A compromise proposal from the Polish Presidency, which will be presented at the meeting of the EU Council’s Working Party on Research on 28 April, incorporates the main elements of the European Commission’s proposal to extend the Euratom programme by two years.
This programme, which funds research in the nuclear field and related training activities, was initially intended to run from 2021 to 2025, but will be extended by two years in 2025 (see EUROPE 12627/15). The proposal therefore aims to prolong the timetable to bring it into line with the end of the EU’s current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which will expire in 2027.
It provides funding for research and training in areas such as improving nuclear safety, radiation protection and radioactive waste management, as well as supporting the development of nuclear fusion.
The EU Council document thus takes up the Commission’s proposal for additional funding for fusion research and innovation, which could be encouraged through calls for proposals.
The Polish Presidency’s compromise also preserves the amount of over 598 million already allocated for the implementation of the programme, covering the period between 1 January 2026 and 31 December 2027. This amount is divided between indirect actions in the field of fusion research and development (252 million), indirect actions in the field of nuclear fission, safety and radiation protection (115 million) and direct actions undertaken by the Joint Research Centre (230 million).
Once the EU Council’s research experts have analysed the compromise, it should be approved by the Member States' ambassadors to the EU (Coreper).
To see the Presidency compromise dated 22 April: https://aeur.eu/f/ghs
To see the Commission’s proposal: https://aeur.eu/f/ght (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)