Enhancing the European nuclear competence area

Opened

Code: 40231 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2026-01-03 | Programme name: 23715 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 15/09/2026

The purpose is to support the programme’s objective of maintaining and enhancing the EU’s nuclear competences in the field of nuclear safety, security, safeguards, radioactive waste management and radiation protection.

The consortium would implement a comprehensive and sustainable pan-European E&T programme in the areas related to the use of nuclear engineering and technologies (including ionising radiation applications beyond nuclear energy). The action should build on activities that have been previously developed under Euratom and other EU programmes and should complement national efforts when appropriate.

The project should use results from previously conducted analyses to streamline the effort to build up the skills and competences needed for the safe development of the nuclear sector. It should generate EU added value by complementing national educational and training programmes in order to ensure that sufficient and skilled staff are available for the sector.

The action should foster a long-term career perspective within the field (considering current job trends and their evolution; and investigating what is needed to make the nuclear sector attractive to talented people). Human resources specialists should be involved. To ensure continuity and avoid duplication, the action should be led by experienced EU actors (see ENEN2plus, Skills4Nuclear).

European Partnership for research in radiation protection and detection of ionising radiation

Opened

Code: 40228 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2026-01-09 | Programme name: 23715 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 15/09/2026

The Commission invites proposals for the establishment of the European Partnership for research into radiation protection and detection of ionising radiation.

Proposed partnerships should fulfil the requirements set out in this topic as well as meet the criteria for the selection and implementation of European partnerships and their monitoring, evaluation, phase-out or renewal as set in the Horizon Europe Regulation.

Safety of operating nuclear power plants and research reactors

Opened

Code: 40225 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2026-01-01 | Programme name: 23715 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 15/09/2026

Euratom research will be driven by the increasing importance of long-term operation (LTO) and by the fact that the current and planned innovative fleet will consist mainly of light water-cooled reactors.

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

Opened

Code: 40222 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2026-01-06 | Programme name: 23715 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 15/09/2026

SNETP is a European technology and innovation platform (ETIP) that supports and promotes the safe, secure, reliable and efficient operation of nuclear systems. Rapidly developing non-power applications of ionising radiation (e.g. in the health, industrial and space sectors) will require long-term effort to reduce safety risks and support the development of safe nuclear technologies and optimal radiation protection.

Co-funded European partnership for research in nuclear materials

Opened

Code: 40219 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2026-01-08 | Programme name: 23715 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 15/09/2026

Η επιστήμη των υλικών είναι ένας από τους κύριους μοχλούς της τεχνολογικής ανάπτυξης και της βιομηχανικής καινοτομίας. Στον πυρηνικό τομέα, η έρευνα υλικών διαδραματίζει κρίσιμο ρόλο στη βελτίωση της ασφάλειας, της αποδοτικότητας και της οικονομίας των πυρηνικών εγκαταστάσεων. Υποστηρίζει τεχνολογικές βελτιώσεις και βελτιώσεις ασφαλείας σε υφιστάμενους πυρηνικούς αντιδραστήρες και σε νέες κατασκευές. Επίσης, επιτρέπει την ανάπτυξη προηγμένων σχεδίων αντιδραστήρων (συμπεριλαμβανομένων των SMR).

Strengthening a European user facility for nuclear research

Opened

Code: 40216 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2026-01-04 | Programme name: 23715 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 15/09/2026

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.

Towards a European production of stable isotopes for novel nuclear medicine therapies (SAMIRA/ERVI)

Opened

Code: 40213 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2026-01-05 | Programme name: 23715 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 15/09/2026

Radiological and nuclear technologies are integral to modern healthcare. They play a crucial role in cancer care – from early detection and diagnosis to treatment and palliative support.

They also support the diagnosis and management of a wide range of other conditions (including cardiovascular and neurological diseases). Each year, patients throughout the EU benefit from the application of nuclear medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other serious conditions.

Safety of SMRs, advanced and innovative nuclear reactors and fuels

Opened

Code: 40210 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EURATOM-2026-01-02 | Programme name: 23715 | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 15/09/2026

the Commission expects from this Topic a balanced portfolio of projects covering both LW-SMRs and AMRs with their fuel cycles. The focus on safety will also cover research and innovation needed to independently demonstrate the safety of innovative systems, critical structures for both LW-SMRs and AMRs with their fuel cycles.

Developers’ goals are systems that offer increased safety, sustainability, economic competitiveness, and also enhance fuel efficiency, minimise waste generation, foresee non-electric applications and flexibility in terms of adaptation to the energy mix with intermittent/variable sources. These innovative reactor technologies aim at including safety-by-design features. Research should also be conducted on the safety of advanced coolant technologies, reactor hybridisation and fuel designs.

Non-thematic actions targeting disruptive technologies for defence

Opened

Code: 40207 | Identifier Code: EDF-2026-LS-DIS-NT | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 15/04/2026 | End submission calls: 29/09/2026

This call topic aims to fund proposals that can deliver ‘disruptive technologies for defence’, as defined in Article 2(13) of the EDF Regulation. This refers to enhanced or entirely new technologies that bring about a radical change, including a paradigm shift in the concept and conduct of defence affairs, for example by replacing or rendering obsolete existing defence technologies.

This call topic contributes to the STEP objectives, as defined in the STEP Regulation.

Proposals must address disruptive knowledge, products and technologies in any area of defence interest6 from TRL 4 and above7 (e.g., Artificial Intelligence, quantum technologies, autonomous systems, robotics, advanced materials). Funding will not be provided without a clear technological objective targeting defence applications.

Non-thematic research actions by SMEs and research organisations

Opened

Code: 40204 | Identifier Code: EDF-2026-LS-DIS-RA-SMERO-NT | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 15/04/2026 | End submission calls: 29/09/2026

This call topic encourages the driving role of innovative SMEs and Research Organisations (RO) in bringing forward innovation defence research, possibly by adapting technologies from civil applications or addressing hybrid warfare.

This call topic contributes to the STEP objectives, as set out in the STEP Regulation5, in any of the target investment areas.

Teaming Synergies

Opened

Code: 40202 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-01-WIDENING-01 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 24/09/2026

The call topic aims at fostering collaboration among Teaming Centres of Excellence, both existing ones and those resulting from ongoing or future calls, in view of supporting their efforts towards sustainability and increased impact at the regional, national and European level.

Research Management Facility

Opened

Code: 40200 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-04-WIDENING-01 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 23/04/2026 | End submission calls: 24/09/2026

This action aims at creating a research management facility to provide support services including trainings to research institutions and their staff in Widening countries that want to establish or upgrade existing capacities and competencies in research management. The project should establish a facility inviting research performing organisations from Widening countries to support them in assessing their needs for excellent research management capacities, and develop implementation plans to improve their institutional and human capacities. The facility may also support successful applicants of ERA Research Manager actions in identifying leading research manager internationally.