Preparatory phase for a European production capability to secure a supply of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel
Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
The Euratom Research and Training programme has the following specific objectives:
- improve and support nuclear safety, security, safeguards, radiation protection, safe spent fuel and radioactive waste management and decommissioning, including the safe and secure use of nuclear power and of non-power applications of ionising radiation
maintain and further develop expertise and competence in the nuclear field within the community - foster the development of fusion energy as a potential future energy source for electricity production and contribute to the implementation of the European fusion roadmap
- support the policy of the EU and its members on continuous improvement of nuclear safety, safeguards and security
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
This action should provide catalytic and leveraging support for a preparatory phase aiming at bringing the project to a level of maturity required to potentially enable construction work to start on the EU’s production capability. It should therefore cover all relevant outstanding issues in strategic planning, technical work, financial arrangements and financing mechanisms, project logistics and legal aspects.
The preparatory phase should aim at optimal coordination, cross-border operation and possible integration of national research actions of trans-European interest in the field. This might lead to the possible setting up or reinforcement of legal entities to achieve optimal cooperation and joint programming. The preparatory phase should aim to bring the initiatives emerging today in different fields to the level of managerial, legal and financial maturity required to implement them.
Detailed Call Description
To reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation, EU Member States are strongly committed to the principle of minimisation of highly enriched uranium, with the objective of converting research reactors and radioisotope production targets to high-assay low-enriched (19.75%) uranium (HALEU).
The preparatory phase should include:
- Strategic work
- ex ante analysis of the socio-economic impact of the initiatives, taking the limits and long term benefits into account;
- plans to integrate the different national research initiatives in accordance with the EU objective of balanced territorial development whenever appropriate;
- creation or consolidation of centres of excellence or regional partner facilities.
- Management work
- planning in terms of coordination and integration of national efforts for a period of at least 10 years;
- recruitment plan (timing, resources) to manage the initiatives;
- organisation of logistic support for European research teams, including the setting up of the required e-infrastructure.
- Governance work: preparation of adequate decision-making and (separated) management structures, advisory bodies, intellectual property rights, access rules for researchers, etc.
- Financial work
- financial arrangements, possibly step by step, for the coordination and integration of national efforts following EU principles and the Financial Regulation;
- studying new mechanisms, for example pre-commercial procurement processes or support from EU structural funds or Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI), by which public authorities may develop new research & innovation approaches.
- Legal work
- identification of adequate legal structures for the setting up, construction and operation of the integrated or joint research programmes;
- drafting of intergovernmental agreements in the form of a ‘signature-ready’ document for the setting up and actual implementation of the initiatives.
- Technical work, whenever needed, such as:
- planning for the transfer of knowledge from existing prototypes or key enabling technologies developed at national level to the Euratom Community;
- adaptation of national research facilities ensuring their optimal exploitation by the beneficiary scientific communities at European level; additional research work can also be proposed, provided it helps meet the above objectives.
After 2 years, a successful preparatory phase should lead to the implementation of joint programmes based on public-public and public-private partnerships, with increased efficiency and consistency as well as better visibility and attractiveness at global level.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
100%
EU Contribution per project: €1.00 million
Approximate number of proposals: 1
Thematic Categories
- Industry
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
Eligibility for Participation
- Educational Institutions
- Local Authorities
- Other Beneficiaries
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Semi-governmental organisations
- State-owned Enterprises
- Training Centres
Eligibility For Participation Notes
Project consortia should involve all the stakeholders necessary to move the project forward, take decisions and make financial commitments before joint programmes can start (e.g. national or regional ministries or governments, research councils, funding agencies). Operators of research facilities, research centres, universities, industry and regulatory authorities should be involved where appropriate.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
EU Contact Point
Contact: RTD-EURATOM@ec.europa.eu
(Publish Date: 04/04/2023-for internal use only)