1 Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection In FP6 Towards a new way of working Hans Forsström European Commission DG Research Directorate J, Unit 4: Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection

2 Main challenges to Euratom research in nuclear fission (1) Enlargement of the EU (from 15 to 28 Member States) (2) Towards achievement of the Internal Energy Market (2.1) Green Paper “Towards a European Strategy for the security of Energy Supply until the year 2010” (november 2000) (2.2) Towards harmonisation of nuclear safety practices (3) General concerns about environment and sustainable development (Kyoto) (4) Changes in the decision making processes (emphasis on accountability, transparency, rigour and credibility) Tentative answer of the Commission in areas where EU research may help : the “European Research Area” and the 6th framework programme (EC as well as Euratom) as one of its implementation instruments

3 European research policy The European Research Area u A blueprint for the future of research in Europe u Broad support at the highest political, scientific and industrial levels u Being implemented National programmes ‘Open Coordination’ Framework programme European organisations

4 FP6 - Basic Starting Points Areas of “public benefit” Greatest “European added value” Close partnership with the Member States Bigger projects of longer duration

5 FP6 - Basic Starting Points (cont) Limited funding available Largest impact Concentration ERA - structuring

6 Principles guiding the design of the new FP-6 instruments (IP and NoE) u Simplification and streamlining ã to minimise the overheads for all concerned whether applicant, contractor or the Commission ã to speed up procedures, especially time-to-contract u Flexibility and adaptability ã to enable instruments to be applicable throughout the priority themes ã to enable projects to evolve u Increased management autonomy ã to eliminate unnecessary micromanagement u While preserving public accountability and protecting interests of the Community

7 A wider range of instruments u Integrated projects (IP) u Networks of excellence (NoE) u Specific targeted research projects u Coordination actions u Specific support actions u Actions to promote and develop human resources and mobility u Integrated infrastructure initiatives u Article 169 (joint implementation of national programmes) - not Euratom

8 FP6 - Nuclear Energy u Priority Thematic Areas Controlled thermonuclear fusion 750 M€ Management of radioactive waste 90 M€ Radiation protection 50 M€ u Other activities in the field of nuclear safety 50 M€ Innovative concepts Education and training Safety of existing installations u Joint Research Centre 290 M€

9 Controlled thermonuclear fusion The Next Step in fusion: continuation of activities in preparation of the construction phase of ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) Accompanying Programme: Operation of the JET device Continuation of research into fusion physics and technology, including study of other magnetic confinement formulas and operation of existing devices; fusion materials research

10 Management of radioactive waste u Geological disposal u Partitioning and transmutation u Other concepts for nuclear energy that produce less waste

11 Radiation protection u Quantification of risks at low and protracted doses u Better integration of European research on: - medical exposures and natural sources of radiation - protection of the environment and radioecology - risk and emergency management - protection of the workplace

12 Other activities in the field of nuclear technology and safety u Innovative concepts u Education and training u Safety of existing installations