(3)

By supporting nuclear research the Research and Training Programme of the Community (hereinafter the ‘Euratom Programme’) will contribute to achieving objectives of the ‘Horizon 2020’ Framework Programme for Research and Innovation established by Regulation (EU XX/XXXX of [….] (hereinafter ‘Horizon 2020 Framework Programme’) and facilitate implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy and the creation and operation of the European Research Area.

(3)

By supporting nuclear research and innovation excellence the Research and Training Programme of the Community (hereinafter the ‘Euratom Programme’) will contribute to achieving objectives of the ‘Horizon 2020’ Framework Programme for Research and Innovation established by Regulation (EU) No…/… of [….] (hereinafter ‘Horizon 2020 Framework Programme’) and facilitate implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy and the creation and operation of the European Research Area and help to implement the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (the ‘SET-Plan’). In addition, the Euratom Programme should seek to make further use of Structural Funds for nuclear research and ensure alignment of the funds with Community research priorities without compromising the principle of excellence .

(3a)

Three major European cooperative initiatives in nuclear science and technology were launched under the Seventh Euratom Framework Programme (2007 to 2011). They are the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP), the Implementing Geological Disposal Technology Platform (IGDTP) and the Multidisciplinary European Low Dose Initiative (MELODI). Both SNETP and IGDTP correspond with SET-Plan objectives.

(4)

Notwithstanding the potential impact of nuclear energy on energy supply and economic development, severe nuclear accidents may have the potential to endanger human health. Therefore, nuclear safety and, where appropriate, security aspects should be given the greatest possible attention in the Euratom Research and Training Programme.

(4)

Notwithstanding the potential impact of nuclear energy on energy supply and economic development, severe nuclear accidents nuclear proliferation and malevolent acts including nuclear terrorism may have the potential to endanger human health. Therefore, nuclear safety and, where appropriate – as part of the work of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) – security aspects should be given the greatest possible attention in the Euratom Programme. Attention should also be paid to third countries that border the Union and cross-border aspects of nuclear safety that underline the Union's added value.

(4a)

The European Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative (ESNII) targets the deployment of Gen-IV Fast Neutron Reactors with closed fuel cycle by 2040. It includes three major projects: the ASTRID prototype (sodium cooled), the ALLEGRO demonstrator (gas cooled) and the MYRRHA technology pilot plant (lead cooled).

(5)

As all Member States have nuclear installations or make use of radioactive materials particularly for medical purposes, the Council has recognised in its conclusions of 2 December 2008 the continuing need for skills in the nuclear field, in particular through appropriate education and training linked with research and coordinated at Community level.

(5)

As all Member States have nuclear installations or make use of radioactive materials particularly for medical purposes, the Council has recognised in its conclusions of 2 December 2008 the continuing need for skills in the nuclear field, in particular through appropriate education and training linked with research as well as improved working conditions which are coordinated at Community level.

(6)

By signing the Agreement on the Establishment of the ITER International Fusion Energy Organisation for the Joint Implementation of the ITER Project, the Community has undertaken to participate in ITER construction and its future exploitation. The Community contribution is managed through the ‘European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy’ (hereinafter ‘Fusion for Energy’), established by Council Decision of 27 March 2007. The activities of Fusion for Energy, including ITER, are to be regulated by a separate legislative act.

(6)

By signing the Agreement on the Establishment of the ITER International Fusion Energy Organisation for the Joint Implementation of the ITER Project, the Community has undertaken to participate in ITER construction and its future exploitation. The Community contribution is managed through the ‘European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy’ (hereinafter ‘Fusion for Energy’), established by Council Decision of 27 March 2007. The activities of Fusion for Energy, including ITER, are to be regulated by a separate legislative act , which, will ensure that the funding for ITER comes from within the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) while also setting a ring-fenced maximum amount for contribution from the Union's budget for the years 2014-2018 .

(6a)

In order to compliment other Union priorities for the coming decades, the framework for nuclear fission research under the Euratom Programme should support the Union's existing objectives and proposals, such as the SET- Plan and the ‘Energy Roadmap 2050’. This framework should also support ESNII. The framework should also, as far as possible, complement broader Union proposals in terms of co-operation with third countries.

(7)

For fusion to become a credible option for commercial energy production, it is, firstly, necessary to successfully and timely complete the construction of ITER and start its operation. Secondly it is necessary to establish an ambitious, yet realistic roadmap towards the production of electricity by 2050. Reaching those goals requires the European fusion programme to be redirected. A stronger focus should be placed on the activities in support to ITER. Such rationalisation should be achieved without jeopardising the European leadership of the fusion scientific community.

(7)

For fusion to become a credible option for commercial energy production, it is, firstly, necessary to successfully and timely complete the construction of ITER and start its operation , and continue to support the activities of existing allied and ancillary projects such as the Joint European Torus (JET) . Secondly it is necessary to establish an ambitious, yet realistic roadmap towards the production of electricity by 2050. Reaching those goals requires the European fusion programme to be redirected. A stronger focus should be placed on the activities in support to ITER , including ensuring its funding within the MFF in a complete and transparent way. Guaranteeing funding within the MFF will guarantee the Community's commitment to the long-term success of the project and prevent costs from mounting exponentially thereafter. Maintaining European leadership of the fusion scientific community is an essential aim of the Euratom Programme .

(8)

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) should continue to provide independent customer-driven scientific and technological support for the formulation, development, implementation and monitoring of Community policies, in particular in the field of nuclear safety and security research and training.

(8)

The JRC should continue to provide independent customer-driven scientific and technological support for the formulation, development, implementation and monitoring of Community policies and , where appropriate, international policies, in particular in the field of nuclear safety and security research and training. It should make this contribution subject to guidelines to be adopted by the Union institutions, particularly in the light of the stress tests on nuclear power plants.

(10)

While it is for each Member State to choose whether or not to make use of nuclear power, the role of the Union is to develop, in the interest of all its Member States, a framework to support joint cutting-edge research, knowledge creation and knowledge preservation on nuclear fission technologies, with special emphasis on safety, security, radiation protection and non-proliferation. That requires independent scientific evidence, to which the JRC can make a key contribution. That has been recognised in the Commission Communication ‘Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative Innovation Union’, in which the Commission stated its intention to strengthen scientific evidence for policy making through the JRC. The JRC proposes to respond to that challenge by focusing its nuclear safety and security research on the Union's policy priorities.

(10)

While it is for each Member State to choose whether or not to make use of nuclear power, the role of the Union is to develop, in the interest of all its Member States, a framework to support joint cutting-edge research, knowledge creation and knowledge preservation on nuclear fission technologies, in particular new generation fission reactors, with special emphasis on safety, security, radiation protection , including improved working conditions for those engaged in working directly with nuclear materials, nuclear decommissioning and non-proliferation. That requires independent scientific evidence, to which the JRC can make a key contribution. That has been recognised in the Commission Communication ‘Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative Innovation Union’, in which the Commission stated its intention to strengthen scientific evidence for policy making through the JRC. The JRC proposes to respond to that challenge by focusing its nuclear safety and security research on the Union's policy priorities. The precise nature of this research should be determined subject to guidelines to be adopted by the Union institutions, particularly in the light of the stress tests on nuclear power plants.

(10a)

Since Europe’s citizens must remain at the core of discussions at Union level, the European Parliament should be more broadly involved in the deliberations and the decisions taken about the Euratom Programme.

(11)

With the aim of deepening the relationship between science and society and reinforcing public confidence in science, the Euratom Programme should favour an informed engagement of citizens and civil society on research and innovation matters by promoting science education, by making scientific knowledge more accessible, by developing responsible research and innovation agendas that meet citizens’ and civil society's concerns and expectations and by facilitating their participation in the Euratom programme activities.

(11)

With the aim of deepening the relationship between science and society and reinforcing public confidence in science, the Euratom Programme should favour an informed engagement of citizens and civil society on research and innovation matters by promoting science education, by making scientific knowledge more accessible, by developing responsible research and innovation agendas that meet citizens’ and civil society's concerns and expectations and by facilitating their participation in the Euratom Programme activities. This should include making scientific and research careers attractive to the next generation of researchers, in particular if they are from groups under-represented in research. This informed engagement by citizens on matters connected with the Euratom Programme implies closer involvement of the European Parliament, which represents Europe’s citizens .

(13)

The Euratom Programme should contribute to the attractiveness of the research profession in the Union. Adequate attention should be paid to the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, together with other relevant reference frameworks defined in the context of the European Research Area, while respecting their voluntary nature.

(13)

The Euratom Programme should seek to promote the attractiveness of the research profession in the Union with the general aim of increasing the visibility of science in society but also with the aim of preventing any skills shortage in the Union or ‘brain- drain’ from the Union to third countries . While much expertise currently exists within the Union, it is vitally important that a new generation of nuclear researchers be trained in all aspects of nuclear research. The Euratom Programme should also at all levels seek to give European added value for all those seeking to participate in nuclear research. Adequate attention should be paid to the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, together with other relevant reference frameworks defined in the context of the European Research Area, while respecting their voluntary nature.

(15)

Research and innovation activities supported by the Euratom Programme should respect fundamental ethical principles. The opinions of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies should be taken into account. Research activities should also take into account Article 13 of the TFEU and reduce the use of animals in research and testing , with a view to ultimately replacing animal use . All activities should be carried out ensuring a high level of human health protection.

(15)

Research and innovation activities supported by the Euratom Programme have to respect ethical principles. The opinions of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies should be taken into account. Research activities should also take into account Article 13 TFEU and replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research and testing. All activities should be carried out ensuring a high level of human health protection.

(16)

A greater impact should also be achieved by combining the Euratom Programme and private sector funds within public-private partnerships in key areas where research and innovation could contribute to Union's wider competitiveness goals. Particular attention should be given to the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises.

(16)

A greater impact should also be achieved by combining the Euratom Programme and private sector funds within public-private partnerships in key areas where research and innovation could contribute to Union's wider competitiveness goals. Particular attention should be given to the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) . The need to increase the uptake of available community funding by SMEs should apply to those working in nuclear research as it does in other fields. The Euratom Programme should support SMEs at all stages in the innovation chain, especially activities closer to the market inter alia through the use of innovative financial instruments. Such support should include the dedicated SME instrument and all the revised financial instruments which should provide for appropriate measures to unleash the full innovation potential of SMEs and which will become available through the Horizon 2020 FrameworkProgramme as well as similar programmes such as the Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (2014 — 2020) (COSME).

(17)

The Euratom Programme should promote cooperation, in particular in the field of safety , with third countries based on common interest and mutual benefit .

(17)

The Euratom Programme should , in particular, take account of all nuclear installations in third countries which border the Union , especially if they are located in an area susceptible to natural disasters. International cooperation on nuclear energy should contain appropriate instruments for securing mutual financial obligations . This must include cooperative contracts and reciprocal financial obligations

(19)

The need for a new approach to control and risk management in Union research funding was recognised by the European Council of 4 February 2011, asking for a new balance between trust and control and between risk-taking and risk avoidance. The European Parliament , in its Resolution of 11 November 2010 on simplifying the implementation of the Research Framework Programmes, called for a pragmatic shift towards administrative and financial simplification and stated that the management of Union research funding should be more trust-based and risk-tolerant towards participants.

(19)

The need for a new approach to control and risk management in Union research funding was recognised by the European Council of 4 February 2011, asking for a new balance between trust and control and between risk-taking and risk avoidance. The European Parliament has called for a radical simplification of Union research and innovation funding and has made numerous calls for a shift towards much greater administrative and financial simplification. In its resolution of 11 November 2010 (1) on simplifying the implementation of the Research Framework Programmes the European Parliament called for a pragmatic shift towards administrative and financial simplification and stated that the management of Union research funding should be more trust-based and risk-tolerant towards participants. In its resolution 8 June 2011 on Investing in the future: a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Europe  (2) the European Parliament reiterated its call for a shift towards administrative and financial simplification and also emphasised that any increase of funds should be coupled with a radical simplification of funding procedures. The Euratom Programme should also duly consider the concerns and recommendations from the researchers’ community as expressed in the final report of the Expert Group ‘Interim Evaluation of the 7th Framework Programme’ of 12 November 2010 as well as in the Commission's Green Paper of 9 February 2011 entitled ‘From Challenges to Opportunities towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovative Funding’.

(20)

The financial interests of the Union should be protected through proportionate measures throughout the expenditure cycle, including the prevention, detection and investigation of irregularities, the recovery of funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used and, where appropriate, penalties. A revised control strategy, shifting focus from minimisation of error rates towards risk-based control and fraud detection, should reduce the control burden for participants.

(20)

The financial interests of the Union should be protected through necessary, proportionate and efficient measures throughout the expenditure cycle, including the prevention, detection and investigation of irregularities, the recovery of funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used and, where appropriate, penalties. A revised control strategy, shifting focus from minimisation of error rates towards risk-based control and fraud detection, should reduce the control burden for participants.

(25)

Article 7 of the Euratom Treaty entrusts the Commission with the responsibility of carrying out the Euratom Programme. For the purposes of implementing the Euratom Programme, except its direct actions, the Commission should be assisted by a consultative committee of Member States to ensure appropriate coordination with national policies in the areas covered by this research and training programme.

(25)

Article 7 of the Euratom Treaty entrusts the Commission with the responsibility of carrying out the Euratom Programme. For the purposes of implementing the Euratom Programme, except its direct actions, the Commission should be assisted by a consultative committee of Member States to ensure appropriate coordination with national policies in the areas covered by this research and training programme and to foster strong synergies and complementarities between European, national and regional funds. The European Parliament should be involved in the Commission’s implementation of the Euratom Programme .

(25a)

(29a)

Following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty and the enhanced role granted to the European Parliament in terms of budgetary procedure, the current legal framework should be discussed.

(ea)

‘small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)’ means a legal entity fulfilling the criteria laid down in the Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC of 6 May 2003 concerning the definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises  (3) .

(a)

support safe operation of nuclear systems;

(a)

support safe operation of all existing and future civilian nuclear systems;

(c)

support the development and sustainability of nuclear competences at Union level;

(c)

support the measures necessary to ensure suitably trained human resources and the development and sustainability of nuclear competences at Union level;

(d)

foster radiation protection;

(d)

support R&D in the field of radiation protection; and seek to maintain the highest level of working conditions for those working directly with nuclear materials;

(da)

contribute to the R&D agenda resulting from the recommendations listed in the conclusions of the Union stress-tests (e.g. seismic modelling, core melt behaviour,…);

(db)

support the long-term sustainability of nuclear fission through improvements in the field of reactor time extension or in the design of new reactor types;

(f)

lay the foundations for future fusion power plants by developing materials, technologies and conceptual design;

(f)

lay the foundations for future fusion and fission power plants by developing materials, technologies and conceptual design;

(g)

promote innovation and industrial competitiveness ;

(g)

promote innovation and European industrial leadership in fission and fusion ;

(ga)

support the three priorities of Horizon 2020: excellent science, industrial leadership and societal challenges;

(h)

ensure availability and use of research infrastructures of pan-European relevance;

(h)

ensure availability and use , and promote the development, of new research infrastructures of pan-European relevance;

(a)

improve nuclear safety including: fuel and reactor safety, waste management and decommissioning, and emergency preparedness;

(a)

improve nuclear safety including: fuel and reactor safety, waste management and decommissioning, emergency preparedness, working conditions for those working directly with nuclear materials and dealing with the direct consequences of nuclear safety incidents, however unlikely they may be ;

(d)

foster knowledge management, education and training;

(d)

foster knowledge management, education and training , including increasing the uptake of nuclear research among European scientists as well as attracting those from outside the Union ;

(e)

support the policy of the Union on nuclear safety and security and the related evolving Union legislation.

(e)

support the policy of the Union on nuclear safety and security and the related evolving Union legislation , including working towards the development of internationally recognised standards of nuclear safety for fission reactors;

(ea)

address any skills shortage in relation to nuclear expertise and prevent any future skills leakage or ‘brain drain’ of nuclear scientists from the Union;

(eb)

complement all required safety improvements suggested following the results of the stress tests carried out on all nuclear reactors in the Union and third countries that border the Union. This should focus on contributing to the R & D agenda resulting from their recommendations;

(ec)

support the simplification agenda of Horizon 2020, reducing the administrative burdens of previous framework programmes, in particular on SMEs, universities and smaller research institutes.

(a)

indirect actions for the fusion research and development programme, EUR 709,713  million;

(a)

indirect actions for the fusion research and development programme, EUR 636,095  million;

(b)

indirect actions for nuclear fission, safety and radiation protection, EUR 354,857  million;

(b)

indirect actions for nuclear fission, safety and radiation protection, EUR 318,048  million;

(c)

direct actions, EUR 724,319  million.

(c)

direct actions, EUR 649,186  million.

(ca)

combat all forms of nuclear proliferation and trafficking;

(cb)

support international efforts in respect of developing common international safety standards;

(cc)

contribute to the improvement of knowledge exchange.

(a)

initiatives aimed at widening awareness and facilitating access to funding under the Euratom Programme, in particular for those regions or types of participant that are underrepresented;

(a)

initiatives aimed at widening awareness and facilitating access to funding under the Euratom Programme, in particular for those regions or types of participant that are underrepresented and in particular for SMEs to increase their uptake of available funding and participation in appropriate programmes.

(d)

Foster radiation protection (Excellent science; Societal challenges)

(d)

Support R&D in the field of radiation protection (Excellent science; Societal challenges)

(a)

Improve nuclear safety including: fuel and reactor safety, waste management and decommissioning, and emergency preparedness

(a)

Improve nuclear safety including: fuel and reactor safety, waste management and decommissioning, improve working conditions of those working with nuclear materials and emergency preparedness

(1)

severe accident analyses modelling and methodologies for assessment of nuclear installations operational safety margins; support to the establishment of a common European approach to the evaluation of advanced fuel cycles and designs; and investigation and dissemination of the lessons learnt from the operational experience. The JRC shall further reinforce its ‘European Clearinghouse on NPP Operational Experience Feedback’ to respond to the emerging post-Fukushima nuclear safety challenges.

(1)

severe accident analyses modelling and methodologies for assessment of nuclear installations operational safety margins; support to the establishment of a common European approach to the evaluation of advanced fuel cycles and designs; and investigation and dissemination of the lessons learnt from the operational experience. The JRC shall pursue the work of the ‘European Clearinghouse on NPP Operational Experience Feedback’ to respond to the emerging post-Fukushima nuclear safety challenges , continuing to draw on relevant expertise in the Member States .

(da)

Contribute to the R&D agenda resulting from the recommendations listed in the conclusions of the Union stress tests such as those related to seismic modelling or core melt simulation

—

Percentage of funded projects likely to facilitate the application of these recommendations.

(db)

Support the long-term sustainability of nuclear fission through improvements in the field of reactor time extension or in the design of new reactor types

—

Percentage of funded projects likely to have a demonstrable impact in the field of reactor time extension or in the design of new reactors types.

(e)

Move toward demonstration of feasibility of fusion as a power source by exploiting existing and future fusion facilities

(e)

Move toward demonstration of feasibility of fusion as a power source by exploiting existing and future fusion facilities and developing materials, technologies and conceptual design