants are legal entities established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, with third-country participation funded only if essential and justified.

What it funds

Scope summary

Coordination and support action to structure and consolidate SNETP activities (2026-2027), strengthen networks across nuclear technology areas, foster collaboration with other European Technology and Innovation Platforms, and promote cross-sectoral and non-power applications of ionising radiation (medical, industrial, space, maritime propulsion). Activities include studies, data collection, technology roadmaps, implementation plans, workshops, dissemination, data accessibility and reuse, and a financial/sustainability plan for continuation after grant end. Secretariat and running institutional costs are not eligible.

Indicative budget and duration:Typical award: €500,000 (lump-sum) for an indicative project duration of 3 years ¹

1. 1Who can apply: consortia of legal entities (technology platforms, research organisations, industry partners, non-profit stakeholders and networks); participation rules follow Horizon/Euratom requirements
2. 2Eligible activities: coordination and support measures (HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions); research, roadmap development, workshops, training and dissemination — not core secretariat running costs

Footnotes

1. 1Topic details and official call page: SNETP support topic.

Support for the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) — HORIZON-EURATOM-LS-2026-01-06

Call title:Nuclear research and training. Type of action/type of grant: HORIZON Coordination and Support Action (HORIZON-CSA) with Lump Sum Grant (HORIZON-AG-LS). Deadline: 15 September 2026 (single-stage submission). Indicative project duration: 3 years. This topic is part of the Euratom Research and Training Programme actions published through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. The topic reference: HORIZON-EURATOM ¹.

Expected Outcomes and Scope

Expected outcomes (full list extracted from the topic text):1) Structuring of SNETP activities and consolidation of networks across the technology areas covered by the Euratom programme, coordinating with IGDTP and MEENAS; 2) Focus on cross-cutting nuclear energy applications (e.g. nuclear for heat and/or electricity, space and maritime propulsion) and non-energy applications (including medical and other applications of ionising radiation) and optimisation of radiation protection; 3) Integration of nuclear and non-nuclear energy roadmaps by fostering collaboration between European Technology and Innovation Platforms (ETIPs) to address cross-sectoral challenges; 4) Integration of NPPs into sustainable low-carbon and smart energy systems and development of power systems for space applications; 5) Support integration of SNETP in Horizon Europe cross-sectoral activities with emphasis on non-power applications, radiation protection, education and training; 6) Identification of cross-cutting actions to maximise societal benefits of nuclear and radiation technologies; 7) Support identification of research priorities and key actions for the nuclear R&I community within EU policy instruments (e.g. SET Plan updates and reports); 8) Communication of platform activities to policymakers and stakeholders beyond power generation; 9) Facilitation of cooperation between projects in the EU to ensure accessibility and reusability of produced data; 10) Preparation of technology roadmaps, implementation plans and deployment strategies; 11) Development of a financial and sustainability plan for continuation beyond the funded action; 12) Note of ineligibility: SNETP secretariat and running costs are explicitly not eligible for funding under this action.

Scope summary (extracted and paraphrased precisely):SNETP is an ETIP that promotes safe, secure, reliable and efficient operation of nuclear systems. In 2026–2027 SNETP should continue to integrate R&I in nuclear safety at EU level and stimulate innovation in nuclear technologies beyond traditional areas of implementation (improving standards of living and health). Euratom funding will support targeted studies, data collection, analysis, workshops to develop roadmaps, implementation plans and deployment strategies and outreach. Activities must integrate the different energy roadmaps (nuclear and non-nuclear) and foster collaboration between ETIPs to address cross-sectoral challenges with emphasis on materials, digital and AI, and medical and other non-power applications of ionising radiation. Proposals must facilitate cooperation across EU projects and ensure accessibility and reusability of produced data, and include a financial and sustainability plan. SNETP secretariat and other running costs are not eligible. Indicative project duration: three years.

Topic administration and form of funding:Type of action: HORIZON Coordination and Support Action (CSA). Model Grant Agreement: HORIZON Lump Sum Grant. Funding to beneficiaries will be provided as lump sum contributions in line with the EC decision authorising lump sums under Horizon Europe and Euratom programmes. Submission: single-stage, electronic via the Funding & Tenders Portal. Call status: open (submission session available). Deadline: 2026-09-15. Indicative project duration: 3 years.

1. 1Budget: topic-level indicative budget mapped in the Portal budget overview shows an expected single grant with min/max contribution €500,000 (budget years map: €250,000 for 2026 and €250,000 for 2027).
2. 2Form of funding: Lump sum (unit/flat-lump scheme as per Horizon decision).
3. 3Submission model: single-stage electronic submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal; use the application form in the Submission System and Part B templates referenced.
4. 4Evaluation: standard HE evaluation forms for CSAs (Excellence, Impact, Quality and Efficiency of Implementation as applicable); stage thresholds and scoring rules per HE evaluation templates (scores 0–5, mandatory thresholds described in general annex).

Eligibility and Applicants

Eligible applicant types (based on topic text and Horizon/Euratom CSA rules):legal entities including but not limited to: technology and innovation platforms, associations, consortia of research organisations, universities, research institutes, large enterprises, SMEs, NGOs, professional associations, public authorities acting as beneficiaries, international organisations (where applicable and subject to General Annex rules). The action targets SNETP as a European Technology and Innovation Platform; consortia should include the SNETP stakeholders and relevant ETIPs (IGDTP, MEENAS and other ETIPs) and cross-sector partners (health, industry, maritime, space). National research organisations and entities from widening countries and Associated Countries may participate subject to Horizon/Euratom eligibility rules.

Consortium requirement:Topic and Action Type indicate a multi-beneficiary consortium is expected. The Funding & Tenders Portal action listing states expected grants: 1 for this topic (HORIZON-EURATOM - HORIZON-CSA) so a single coordinated project consortium is required (consortium approach recommended). The topic text explicitly expects collaboration across ETIPs and facilitation of cooperation with other projects across the EU, so a consortium of relevant stakeholders is necessary.

Geographic and legal eligibility

Beneficiary scope (geographic eligibility):Applicants from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries are eligible for funding under standard Euratom/Horizon rules; participation of non-EU/non-associated third countries may be possible but funding eligibility is subject to the General Annexes and specific national arrangements. The topic text explicitly requires pan‑European collaboration and cooperation across EU projects. The Portal reference notes that some third countries make specific provisions to enable funding for their participants — consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide and the Work Programme General Annexes for details.

Mentioned countries / region:No specific Member State names are mentioned in the topic text. Region: European Union (Euratom Research and Training Programme) and pan-European networks; Associated Countries and third-country participation rules apply as per General Annexes.

Who should apply and expected consortium composition

Ideal applicants:SNETP-aligned consortia led by a strong coordinating entity (e.g. an established ETIP, research consortium, or nonprofit/consortium secretariat partner) that can demonstrate: 1) proven multi-stakeholder engagement across nuclear power, non-power radiation applications and health sectors; 2) capacity to coordinate roadmaps, data collection and workshops; 3) experience in cross-sector ETIP collaboration; 4) demonstrable links with ERICs or EU platforms (where applicable); 5) experience on data stewardship and FAIR data principles and facilitation of reuse; 6) experience in communication to policymakers and stakeholders.

1. 1Recommended consortium structure: coordinator (lead ETIP or consortium lead), partners representing SNETP constituencies (industry, utilities, research organisations, safety bodies), representatives from IGDTP, MEENAS-related consortium, health sector stakeholder(s), data management/expertise partner, ETIP counterparts from non-nuclear energy domains, dissemination/communication partner.
2. 2Minimum consortium: single consortium (multi-partner). The Action foresees consolidation of networks across the different technology areas, therefore multi-partner is required.

Funding, budget and financial rules

Funding type:Grant (Coordination and Support Action) delivered as a lump sum contribution. The Funding & Tenders Portal Budget Overview indicates for the topic HORIZON-EURATOM an expected single grant with a minimum/maximum contribution of €500,000 (budget year map: €250,000 for 2026 and €250,000 for 2027). The action is financed under the Euratom Research and Training Programme and uses the Horizon lump sum rules. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as per the Decision authorising lump sum use under Horizon Europe and Euratom.

Co-funding requirement:Co-funding: The topic text does not explicitly require co-funding from beneficiaries; for CSAs under Horizon/Euratom, co-funding is not generally required unless stated. However project proposals should include a financial and sustainability plan demonstrating continuation beyond EU funding and may outline complementary contributions from partners (in-kind activities, national contributions or other co-financing) to support sustainability. SNETP secretariat and running costs are explicitly ineligible.

Project stage and technology readiness

Project stage and expected maturity:This is a coordination and structuring action. Expected maturity: policy and roadmap development, community structuring, coordination and networking rather than technology TRL advancement. Activities include studies, data collection, analysis, workshops, roadmaps, implementation plans and communication. Relevant to early-to-medium maturity activities (idea, coordination, planning, deployment strategy and stakeholder integration).

Application and evaluation process

Application type:Open call — single-stage submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Applicants must use the Application Form available in the Submission System (Part A and Part B templates) and follow page limits and layout rules described in the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation: standard Horizon evaluation methodology for CSAs; criteria typically include Excellence (clarity, pertinence and ambition of objectives, quality of proposed coordination/support measures and methodology), Impact (pathways to achieve expected outcomes), and Quality and Efficiency of Implementation (work plan, resources, consortium capacity). Score scales 0–5 with thresholds; consult the standard evaluation forms referenced in the topic.

Application stages and success rate:Number of stages: 1 (single-stage call). Success rates: not published for this specific topic; typical CSA success rates vary widely and are influenced by quality and alignment to topic — applicants should anticipate competitive evaluation and aim to meet thresholds and demonstrate high impact and feasibility.

Nature of support and permitted activities

Nature of support:monetary grant in lump-sum form to deliver the described coordination, roadmap, communication and cross-sectoral activities. Permitted activities (explicitly listed): specific studies, data collection, analysis, workshops, development of technology roadmaps, implementation plans and deployment strategies, dissemination, stakeholder outreach and communication, actions to facilitate cooperation across EU projects and ensuring accessibility and reusability of produced data, development of a financial and sustainability plan for continuation beyond the funded action. Not permitted: funding for SNETP secretariat core running costs is ineligible under this action.

Application templates, structure and guidance

Application forms and templates:Use the application form in the Submission System (Part A and Part B). The topic references the Part B layout and page limits in the Work Programme General Annexes. Standard application documentation, evaluation forms and guidance for lump sum grants are available in the Portal reference documents (HE application templates, evaluation form HE CSA, Lump Sum guidance, Model Grant Agreement for lump sum). Applicants must follow the Part B template structure (excellence, impact, implementation) and include a detailed work plan, deliverables and milestones consistent with lump sum reporting expectations. Include a detailed financial and sustainability plan as required by the topic text.

1. 1Recommended Part B structure: 1) Excellence — objectives, state of the art, methodology and approach for CSA coordination/support measures; 2) Impact — pathways to expected outcomes, stakeholder engagement and communication plan, data accessibility and reusability plan, alignment with EU policy instruments; 3) Implementation — work packages, deliverables, milestones, risk management, consortium roles and governance, dissemination and exploitation actions, financial and sustainability plan; 4) Annexes — letters of support, CVs, capacity evidence, data management annex, ethics checklist (if applicable).
2. 2Lump-sum specifics: include a detailed description of activities and deliverables tied to the lump-sum budget. Evaluators will check that costs estimations and the lump sum are reasonable and consistent with the proposed activities.

Evaluation and award criteria highlights

Evaluation uses standard HE CSA evaluation templates:Excellence (quality of proposed coordination/support measures and soundness of methodology), Impact (credibility of pathways to achieve expected outcomes and dissemination/communication), and Quality and efficiency of implementation (work plan, consortium capacity). Thresholds: typically each main criterion must reach threshold scores as per standard templates (see General Annex D and HE evaluation forms). For lump sum topics evaluators will assess lump sum budget estimates and include comments on whether modifications are recommended.

Intellectual property, data and exploitation

Data management and exploitation:The topic explicitly requires proposals to facilitate cooperation with other projects across the EU and to ensure accessibility and reusability of data produced during the projects. Data should follow FAIR principles where applicable and proposals should include a data stewardship plan. Results used for policy and communications may be requested by the Commission; beneficiaries must comply with MGA conditions concerning use of deliverables and data for policy and communication purposes.

Risks, exclusions and compliance requirements

Key exclusions and compliance points:SNETP secretariat and running costs are not eligible. Participation and funding eligibility rules for non‑EU/non‑associated third countries apply as per the Work Programme General Annexes. Activities involving classified information or ethically sensitive research must comply with MGA and ethical rules. Research security and management of relations with third countries should follow Horizon and EU guidance; check the Programme Guide and General Annexes.

Practical next steps for applicants

1. 1Register and prepare administrative data in the Funding & Tenders Portal early; set up coordinator and partner legal entity validation (PIC/LEAR/financial capacity checks) where required.
2. 2Use the Submission System application form and the Part B template in the Portal; follow page limits and layout instructions in the Work Programme General Annexes.
3. 3Build a consortium of ETIP stakeholders across nuclear and non-nuclear sectors (health, space, maritime) with proven experience in roadmap development, data stewardship, radiation protection, and policy outreach.
4. 4Design a clear work plan (work packages and deliverables) that addresses all expected outcomes and includes a detailed financial and sustainability plan for post-grant continuation.
5. 5Prepare letters of support from key stakeholders and other ETIPs and document previous cooperation, network consolidation evidence and planned data sharing practices (FAIR) to strengthen Impact assessment.

Primary portal reference and topic page for full authoritative text, templates and submission: Funding & Tenders Portal topic HORIZON-EURATOM ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Official topic page on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal: Support for the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform to address cross-sectoral challenges and non-power applications of ionising radiation. URL: ec.europa.eu

This call for proposals supports the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) in addressing cross-sectoral challenges and non-power applications of ionising radiation. The opportunity is part of the Euratom Research and Training Programme under Horizon Europe and focuses on structuring SNETP activities, consolidating networks across different technology areas, and fostering collaboration between European Technology and Innovation Platforms to address challenges spanning both nuclear and non-nuclear energy sources.

Call Identification and Timeline

Call Reference:HORIZON-EURATOM

Call Title:Nuclear research and training

Submission Deadline:15 September 2026 at 00:00 UTC

Submission Procedure:Single-stage submission through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal

Call Opening Date:23 April 2026

Funding Details

Type of Action:HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA)

Maximum Grant Amount:€500,000 per project ¹

Total Budget Available:€500,000 across 2026-2027 (€250,000 in 2026 and €250,000 in 2027)

Expected Number of Projects to be Funded:1 project

Grant Form:Lump sum grant

Project Duration:Indicative duration of three years

Scope and Expected Outcomes

SNETP is a European Technology and Innovation Platform (ETIP) that supports and promotes the safe, secure, reliable and efficient operation of nuclear systems. The platform addresses rapidly developing non-power applications of ionising radiation in sectors such as health, industry and space, which require long-term effort to reduce safety risks and support development of safe nuclear technologies with optimal radiation protection.

The project results are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:structuring of SNETP activities and consolidation of networks in different technology areas covered by the Euratom programme, together with the Implementing Geological Disposal Technology Platform (IGDTP) and the European Radiation Research Platforms (MEENAS); focusing on cross-cutting nuclear energy applications such as nuclear for heat and electricity production, energy supply in space and maritime propulsion, and non-energy applications including medical applications of ionising radiation and improved radiation protection optimisation.

Additional expected outcomes include integrating different energy roadmaps by fostering collaboration between European Technology and Innovation Platforms to address cross-sectoral challenges; supporting SNETP integration in Horizon Europe's cross-sectoral activities with emphasis on non-power applications and radiation protection, education and training; supporting identification of research priorities and key actions for the nuclear research and innovation community within various EU policy instruments such as SET Plan updates; communicating platform activities to policymakers and stakeholders outside the power generation sector; and facilitating cooperation between projects throughout the EU to ensure accessibility and reusability of produced data.

Key Activities and Requirements

The action should support SNETP in structuring its activities and orienting them towards cross-sectoral and non-power applications. It should enable consolidation of sustainable networks across different technology areas covered by the Euratom Research and Training Programme and facilitate cooperation with other ETIPs and similar stakeholder forums. The action should support SNETP efforts to foster more interconnected activities with other industrial sectors, particularly the health sector, in terms of both content and implementation mechanisms.

The proposal should help nuclear scientists integrate more closely into relevant Horizon Europe actions such as Europe's Beating Cancer Action Plan and Cancer Mission, and communicate platform and programme activities to policymakers and stakeholders outside the power generation sector. The proposal must include actions to facilitate cooperation with other projects across the EU and ensure accessibility and reusability of data produced during the projects. A financial and sustainability plan for continuation of activities beyond the funded action duration is required. ²

SNETP's secretariat and other running costs are not eligible for funding under this action. Activities should aim to foster collaboration between ETIPs with particular emphasis on materials, digital and artificial intelligence, and medical and other non-power applications of ionising radiation.

Who Can Apply

This is a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) that supports platform structuring and networking activities. Eligible applicants typically include research institutions, universities, technology platforms, and organisations with expertise in nuclear energy, radiation protection, and related fields. The SNETP itself or a consortium of organisations representing SNETP members and stakeholders would be the primary applicants.

Participants must be legal entities established in EU Member States or Associated Countries. Non-EU participants and international organisations may participate and receive funding if their participation is essential for carrying out the project due to outstanding expertise, access to unique know-how, research infrastructure, particular geographical environments, or access to data. ³

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated using the standard Horizon Europe evaluation criteria for CSAs. For this single-stage call, only Excellence and Impact criteria will be evaluated at the proposal stage.

Excellence Criterion:Evaluators will assess clarity and pertinence of project objectives, extent to which proposed work is ambitious and goes beyond the state of the art, and quality of proposed coordination and support measures including soundness of methodology. The threshold score is 4 out of 5.

Impact Criterion:Evaluators will assess credibility of pathways to achieve expected outcomes and impacts specified in the work programme, and likely scale and significance of project contributions. The threshold score is 4 out of 5.

Scoring ranges from 0 to 5, with half-marks permitted. A score of 0 indicates the proposal fails to address the criterion or cannot be assessed due to missing information. A score of 5 indicates the proposal successfully addresses all relevant aspects with only minor shortcomings.

Eligible Costs and Budget Categories

Euratom funding will be devoted to specific studies, data collection, analysis and workshops for further development of technology roadmaps, implementation plans and deployment strategies, as well as dissemination of platform activities to various stakeholders. Eligible costs typically include personnel costs, subcontracting costs, equipment costs, and other direct costs necessary for implementing the action.

Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under Horizon Europe and actions under the Euratom Research and Training Programme. ⁴ Applicants must provide detailed budget justification and cost estimations for the lump sum approach.

Specific Conditions and Restrictions

SNETP's secretariat and other running costs are not eligible for funding under this action. Proposals must demonstrate how activities will integrate different energy roadmaps (nuclear and non-nuclear) and foster collaboration between ETIPs to address cross-sectoral challenges. Due attention must be given to integrating different energy roadmaps.

The proposal must include a financial and sustainability plan for continuation of activities beyond the duration of the funded action. Applicants should ensure that proposed activities maximise accessibility and reusability of data produced during the project and facilitate cooperation with other projects across the EU.

Application Process and Support

Proposals must be submitted through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal using the electronic submission system. Applicants should use the standard application form available in the submission system. The call coordinator will fix an overall threshold after evaluation to limit proposals invited to any subsequent stages, ensuring total requested budget of admitted proposals is as close as possible to three times the available budget, and in any case not less than two times the available budget.

Applicants can access comprehensive guidance through several resources:the Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains detailed guidance on structure, budget and political priorities; the Online Manual provides guidance on procedures from proposal submission to grant management; the Research Enquiry Service answers questions about European research and EU Research Framework Programmes; National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance and practical information on Horizon Europe participation; and the IT Helpdesk addresses technical questions about proposal submission. ⁵

Key Thematic Areas

The call emphasises several key thematic areas:cross-cutting nuclear energy applications including nuclear for heat and electricity production, energy supply in space and maritime propulsion; non-power applications of ionising radiation in health, industrial and space sectors; integration of nuclear power plants into sustainable low-carbon and smart energy systems; development of power systems for space applications; materials, digital and artificial intelligence applications; medical and other non-power applications of ionising radiation; and radiation protection optimisation.

Important Compliance Requirements

All proposals must comply with Horizon Europe rules for participation and dissemination as set out in Regulation (EU) 2021/695. Beneficiaries must ensure exclusive focus on civil applications; activities intended for military application or serving military purposes cannot be funded. Proposals must address ethics and values requirements, data protection obligations, intellectual property rights management, and communication and visibility requirements including use of the European flag and funding statement.

Beneficiaries must maintain records and supporting documents for at least five years after final payment. Continuous reporting through the Funding and Tenders Portal is required, with periodic technical reports and financial statements submitted according to the reporting schedule. The granting authority reserves the right to conduct checks, reviews, audits and investigations to verify proper implementation of the action.

Contact and Further Information

For detailed information about this funding opportunity, applicants should consult the official call documentation available on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal at HORIZON-EURATOM-LS-2026-01-06 Topic Details. Additional guidance documents, model grant agreements, and evaluation forms are available in the Reference Documents section of the portal.

Footnotes

1. 1The maximum grant amount of €500,000 represents the total funding available for this single Coordination and Support Action. This is a fixed amount regardless of the actual eligible costs declared by the beneficiary, as the grant is provided in the form of a lump sum.
2. 2The financial and sustainability plan is a critical requirement that demonstrates how the platform will continue its activities and maintain its networks beyond the three-year funded period, ensuring long-term impact and institutional sustainability.
3. 3Exceptional funding for non-EU participants and international organisations requires clear justification in the proposal demonstrating that their participation is essential for project implementation due to specific expertise, infrastructure access, or other unique contributions that cannot be provided by EU-based participants.
4. 4The lump sum decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe under Simplified costs decisions, or through the direct link: Lump Sum Decision
5. 5The Enterprise Europe Network also provides support to businesses with special focus on SMEs, offering guidance on EU research funding. The European IPR Helpdesk assists on intellectual property issues, and the CEN-CENELEC and ETSI Research Helpdesks advise on standardisation in project proposals.