COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT INTERIM EVALUATION OF DIRECT ACTIONS OF THE EURATOM RESEARCH AND TRAINING PROGRAMME 2014-2018 Accompanying the document REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE Interim evaluation of the Euratom Research and Training Programme 2014-2018
Date: 2017-12-01
Institutions: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission
Subjects: EAEC, EU financing, EU programme, Framework Programme for Research and Development, Joint Research Centre, nuclear research, nuclear safety, nuclear technology, scientific cooperation, vocational training

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 1.12.2017  SWD(2017) 426 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT INTERIM EVALUATION OF DIRECT ACTIONS OF THE EURATOM RESEARCH AND TRAINING PROGRAMME 2014-2018 Accompanying the document REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE Interim evaluation of the Euratom Research and Training Programme 2014-2018 {COM(2017) 697 final} - {SWD(2017) 427 final} - {SWD(2017) 440 final} - {SWD(2017) 441 final}  
 
 
Contents 

1. 

2. 

Executive summary ..................................................................................................................... 4 

Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 6 

2.1. 

Context and legal basis ....................................................................................................... 6 

2.2.  Objectives and scope .......................................................................................................... 6 

3.  Methodology and objectives .................................................................................................... 10 

4. 

Implementation ........................................................................................................................ 11 

4.1.  Overview of the programme ............................................................................................. 11 

4.2. 

Planning and execution ..................................................................................................... 11 

4.3. 

State of play ...................................................................................................................... 12 

5.  Relevance .................................................................................................................................. 14 

5.1. 

Relevance of the topics addressed ................................................................................... 14 

5.2. 

Relevance to European objectives .................................................................................... 14 

5.3. 

Relevance to stakeholders needs ..................................................................................... 14 

6. 

Effectiveness ............................................................................................................................. 16 

6.1.  Outputs delivered ............................................................................................................. 16 

6.2. 

Expected long term results and impacts ........................................................................... 17 

6.3. 

Success stories .................................................................................................................. 19 

7. 

Efficiency ................................................................................................................................... 21 

7.1. 

JRC resources .................................................................................................................... 21 

7.1.1. 

The budget ................................................................................................................ 21 

7.1.2. 

The staff .................................................................................................................... 21 

7.2. 

JRC Euratom research and training programme, productivity and impact ...................... 22 

7.2.1. 

Policy support outputs .............................................................................................. 22 

7.2.2. 

Scientific outputs ...................................................................................................... 23 

7.2.3. 

Impact achieved ........................................................................................................ 23 

8.  Coherence ................................................................................................................................. 24 

8.1. 

Internal coherence between areas of the programme .................................................... 24 

8.2. 

External coherence with main stakeholders ..................................................................... 24 

9. 

EU added value ......................................................................................................................... 26 

10.  Key findings ............................................................................................................................... 28 

10.1.  Relevance .......................................................................................................................... 28 

10.2.  Effectiveness ..................................................................................................................... 28 

10.3.  Efficiency ........................................................................................................................... 30 

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10.4.  Programme's internal coherence and EU added value .................................................... 31 

11.  Lessons learned – Areas of improvement................................................................................. 32 

12.  Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 33 

Annex 1: Procedural information concerning the process to prepare the interim evaluation of indirect 
actions of the Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018. ........................................... 34 

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1.  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

This  Staff  Working  Document  presents  the  interim  evaluation  of  the  direct  actions  of  the  Joint 
Research  Centre (JRC)  of  the  European  Commission implemented  under  the  Euratom  research  and 
training  programme  2014-20181  (hereinafter  the  Euratom  Programme).  It  takes  into  account  the 
external  evaluation2  conducted  by  a  panel  of  high-level  independent  experts  between  October  2016 
and April 2017.  

The  general  objective  of  the  Euratom  Programme  is  to  pursue  nuclear  research  and  training 
activities  with  an  emphasis on continuous improvement of  nuclear safety,  security and  radiation 
protection, notably to potentially contribute to the long-term decarbonisation of the energy system 
in a safe, efficient and secure way. The general objective is implemented through the direct and 
indirect actions which pursue the specific objectives. 

The scope of this interim evaluation encompasses the direct actions of the JRC carried out in the 
context of the Euratom Programme  during its first half, assessing the continued relevance of the 
programme’s  objectives,  reviewing  initial  outputs  and  early  impacts  of  the  programme  and 
considering areas for improvement for the remaining part of the programme.  

The  present  document  describes  how  the  programme  is  implemented,  showing  its  structure  and 
explaining the mechanism for adoption. 

The evaluation follows the guidelines for Better regulation3, considering the aspects of relevance, 
efficiency,  effectiveness,  coherence  and  EU  added  value  of  the  work  performed  under  the 
programme and its follow up for the coming period to the end of it. 

The effort carried out to meet the needs of the EU and ensure a global influence is described in 
this report. The direct actions performed constitute a diverse programme of scientific and technical 
work,  which  supports  the  EU  policies,  the  Commission  political  agenda  and  meets  EU  Member 
States needs in relation to nuclear safety and security. 

The programme is achieving its objectives both by providing scientific and technological support 
for the EU research and training policies on nuclear safety and security, and also by contributing 
to improve the nuclear security and nuclear safety in Europe and worldwide. 

The efficiency of the direct actions is evaluated against  two aspects: the productivity, defined as 
number  of  outputs  delivered,  and  the  impact  provided  in  support  to  the  EU  policies,  which  is 
predefined according to a generic set of impact indicators. A bibliometric analysis carried out for 
the period 2007-2015, showed that  the  performance of JRC’s research publications in the field of 
Nuclear  Science  and  Technology  is  well  above  average,  and  ranking  well  amongst  peer 
organisations;  the  importance  of  the  policy  support  outputs  delivered  and  its  quality  were 
recognised  and  underlined  several  times  by  the  expert's  panel  that  carried  out  the  interim 
evaluation.  

The  programme  shows  coherence  both,  internally  and  externally.  The  different  parts  of  the 
programme are mutually supporting, learning from each other to obtain benefits and synergies. At 

1  Council  Regulation  (Euratom)  No  1314/2013  on  the  Research  and  Training  programme  of  the  European  Atomic  Energy 

Community (2014-2018) complementing the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 

2 Commission Expert Group Interim Evaluation of the Direct Actions under the Euratom Research and Training Programme 
3 COM(2015)215- Better Regulation Guidelines: http://ec.europa.eu/smart-regulation/guidelines/docs/swd_br_guidelines_en.pdf 

4 

 
                                                            
 
the same time the direct actions performed are supporting research programmes carried out under 
other schemes such as indirect actions and national programmes. The participation in contractual 
activities  complements  the  tasks  outlined  in  the  direct  actions  and  allows  the  JRC  to  be  firmly 
integrated in the European research landscape. 

The  EU  added  value  of  the  direct  actions  of  the  Euratom  programme  is  demonstrated  by  the 
following  components:  it  complements  national  research  programmes;  it  provides  essential 
scientific  and  technical  support  to  the  Commission  in  the  preparation,  implementation  and 
monitoring of the EU policies and to fulfil its legal obligations and competences; it supports the 
standardization,  and  it  provides  training  in  the  fields  of  its  objectives.  The  representation  of 
Euratom  in  Generation IV  International  Forum4  and  the  coordination  of  the  Euratom’s  technical 
and scientific contribution to Generation IV stem from the Euratom programme direct actions or 
are funded through its indirect actions, completed with MS direct contributions. 

The recommendations received from the external evaluation panel for the reporting period, as well 
as the actions proposed to address these recommendations are included. 

Regarding  efficiency  and  effectiveness  of  the  Programme,  the  reports  indicated  some  areas 
requiring some improvement.  Some of the recommendations will be implemented during the next 
two years programme 2019-2010, other will be further analysed. 

4 Agreement extending the Framework Agreement for international collaboration on research and development of Generation IV 
nuclear energy systems 

5 

 
 
                                                            
2. 

INTRODUCTION 

2.1.  Context and legal basis 

This  Staff  Working Document presents  interim evaluation of  the direct actions  described on the 
Euratom research and training programme (2014-2018) implemented by the Joint Research Centre 
(JRC) of the European Commission. It takes into account the external evaluation conducted by a 
panel of high-level independent experts between October 2016 and April 2017.  

The  Joint  Research  Centre  supports  the  Commission  in  fulfilling  the  obligations  set  up  by  the 
Euratom  Treaty  in  the  areas  of  nuclear  research  and  training.  The  JRC’s  nuclear  research 
activities, for the period 2014-2018, are defined in the Euratom Programme. It also contains the 
provision for an interim review in Article 22, which states that by 31 May 2017 the Commission 
shall  carry  out  an  interim  evaluation  of  the  Euratom  Programme  with  the  assistance  of 
independent experts.  The evaluation concerns "the achievements of the programme at the level of 
results  and  progress  towards  impacts,  of  the  objectives  and  continued  relevance  of  all  the 
measures, the efficiency and use of resources, the scope for further simplification, and European 
added value".  

Specific  inter-institutional  and  Commission  requirements  further  frame  this  evaluation,  in 
particular, those related to the Financial Regulation (Article 6), the Implementing Rules (Article 
27.3)5 and the evaluation standards6.  

For  this  purpose  the  panel  of  experts  carried  out  an  evaluation  of  the  quality  of  the  research 
activities,  the  programme’s  implementation  and  management,  and  the  progress  towards  the 
relevant objectives set in the Euratom programme. The final report has been prepared by the panel 
with conclusions and recommendations as regards the JRC’s implementation of its direct actions 
under the Euratom Research and Training Programme (2014-2018).  

2.2.  Objectives and scope  

General objective of Euratom programme and specific objectives of direct actions 

The  general  objective  of  the  Euratom  Programme  is  to  pursue  nuclear  research  and  training 
activities  with  an  emphasis on continuous improvement of  nuclear  safety,  security and radiation 
protection, notably to potentially contribute to the long-term decarbonisation of the energy system 
in a safe, efficient and secure way. The general objective is implemented through the direct and 
indirect actions which pursue the specific objectives7. The activities of the JRC are developed in 
full  alignment  and  complementary  with  the  research  programmes  implemented  by  various  EU 
MS.   

5 Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules 
applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002. 
6 “Responding to Strategic Needs: Reinforcing the use of evaluation”, SEC(2007) 213.  
7 Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1314/2013. Art 3 

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 The Euratom Programme direct actions have the following specific objectives:  

(a) improving nuclear safety including: nuclear reactor and fuel safety, waste management, 
including final geological disposal as well as partitioning and transmutation; decommissioning, 
and emergency preparedness;  

(b) improving nuclear security including: nuclear safeguards, non-proliferation, combating illicit 
trafficking, and nuclear forensics; 

(c) increasing excellence in the nuclear science base for standardisation;  

(d) fostering knowledge management, education and training;  

(e) supporting the policy of the Union on nuclear safety and security. 

The activities to achieve the indicated objectives are described in the annex I of the Euratom 
programme; they are further developed in the JRC's work programme projects and work packages  

The  objective  of  the  nuclear  activities  of  the  JRC  aims  at  satisfying  the  R&D  requirements  in 
support  of  both  Commission  and  Member  States.  This  is  implemented  by  developing  and 
assembling knowledge  to assure the safety  and reliability, safeguards, sustainability and control, 
and  to  address  the  challenges  of  the  nuclear  energy  production,  including  the  assessment  of 
innovative and future systems. 

The following figure shows that the intervention logic of the JRC research and training 
programme was designed to maximize its impacts: 

7 

 
Intervention logic diagram 

8 

 NEEDS - Facilitate the creation and operation of the European Research Area.  - Ensure the highest standards of nuclear safety and security. - Maintain the knowledge, skills and expertise in the nuclear field through appropriate education and training  - Perform research, knowledge creation and knowledge preservation on nuclear fission technologies, with special emphasis on safety, security, waste management radiation protection and non-proliferation - Strengthen scientific evidence for policy making  - Cooperation with third countries and international organisations. to pursue nuclear research and training activities with an emphasis on continuous improvement of nuclear safety, security and radiation protection, notably to potentially contribute to the long-term decarbonisation of the energy system in a safe, efficient and secure way General Objective - improving nuclear safety including: nuclear reactor and fuel safety, waste management, including final geological disposal as well as partitioning and transmutation; decommissioning, and emergency preparedness;  - improving nuclear security including: nuclear safeguards, non-proliferation, combating illicit trafficking, and nuclear forensics;  - increasing excellence in the nuclear science base for standardisation;  - fostering knowledge management, education and training;  - supporting the policy of the Union on nuclear safety and security. Specific Objectives - Legal Framework (objectives, specific objectives, work programmes …) -EU Policy framework  - Financial Resources-(budget… - Human resources - Research infrastructure Inputs       Nuclear safety  - Nuclear reactor safety  - Safety of nuclear fuels and fuel cycle  - Radioactive waste management and decommissioning - Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R)  - Environmental monitoring & radiation protection Nuclear security  - Nuclear safeguards - Non-proliferation - Nuclear security and prevention of CBRN hazards) Standards for Nuclear Knowledge management, training and education Nuclear science applications Support to EU policies Activities - Scientific and policy reports - Scientific articles and conferences contributions. - Validated models, and reference methods  - Reference materials and measurements - Technical systems - Scientific information systems, computer codes, and databases - Education and training courses and seminars - Conferences, seminars, Outputs - Excellence in scientific research  - Generation of new knowledge and technologies - Innovation: new products, tools, services (?) - Increased education and training opportunities in EU - Strengthened research and innovation capacities at EU level  - Strengthened International research cooperation - Stronger synergies between national research programmes - Implementation of EU policies in nuclear safety and security Results - Contribution to improve nuclear safety, and security - Contribution to increase excellence in the nuclear science base for standardisation - Foster knowledge management, education and training - Supporting the policy of the Union on nuclear safety, safeguards and security - Improved international cooperation Impacts  
 
Comparison with objectives of FP7- continuity 

The JRC's work programme for the period 2014-2016 includes elements of continuity with respect 
to the previous programme, while aiming at matching new demands arising from the evolution of 
Member  States  and  global  scenarios.  It  is  carrying  out  nuclear  safety,  safeguards  and  security 
research, aiming to provide improved support to the EU policies, and, at the same time, being a 
continuation of the FP7 work programme8. 

The programme on nuclear safety was more focused in severe accident analyses and modelling for 
assessment of operational safety margins. At the same time, the JRC's work programme is flexible 
enough to adapt to the needs arising from the EU policies. Examples are the support provided to 
the implementation of the EU regulations in nuclear safety and waste management.  

Decommissioning  is  an  area  of  research  and  training  that  was  introduced  in  the  extension 
programme  of  FP7  and  is  now  fully  integrated  in  the  current  programme.  JRC  has  launched 
recently an important initiative on training in this field involving more than 14 partners in EU MS 
as well as the European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN) and IAEA. 

The demand related  to  nuclear security-related policies has grown during the recent period.  The 
European  nuclear  security  training  centre  EUSECTRA9  is  now  fully  operational  and  providing 
support to the MS authorities in the field of nuclear safeguards and nuclear security. The support 
to the CBRNE Centres of Excellence10 project, started already in 2012, which is developing and 
being extended to new areas following the model, or the support to the implementation of the EU 
regulations in export control 

In  the  area  of  standardisation  JRC  has  a  clear  mandate  to  investigate  fundamental  properties  of 
nuclear  material  and  providing  standards,  reference  data  and  measurements.  During  the  period 
2019-2020, this mandate shall be further developed. 

The  JRC  continues  to  support  the  policy  of  the  Community  to  maintain  key  competences  and 
expertise for the future by giving access to its infrastructures and by training young scientists and 
fostering their mobility, thus sustaining nuclear know-how in Europe.  

The political support dimension is highlighted in the current programme where the JRC provided 
support  mainly  to  the  implementation  of  the  Euratom  policies  and  to  MS  and  international 
organisations. 

8  Seventh  Framework  Programme  of  the  European  Atomic  Energy  Community  (Euratom)  for  nuclear  research  and  training 
activities 2007 to 2011 (2006/970/Euratom 
9 https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/european-nuclear-security-training-centre-eusectra 
10 http://www.cbrn-coe.eu/ 

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3.  METHODOLOGY AND OBJECTIVES  

The interim evaluation encompasses the direct actions of the JRC carried out in the context of the 
Euratom Research and Training Programme during the first half of the current programme. 

Whilst fulfilling the obligations laid down in the legal basis of the Euratom Research and Training 
Programme (2014-2018) the objectives of this interim evaluation are: 

 
 

 

to assess the continued relevance of the programme’s objectives;  
to assess the efficiency and use of resources, the scope for simplification and the EU added 
value 
to review initial outputs and the early impacts of the programme, paying specific attention 
to the quality and the performance level of the various activities carried out by the JRC; 

to  assist  the  JRC  senior  management  with  specific  orientations  for  the  remaining  part  of  the 
Research  and  Training  Programme.  With  the  expiration  in  2018  of  the  Euratom  research 
programme 2014-2018, the interim evaluation should facilitate upcoming decisions for continuing 
the programme beyond 2018 and build an evidence base for future impact assessments of nuclear 
activities of the JRC.  

The methodology followed for the evaluation is in line with the better regulation principles. It is 
analysing the results obtained during the intermediated period of the current Euratom programme, 
considering: 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

its  relevance  for  the  European  stakeholders:  considering  the  relevance  of  the  original 
objectives and their evolution. 
the  effectiveness  of  the  results  obtained:  achievement  of  the  objectives  and  the  impact 
obtained. 
the efficiency on the use of resources: analyses of the number and quality of the outputs 
delivered in comparison with similar Institutions 
the coherency of the programme both between its different parts and with other European 
and global research programmes, as well as with EU policies 
the EU added value of the actions carried out: advantages or need of the EU action rather 
than at MS level 

Aditional information related to the procedure followed for the evaluation process can be found in 
Annex 1 

10 

 
 
4. 

IMPLEMENTATION 

4.1.  Overview of the programme 

During the evaluated period the JRC addressed several recommendations, identified in the FP7 ex-
post evaluation, to improve the internal governance together with the transparency, effectiveness 
and efficiency of its nuclear activities.  

With the aim of increasing the transparency of the JRC work programme, defining more concrete 
objectives  and  deliverables,  and  attributing resources  commensurate  to  priorities,  A  rolling  two-
year work programme was developed, defining its "key orientations", which is annually updated. 
In 2014 the programme was organised in small units of work (work packages) following a series 
of  criteria  regarding  size,  duration,  and  other  requirements.  Links  among  work  packages  were 
identified  and  highlighted  to  ensure  coherence  and  coordination.  The  work  packages  were  then 
grouped in projects, which allow bringing together relevant work packages according to coherent 
thematic domains.  

For  the  present  evaluation,  the  projects  and  their  work  packages,  constituting  the  JRC's  work 
programme are grouped in the following subjects: 

1.  Nuclear safety 

2.  Nuclear security 

1.1.  Nuclear reactor safety 

2.1.  Nuclear safeguards 

1.2.   Safety of (conventional and innovative) 

nuclear fuels and fuel cycle  
1.3.  Radioactive waste management 

2.2.  Non-proliferation 

1.4.  Nuclear  Emergency  Preparedness  and 

Response (EP&R)  

2.3.  Nuclear security and prevention 

1.5.  Environmental  monitoring  &  radiation 

of CBRN hazards) 

protection 

3. 

4. 

5. 

Standards for Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards 

Knowledge management, training and education 

Non energy applications of radionuclides and technologies 

4.2.  Planning and execution 

The  development  of  the  JRC's  Annual  Work  Programmes  is  driven  by  the  outcome  of  strategic 
planning workshops and thematic round tables organised by the JRC Director General as well as 
other  JRC  senior  management  meetings  to  establish  the  research  priorities  for  the  period  of 
interest.  The  inputs  considered  are:  the  objectives  defined  in  the  Euratom  research  and  training 
programme, the Commission's political priorities, the research priorities in the EU Member States 
and  the  strategic  research  agendas  of  relevant  international  organisations,  the  findings  and 
recommendations  of  the  work  programme  evaluations,  the  implementation  of  the  JRC  Strategy 
2030 and the available resources in terms of staff and budget. 

11 

 
 
An  ex-ante  assessment  of  the  draft  programme  is  carried  out  annually,  by  an  internal  panel  of 
experts,  allowing  the  JRC's  senior  management  to  discuss  the  work  programme's  content, 
priorities, means etc., and take decisions during the planning phase.  

After the approval of the final draft, the programme is submitted to the JRC Board of Governors, 
to have the opinion of the Member States, and to an internal Interservice Consultation to acquire 
the  formal  opinion  of  the  concerned  Commission  Services.  A  final  review  takes  care  of  the 
opinions and comments received, leading to the Work Programme submission for adoption by the 
Commission11. 

Since  the  beginning  of  the  sixth  framework  programme  (FP6),  the  JRC  introduced  a  corporate-
wide yearly review, nowadays called JRC Productivity and Impact review (PRIME). The goal of 
the  review  is  to  monitor  the  execution  of  the  work  programme  providing  a  traceable  internal 
assessment on the strengths and weaknesses of the JRC scientific activities on a yearly basis. 

The  results  of  this  evaluation  are  essential  data  for  the  basic  and  mandatory  needs  of  the 
Commission’s  Strategic  Programming  and  Planning  (SPP)  cycle,  JRC  and  H2020  indicators,  as 
well as for prioritisation and strategic alignment of the JRC's work programme. 

The annual exercise assesses the productivity (policy support outputs and scientific publications in 
peer-review journals), and the policy support impact which the outputs resulted, analysed against a 
predefined generic set of impact indicators.  

4.3.  State of play 

The analysis of the results obtained against the indicators proposed, bring the following 
conclusions: 

The programme as a whole is on track; 6 out of 10 indicators are performing above the milestone, 
and most of the others have small difference.  

One indicator shows very high score in the fields of support to the EU policies, due to the high 
request of support the monitoring of the nuclear directives as some of them entered into force 
during the period, The support provided to the policy on standardisation in the nuclear field (KPI 
11.1) needs more attention to achieve its objective.  

Some additional effort to increase the scientific productivity in the fields of education and training 
is requested. The creation in 2016 of a new unit responsible of knowledge management should 
increase the results achieved in the area. 

11 Commission implementing decision of 28.2.2017  C(2017) 1288 final 

12 

 
 
 
 
                                                            
- 

- 

JRC policy support indicator: number of occurrences of tangible specific impacts on Union policies resulting from 
technical and scientific policy support provided by the JRC 
JRC scientific productivity indicator: number of peer reviewed publications 

13 

 
 
5.  RELEVANCE  

5.1.  Relevance of the topics addressed 

To  ensure  that  JRC’s  nuclear  research  and  training  activities  are  aligned  with,  and  complement, 
the research and training needs of EU Member States, and to identify the critical areas where the 
JRC  activities  are  relevant  and  have  a  European  dimension,  JRC  participates  in  relevant  fora 
together  with  Member  State  and  international  organizations  and  has  established  a  strategy  of 
concluding agreements with key stakeholders. 

The  interaction  with  the  Euratom  Scientific  and  Technical  Committee  (STC)  was  increased 
further. JRC hosts STC plenary meetings at its sites, offering opportunities for JRC scientists to 
interact  with  STC  experts.  In  2016,  the  JRC  Director  General  has  provided  to  the  STC  detailed 
insight about JRC activities, through a comprehensive questionnaire developed by the STC. 

5.2.  Relevance to European objectives 

To ensure the relevance of the direct actions of the Euratom work programme to address the EU 
objectives  providing  an  independent  scientific  basis  for  EU  policies,  the  key  orientations 
developed  for  its  implementation  are  aligned  with  two  policy  areas  of  the  President  Juncker 
Commission's agenda: 

3. A Resilient Energy Union with a Forward-Looking Climate Change Policy  
9. Europe as a Stronger Global Actor. 

The  yearly  JRC  work  programme  is  shared  for  consultation  with  the  interested  DGs  during  the 
preparation  step,  before  being  formally  adopted  by  the  Commission.  JRC  is  also  aware  of  the 
Community  developments  and  priorities  by  attending  regularly  the  Atomic  Questions  Working 
Party of the Council and being represented in the R&D groups of EU Member States (MS).  

The  activities  carried  out  support  the  implementation  of  Council  directives  and conclusions  on 
nuclear safety, waste management and radiation protection giving priority to the highest standards 
for  nuclear  safety  in  the  Union  and  internationally.  They  also  provide  unique  support  to  the 
Commission for the implementation of the Euratom nuclear safeguards system in Europe.  

The  JRC  helps  to  improve  nuclear  security  in  Europe  by  supporting  EU  Member  States  with 
nuclear  detection  technologies  and  nuclear  forensics.  Dedicated  training  is  provided  to  EU 
Member State front line officers and experts at the JRC nuclear training facilities.  

5.3.  Relevance to stakeholders needs 

To  ensure  the  relevance  of  its  nuclear  safety  programme  for  the  stakeholders,  the  Commission, 
represented  by  JRC  and  RTD  is  a  member  of  the  Sustainable  Nuclear  Energy  Technology 
Platform12,  SNE-TP,  (governing  board  and  executive  committee)  and  its  pillars:  Nuclear 
GENeration  II  &  III  Association13  (NUGENIA)  (honorary  member  and  secretariat),  European 
Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative14 (ESNII) and Nuclear Cogeneration Industrial Initiative15 
(NC2I). The JRC also contributes to the activities generated or supported by the European Nuclear 
Safety  Regulatory  Group  (ENSREG)  and  participates  in  the  meetings  and  working  groups  of 

12 http://www.snetp.eu/ 
13 http://www.nugenia.org/ 
14 http://www.snetp.eu/esnii/ 
15 http://www.snetp.eu/nc2i/ 

14 

 
                                                            
European  Nuclear  Energy  Forum.  JRC  is  an  important  provider  of  nuclear  references  materials 
and data.  

The  JRC  is  a  partner  and  supports  the  European  Nuclear  Education  Network  association16.  The 
direct actions also support the development and maintenance of nuclear skills and competences in 
Europe  through  dedicated  training  in  nuclear  safety,  security,  safeguards  and  non-proliferation. 
JRC’s  unique  nuclear  facilities  are  open  access  for  use  by  European  researchers  and  young 
scientists. 

The  priorities  in  the  JRC  nuclear  safeguards  and  non-proliferation  programme  are  fully  in  line 
with  the  R&D  challenges  identified  in  the  ESARDA17  (European  Safeguards  Research  and 
Development  Association)  working  groups,  representing  the  EU  Member  States  R&D  groups, 
authorities and industry in this area.  

To ensure that direct actions are aligned with and complement the research and training needs of 
Member States JRC is continuously interacting with the main research and scientific institutions. 
To  improve  the  collaboration,  and  to  build  partnerships,  agreements  are  concluded  with  main 
scientific  and  technical  institutions  in  several  EU  MS:  Belgium,  Czech  Republic,  Germany, 
Finland, Spain, France, Hungary, The Netherlands and Spain.  

At international level, the Euratom programme supports the role of the EU as a global player in 
the  field  of  nuclear  safety,  safeguards  and  security.  This  is  achieved  through  several  ongoing 
agreements  with  the  main  established  nuclear  international  organisations,  International  Atomic 
Energy Agency18 (IAEA) and Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and important institutions from US, 
Japan, Canada, China, Israel. 

The  JRC  cooperates  with,  and  is  member  of,  several  Committees  and  working  groups  and 
participates in widely recognised international conferences or meetings on nuclear safety, nuclear 
security, nuclear safeguards, standardisation, knowledge management, and education and training. 

The JRC is the implementing body of Euratom in the Generation IV International Forum and thus 
represents  the  Community  in  this  forum.  This  important  role  allows the  JRC  to  be  continuously 
aware of the needs and developments related to advanced nuclear reactor systems. JRC contributes 
also  technically  to  those  developments  with  its  work  programme  mainly  on  safety  and  security 
aspects.  

16 Collaborative research agreement n. 34631 between the JRC of the European Commission and the European Nuclear Education 
Network 
17  
18 The European Commission Cooperative Support Programme: Activities and Achievements IAEA-CN-184/230 

https://esarda.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ 

15 

 
                                                            
 
6.  EFFECTIVENESS 

The programme is achieving its overall objective by providing scientific and technological support 
for EU nuclear safety, safeguards and security research and training policies; at the same time, it is 
contributing to improve the nuclear security and nuclear safety in Europe and worldwide. 

6.1.  Outputs delivered 

The JRC work programme is contributing to the improvement of the safety of nuclear reactors in 
partnership  with  local  regulators  and  Technical  Support  Organisations,  addressing  challenges 
related  and  contributing  to  develop  codes,  standards  and  test  methods  for  advanced  reactor 
materials. 

The activities on the safety of current nuclear fuels are intended to develop codes, standards and 
test methods for the safety analysis of light water reactor fuel behaviour and to provide reference 
data,  software  tools,  and  knowledge  of  the  behaviour  of  nuclear  fuel  at  high-temperature  and 
during  severe  accidents  for  modelling  and  management.  These  activities  also  support  the 
assessment of ageing of nuclear power plants for its long-term operation. 

As  Euratom’s  implementing  agent  of  the  Generation  IV  International  Forum(GIF),  the  JRC  is 
active  here  on  underpinning  and  applied  research  on  the  safety  of  fuels  for  five  Generation-IV 
systems,  focusing  on  the  four  prototype  reactors  defined  in  the  ESNII  roadmap  and  being 
developed  in  the  EU  -ASTRID,  ALFRED,  MYRRHA,  and  ALLEGRO.  The  well-established 
programme on safety of advanced nuclear technologies keeps the EU's leading role in promoting 
globally the highest standards of nuclear safety. 

The direct actions carried out in the area of radioactive waste management cover every aspect of 
research, policy support and training, addressing basic concerns and technical aspects of a sound 
nuclear waste management strategy. JRC investigates the spent fuel characteristics, the properties 
and  behaviour  of  the  spent  fuel  rods  during  storage  and  in  view  of  the  geological  disposal.  The 
experimental  research  carried  out  on  spent  fuels  and  highly  radioactive  waste  form  materials  is 
relevant  for  improving  the  safety  of  the  nuclear  waste  management.  JRC  provides  technical 
support  to  implement  the  Directive  on  nuclear  waste  and  spent  fuel  management,  reviewing  the 
national  programmes  and  national  reviews  and  contributing  to  the  development  of  an  inventory 
report of spent fuel and radioactive waste. 

For  nuclear  emergency  preparedness  and  environmental  monitoring,  JRC  activities  include  the 
harmonization  of  measurements  of  radioactivity  carried  out  by  national  laboratories  and  the 
related training of personnel to ensure a coherent monitoring programme across Europe. This also 
supports  the  Member  States  in  fulfilling  their  obligations  to  provide  information  on  the 
radioactivity levels in the environment. To this extent, JRC develops and implements IT systems 
like  the  European  Radiological  Data  Exchange  Platform  (EURDEP)  as  well  as  the  European 
Community Urgent Radiological Information Exchange19 (ECURIE) system, allowing an effective 
exchange of information in the event of a nuclear emergency. 

The Commission’s activities in the area of nuclear safeguards support the EU’s strategic objective 
to reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation. For this, JRC provides the necessary technical support, 
including development of new safeguards technologies, and related training courses for Euratom 
inspectors  to  ensure  an  effective  implementation  of  EU  safeguards  systems.  Similar  support  is 

19 https://rem.jrc.ec.europa.eu/RemWeb/Index.aspx 

16 

 
                                                            
provided  to  the  IAEA  through  the  Commission’s  safeguards  support  programme.  The 
Commission,  through  the  JRC,  is  one  of  the  main  players  in  developing  a  strong  international 
safeguards regime. 

JRC also carries out dedicated activities on nuclear non-proliferation focused mainly on concepts 
and  methodologies  in  areas  such  as  open  source  information  collection,  analyses  and  reports, 
strategic  trade  analysis  and  studies  on  export  control  of  dual-use  goods.  These  activities, 
developed  to  serve  EU  policies,  are  also  supporting  the  IAEA  and  the  global  non-proliferation 
regime. 

Direct  actions  in  the  field  of  nuclear  security  focus  on  detecting  and  responding  to  the  illicit 
trafficking  of  nuclear  and  other  radioactive  materials,  including  nuclear  forensics.  They  cover 
three  major  areas:  research  and  development,  support  to  Member  States  and  international 
organisations,  and  capacity  building  activities.  JRC’s  capability  in  this  area,  and  its  support  to 
nuclear  security  through  related  scientific  and  technical  expertise,  is  in  high  demand  by  several 
Member States and international organisations. 

In its highly specialised large-scale nuclear facilities, the JRC produces and supplies state-of-the-
art nuclear data, reference materials and measurements, conformity assessment tools, and nuclear 
training and education in all its areas of activity. 

The JRC provides nuclear courses and hands-on vocational training for professionals and students 
in  Member  States  and  Commission  departments.  Moreover,  the  JRC  allows  open  access  to  its 
nuclear research infrastructures and offers complementary research possibilities to external users 
from  EU  Member  States  through  its  quality-based,  peer  reviewed  open  access  projects  (e.g. 
EUFRAT20).  Open  access  schemes  to  JRC  research  facilities  will  be  further  strengthened  and 
extended through its new programme on opening access to its research infrastructures. 

6.2.  Expected long term results and impacts 

The  activities  in  the  areas  of  structural  integrity  and  accident  modelling  aim  to  deliver  ageing 
assessment in relation to long term operation, and generally applicable software tools for accident 
modelling and accident management.  

The  research  performed  in  the  safety  of  conventional  nuclear  fuels  is  generating  immediate 
impacts  by  developing  software  tools  which  increase  the  knowledge  about  fuel  performance 
during  normal  and  incidental  conditions.  The  activities  indisputably  benefit  nuclear  safety  of 
nuclear fuels. 

There  are  no  expectations  that  the  development  of  innovative  nuclear  fuels  and  fuel  cycles  will 
impact  EU  policies  in  the  short  term.  Supporting  the  development  of  advanced  nuclear 
technologies in collaboration with key international partners should have impacts on long term EU 
policies regarding the potential role of nuclear energy for a sustainable energy policy. 

In  the  area  of  Radioactive  Waste  Management  the  direct  actions  address  basic  concerns  and 
scientific/technical  aspects  of  a  sound  nuclear  waste  management  strategy  in  support  of  the 
implementation of geological disposal of spent fuel and high level radioactive waste. These issues 
need  to  be  appropriately  addressed  in  order  to  clear  regulatory  and  licensing  procedures  and 
initiate the implementation phase.  

20  Hambsch  F. EUFRAT,  the  Open  Access  programme for the  nuclear facilities at JRC-Geel :  EURATOM Work Programme 2014-
2016 project 504 ET-TAA . Geel (Belgium): European Commission - Joint Research Cetnre; 2016. JRC103345 

17 

 
                                                            
In the area of Environmental Monitoring & radiation protection, the JRC fulfils the Commission’s 
legal obligations and support Member States’ responsibilities in relation to the EU and the IAEA. 
The activities such as the harmonization of the radioactivity measurement of national laboratories 
and training for a coherent monitoring programme in Europe prove that the JRC and the Member 
States institutions monitor the radiation in the environment with extreme care, precision and sense 
of responsibility.  

The JRC’s nuclear safeguards activities are fully aligned with EU strategic objectives and policies 
within the EU and provide the basis for support to the effective and efficient implementation of 
safeguards  in  third  countries.  The  contribution  of  the  R&D,  development  of  equipment,  in-field 
support and training courses for the nuclear inspectors are essential to allow the implementation of 
the Euratom Safeguards  by DG ENER. The deliverables and impacts from cooperation with  the 
IAEA  and  with  some  other  key  partners  such  as  the  US  and  Japan  make  timely  and  valuable 
contributions to the operation of the international safeguards regime. 

Continuously improving the assurance of nuclear non-proliferation is a major objective shared by 
all Member States and the EU Institutions. The activities generated many examples of impacts on 
EU  policies  such  as  the  improvement  and  harmonisation  on  EU  export  control  system,  the 
formulation  of  dual-use  export  control  guidelines  or  the  scientific  support  during  the  nuclear 
negotiations  with  Iran.  The  support  to  the  IAEA  also  impacts  the  efficiency  of  the  global  non-
proliferation regime. 

The JRC has made an essential contribution to nuclear security and CBRN hazards developments 
over  the  past  decade  and  a  continuing  demand  for  capacity  building  and  related  research  and 
development is anticipated in the coming years. The JRC capability in this area, and its ability to 
support nuclear security work through related scientific and technical capability, will continue to 
be in demand. 

The JRC projects dedicated to R&D and education and training for nuclear decommissioning were 
implemented, reflecting a growing trend in the nuclear sector. 

JRC has a long list of initiatives in the field of Knowledge management, education and training, 
and expects to play a central role in the organization and coordination of these activities. The JRC 
is  the  right  place  for  such  a  central  role,  as  it  has  the  long  standing  recognised  expertise,  the 
infrastructure,  the  programmes  and  the  data  bases.  The  existing  and  further  developing  open 
access policy of the JRC is an invaluable asset to achieve it. The JRC’s activities in this area are 
important for the whole EU community to maintain sufficient nuclear-technology knowledge and 
technological capacity in Europe. 

6.3.  Success stories 

Examples of successful JRC activities during the evaluation period are: 

  The accident analysis group provides accident analyses related information in the event of 
a nuclear accident crisis to reinforce the JRC capabilities in the areas of Accident Analysis 
and  Severe  Accident  Assessment.  The  group  coordinates  its  activities  in  the  field, 
internally  with  related  projects  and  externally  in  a  strong  technical  and  scientific 
collaboration  with  EU  TSOs,  and  with  international  organizations  such  as  the  IAEA  and 
the OECD/NEA.  

18 

 
  Laser-heating studies revealed the high-temperature solid/liquid transitions in corium sub-
systems,  of  great  importance  to  assess  the  behaviour  of  Pu  during  core  melt  down  and 
evaluate  any  criticality  risks  during  degradation  (Journal  of  Nuclear  Materials  467,  660, 
awarded the 2016 Springs Award of American Ceramic Society). 

  Ceramic-metal  (CERMET)  fuels  show  exemplary  behaviour  without  fuel  pellet  cracking 
following irradiation in the Phénix reactor. The fuel pellets were fabricated at JRC in the 
frame of the FUTURIX experiment, (collaboration between CEA, DOE and JRC), and the 
post-irradiation examination is performed at JRC. 

 

 

In  the  frame  of  the  Global  Threat  Reduction  Initiative  (GTRI),  JRC  shipped  no  longer 
needed nuclear material from its sites to the USA. A dedicated facility was constructed at 
the  JRC-Karlsruhe  facilities,  the  material  was  treated  and  packaged  within  a  very  short 
time frame.  Apart from unprecedented praise  from the GTRI  programme  organisers; this 
unique opportunity has reduced future financial liability of the JRC. 

In  2015,  EURDEP  commemorated  its  20  years  of  operation,  in  support  to  DG  ENER, 
IAEA and the European countries authorities competent for emergency preparedness and 
response.  It  was  highlighted  by  the  EURDEP  international  workshop  and  the  High  level 
event "20 years of radiation monitoring data exchange in Europe" organised both by JRC 
and DG ENER.  

  Under the EC Support Programme to IAEA, a training course on Complementary Access 
(under the safeguards Additional Protocol) is organised annually since 2012.  The aim is to 
familiarise  IAEA  inspectors  with  complementary  access  (CA)  procedures  in  a  nuclear 
R&D environment. In 2015, JRC hosted a workshop in its facility in Karlsruhe where best 
practices  on  the  subject  were  agreed.    As  a  result,  dedicated  training  courses  are  being 
delivered  at  the  Hungarian  Atomic  Energy  Authority,  and  Brookhaven  National 
Laboratory (USA). 

 

In the frame of its R&D on novel verification systems, JRC developed a fully innovative 
laser-based, self-localisation system for use by nuclear safeguards in complex installations. 
In  a  world-wide  competition,  organised  by  Microsoft  in  2015,  the  JRC  system 
outperformed  all  competition.  Since  this  competition,  the  JRC  acts  as  referee  for  these 
systems and its performance continues to be unbeaten until now.  

  JRC  acted  as  a  reference  and  knowledge  centre  for  the  EU  institutions  (European 
Commission and EEAS) on the nuclear-related technical aspects on the agreement between 
the  E3/EU+3  and  Iran  to  reach  a  Joint  Comprehensive  Plan  of  Action  (JCPOA).  JRC 
provided ad-hoc technical analyses on the issues under negotiations, based on independent, 
unbiased  knowledge  and  understanding  of  the  aspects  under  discussion  and  their 
implications from a nuclear non-proliferation point of view.  

  Prior  to  the  Nuclear  Security  Summit  2016,  JRC  and  US  Department  of  State  jointly 
organized a "Counter Nuclear Smuggling Workshop" to underline the continued need for 
strengthened international cooperation. Law enforcement and nuclear measurement experts 
from  more  than  30  countries  concluded  that  close  inter-agency  cooperation  and 
international  information  sharing  enable  an  optimized  use  of  investigative  and  technical 
capabilities to effectively counter nuclear smuggling acts. 

19 

 
  As a result of an OECD-NEA initiative, aiming at world-wide standardisation of evaluated 
nuclear  data  for  harmonized  safety  assessments  in  nuclear  energy,  the  Collaborative 
International  Evaluated  Library  Organisation  project  (CIELO)  was  started.  JRC  is  in 
charge of two nuclides contributing with accurate measurements and expert advice.  

  Together  with  the  Japanese  Atomic  Energy  Agency  (JAEA)  JRC  successfully  developed 
and demonstrated at its GELINA accelerator facility an innovative technique for elemental 
and isotopic characterisation of molten fuel. The successful demonstration of the technique 
in presence of experts from EURATOM, IAEA and the US was bestowed in 2016 with the 
Award  for  Distinguished  Technology  Development  of  the  Atomic  Energy  Society  of 
Japan. 

  A novel treatment for metastatic prostate cancer using Targeted Alpha Therapy has been 
developed in collaboration with the University Hospital Heidelberg. The novel therapy has 
been tested for the first time in humans in 2014 and overall 79 patients have been treated 
with  remarkable  results.  Treated  patients  had  previously  failed  available  standard 
therapies, and had a mean life expectancy of 2-3 months when included in the study. The 
vast  majority  of  patients  showed  significant  biochemical  and  imaging  responses  and 
extensive prolongation of survival. Several patients in initially clinically critical conditions 
showed enduring complete responses.  

  An EU High Level Scenario-Based Exercise on Nuclear Security was held on November 
2016 at the JRC's facilities in Karlsruhe (Germany). The exercise, as defined by JRC and 
DG HOME, focused on the unique characteristics of the European Union and its Member 
States in the preparedness to a nuclear security event. It gathered representatives from 26 
MS  national  institutions  dealing  with  various  aspects  of  nuclear  security  to  discuss  and 
exchange  on  existing  strengths,  weaknesses,  needs  and  capabilities  related  to  nuclear 
security.  The  exercise  identified  several  areas  requesting  further  attention:  training  and 
exercises,  border  detection  technologies,  nuclear  forensic  competences,  preparedness  for 
nuclear or radiological incidents, challenges for security of radioactive sources. 

20 

 
7.  EFFICIENCY 

7.1.  JRC resources 

7.1.1.  The budget  

Most of the JRC’s resources are allocated  through the budget  for JRC’s "direct  research" of the 
Framework Programmes for Research. The budget allocated to JRC for the Research and Training 
Programme  of  the  European  Atomic  Energy  Community21,  for  the  period  2014-2018,  is  
559.562.000 €.  

In  addition  to  the  JRC  Framework  Programme  research  budget,  the  JRC  receives  around  €  30 
million  per  year  as  specific  credits  to  finance  a  decommissioning  programme  to  reduce  and 
dispose  of  its  historical  nuclear  liabilities.  These  liabilities  result  from  activities  carried  out  on 
JRC sites in the past and concern the decommissioning of plants that have been shut down and the 
management  of  the  associated  waste.  This  decommissioning  budget  is  not  part  of  the  research 
programme,  although  the  JRC  staff  involved  is  supported  by  the  research  budget.  The  JRC  is 
further  developing  synergies  and  exchanges  between  research  programmes  and  the  operational 
decommissioning activities. 

In the budgetary execution, the JRC splits its research budget in three categories, which require the 
approximate percentage of the total budget indicated:  

JRC research budget distribution 

Staff expenses 
Means of execution 
Specific credits 

60 % 
31 % 
9 % 

Means of execution, refers to expenses like for maintenance of buildings and equipment, electricity, insurances 
Specific credits (operational expenses) are direct scientific procurements. 

7.1.2.  The staff 

During  the  reporting  period,  the  staff  performing  the  Euratom  direct  actions  consisted  of  about 
710  members  in  2014,  being  gradually  reduced  to  684  members  in  2016.  These  staffs  includes 
staff members performing direct research described in the programme, as well as staff assigned to 
infrastructure,  maintenance  and  radioprotection,  JRC  decommissioning  programme  and  staff  in 
other supporting functions.  

The categories of staff are distributed as showed in the table: 

Scientist 
Technicians 
Support staff 
Grantholders 
Detached national experts 

JRC research staff distribution 
33 % 
39 % 
12 % 
15 % 
1 % 

21 COUNCIL REGULATION (EURATOM) No 1314/2013 on the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community 
(2014-2018) complementing the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Article 4 

21 

 
 
 
                                                            
The distribution of the staff among the research areas, during the period, is showed in the graphic: 

JRC staff distribution among the research areas  

 Non energy 
applications; 
2% 

Knowledge 
management, 
education; 5% 

Nuclear 
reactor 
safety; 14% 

Non-
proliferation; 
3% 

Standards for 
Nuclear; 16% 

Nuclear 
security; 12% 

Nuclear 
safeguards; 
16% 

Environmental 
monitoring & 
radiation 
protection; 3% 

Safety of 
Nuclear fuels 
and fuel cycle; 
18% 

Radioactive 
waste 
management; 
9% 

Nuclear 
Emergency 
Preparedness 
and Response 
(EP&R); 4% 

7.2.  JRC Euratom research and training programme, productivity and impact 

The JRC carries annually on a corporate-wide yearly review, called JRC Productivity and Impact 
review (PRIME).  

The exercise assesses the productivity as a first aspect, in terms of different categories of policy 
support  outputs  and  scientific  publications  in  ISI  peer-review  journals.  The  second  aspect 
evaluated is the policy support impact of the outputs, analysed against a predefined generic set of 
impact indicators.  

The outputs delivered are classified in two main groups: 

7.2.1.  Policy support outputs 

These  are  outputs  registered  in  JRC’s  Publication  data  base  (Pubsy),  intended  for  specific 
customer(s) and delivered in the indicated categories: 

Policy support outputs 
Period 2014-2016 

Scientific for Policy reports 
Technical reports 
Validated methods, reference methods and measurements 

  Reference materials 

Technical systems 

  Scientific information and databases 
  Training 
  Contributions to policy docs 
  Contribution to standards 

194 
484 
8 
12 
68 
42 
117 
20 
8 

7.2.2. 

Scientific outputs 

JRC produced a number of scientific outputs registered in the JRC's publications data base: 

22 

 
 
JRC Scientific output 

Period 2014-2016 

Books 
Articles and conference proceedings  
contributions published in peer-reviewed 
periodical 
Articles contributing to monographs or other 
periodicals 
PhD Theses 

9 

658 

157 

15 

The JRC’s research publications performance is well above average with a respectable productivity. 
A bibliometric analysis22 for the period 2007-2015 was carried out. It was focused on peer-reviewed 
articles  in  the  field  of  Nuclear  Science  and  Technology  (NST)  and  based  on  widely  accepted 
(publication and citation based) impact metrics. More than 15 % of the JRC publications are among 
the top 10 % most cited articles23 in the NST field, which places the JRC around 50 % above the 
world average on this metric. Hence the JRC ranks well amongst peer organisation like CEA, Oak 
Ridge Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory. 

7.2.3. 

Impact achieved 

The  impact  refers  to  tangible  and  documented  instances  of  JRC’s  contribution  to  a  scientific 
policy  support  for  EU  policies,  via  e.g.  a  European  Commission  DG,  other  EU  institutions,  a 
Member  State  authority,  third  country  authorities  or  international  organizations.    The  impact 
obtained through the support provided with the outputs delivered is classified in 5 categories: 

JRC impact achieved  

Period 2014-2016 

Anticipation, conception, adoption of EU policy 
Implementation, monitoring, evaluation of EU 
policy 
Ad-hoc support (including crisis management) 
EU and global standardisation and international 
harmonisation 
Support to specific countries/regions and 
international bodies (other than standardisation or 
crisis support) 

11 

126 

10 

43 

79 

TOTAL 

269 

22  

23  

Bibliometric analysis of the research performance of the JRC under the Euratom Research and Training Programme (2007 - 
2015)  
The percentage of publications in ‘top 10% most cited articles’ in a field is an indicator of ‘excellence’; a measure of high 
quality of research output in this field. 

23 

 
 
                                                            
8.  COHERENCE 

The Euratom programme for nuclear fission is one of the most relevant instruments to support the 
safety and security of nuclear energy in the EU and in the world. It distinguishes direct research, 
carried out by the European Commission in its Joint Research Centre (JRC) and indirect research, 
carried  out  by  pan-European  project  consortia  that  include  SMEs,  large  companies,  universities 
and research centres (in some cases including JRC). 

8.1.  Internal coherence between areas of the programme 

The  Euratom  work  programme  is  defined  to  obtain  five  specific  objectives,  as  described  in  the 
section 2.2. The last three of them, namely increasing excellence in the nuclear science base for 
standardisation,  fostering  knowledge  management,  education  and  training  and    supporting  the 
policy  of  the  Union  on  nuclear  safety  and  security  are  cross-cutting  the  main  objectives  of 
improving  nuclear  safety  and  improving  nuclear  security.  For  its  implementation,  the  work 
programme  is  divided  in  areas  of  activity,  more  specifically  dealing  with  the  different  topics 
covered.  

To  ensure  the  right  communication  between  the  different  areas  of  the  programme,  breaking  the 
existing  silos,  a  new  governance  model  was  adopted  recently.  According  to  the  JRC  strategy 
203024,  the  new  structure  has  been  implemented.  It  puts  all  the  responsibility  on  the 
implementation of the Euratom work programme under a single Directorate, as recommended by 
previous  external  evaluations25  (ref  to  FP  7);  this  will  provide  evident  improvements  in 
transparency, effectiveness and efficiency, as well as coherence of the activities carried out.  

The  knowledge  obtained  and  developed  in  areas  of  nuclear  safety  is  reinforcing  the  research  in 
nuclear  security  and  vice  versa.  Insight  gained  in  areas  closer  to  basic  science  is  being  used  in 
other scientific areas for more applicative purposes. At the same time, these three main domains 
(safety, security and underpinning science) are the basis for education and training or knowledge 
management activities, which make the it available not only to the scientific community, but also 
to other stakeholders such as policy decision makers. All the activities take stock of the available 
expertise and further improve it to provide state of the art support to the EU policies in the field. 

8.2.  External coherence with main stakeholders 

The  JRC  is  making  efforts  to  align  its  work,  performed  under  the  direct  actions  of  the  Euratom 
programme,  with  the  research  programmes  carried  out  under  other  schemes  such  as  indirect 
actions  and  MSs  national  programmes.  It  is  also  paying  the  appropriate  attention  to  the  policy 
needs of the Commission and other European services as EEAS or the Council. 

At  the  same  time,  the  direct  actions  under  the  current  work  programme  are  coherent  in  their 
evolution,  which  stems  from  previous  framework  programmes;  being  based  on  knowledge  and 
expertise  already  accumulated,  they  constantly  evolve  to  meet  the  evolving  needs  of  the 
stakeholders.  

To  align  its research  programme  with  the  stakeholders,  JRC  is  a  member  of  SNE-TP  governing 
board and executive committee, and its pillars Nugenia, ESNII and NC2I. 

24 JRC strategy 2030 - https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/sites/jrcsh/files/jrc-strategy-2030_en.pdf 
25 Ex-post Evaluation of the direct actions of the Joint Research Centre under the Seventh Framework Programmes 2007-2013, 
July 2015, http://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/bitstream/JRC96870/kjna27343enn.pdf 

24 

 
                                                            
The research activities in the JRC nuclear safeguards and non-proliferation programme are fully in 
line with challenges identified in the ESARDA. 

JRC Euratom research and training programme through several agreements supports main nuclear 
international  organisations,  International  Atomic  Energy  Agency  (IAEA)  and  Nuclear  Energy 
Agency (NEA) and important institutions from US, Japan, Canada, China, Israel 

Additionally to the direct actions, financed by the Euratom Research & Training programme, the 
JRC generates external revenues through "contractual" work: i) participation in Indirect Actions of 
the  Framework  Programme  as  members  of  consortia  and  excellence  networks,  ii)  contract  work 
for  third  parties  such  as  regional  authorities  or  industry,  and  iii)  additional  support  provided  to 
Commission services, 

The  participation  in  these  contractual  activities  complements  the  tasks  outlined  in  the  direct 
actions  stemming  from  the  work  programme  and  is  an  important  mechanism  for  gaining  and 
sharing expertise and  know-how. It also allows the JRC to be firmly  integrated in the European 
research landscape. 

25 

 
9.  EU ADDED VALUE 

The  EU  added  value  of  the  direct  actions  of  the  Euratom  research  &  training  programme  is 
displayed in several fronts: 

The direct actions are complementing national research programmes, collaborating with national 
research  organisations,  universities  or  regulatory  authorities.  To  ensure  the  relevance  of  the 
collaboration,  JRC  receives  inputs  from  research  platforms  as  Sustainable  Nuclear  Energy  – 
Technological Platform and its pillars, and signs cooperation agreements with the main research 
Institutions in the field.  

As  part  of  the  Commission,  JRC  is  independent  from  national  interests,  therefore  it  is  in  the 
appropriate  position  to  provide  scientific  and  technical  support  to  other  Commission  services  in 
the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the EU policies. JRC supports the Commission 
in the implementation of the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation26, Instrument contributing 
to  Stability  and  Peace27;  the  European  safeguards  regime28,  Nuclear  Safety  Directive,  Nuclear 
Waste  Directive,  Basic  Safety  Standards  Directive;  the  CBRNE  action  plan29  or  the  dual  use 
goods export control regime30. This support can be provided due to the excellent and longstanding 
reputation the JRC has acquired and the knowledge it has developed through the Direct Actions of 
the research programme. 

The Chapter 7 of the Euratom Treaty established the Commission obligation related to safeguards 
of nuclear materials. The direct actions of the research programme are developing the necessary 
knowledge to provide the scientific support for the fulfilment of this obligation. An intensive and 
long-lasting  collaboration  is  carried  out  with  EU  MS  through  the  operation  of  ESARDA  (The 
European Safeguards Research and Development Association) to the direct benefit of DG ENER. 
A  similar  situation  exists  in  relation  to  the  implementation  of  articles  34  and  35,  related  to  the 
measurement  of  radioactivity  on  the  environment;  the  direct  research  carried  out  by  the  JRC 
intends to harmonise the measurements in the EU and abroad and to provide the appropriate tools 
to fulfil this obligation. 

Another  activity  of  evident  EU  added  value  is  the  Clearinghouse  on  Operational  Experience 
Feedback  (created  in  2008),  which  facilitates  the  analysis  and  exchange  of  information  on 
operational events in order to improve nuclear safety. Members are nuclear regulatory authorities 
from EU Member States operating nuclear power plants and Switzerland. The activities in support 
of standardization, open access of infrastructures unique in EU, or training activities as developed 
in fields such as safeguards, decommissioning or others have an evident added value and cannot 
be carried out in any other place. 

Euratom  is  a  signatory  of  Generation  IV  International  Forum  and  the  JRC  is  its  implementing 
agent.  In  this  capacity,  JRC  is  coordinating  Euratom’s  technical  and  scientific  contribution  to 
Generation IV, which can stem from JRC direct actions, DG RTD funded indirect actions and by 
EU Member States direct contribution.  

26  COUNCIL REGULATION (EURATOM) No 237/2014 establishing an Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation 
27  REGULATION (EU) No 230/2014 establishing an instrument contributing to stability and peace 
28 COMMISSION REGULATION (Euratom) No 302/2005 on the application of Euratom safeguards 
29 COM(2009) 273 final COMMUNICATION on Strengthening Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Security in the 
European Union – an EU CBRN Action Plan 
30 Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual-
use items 

26 

 
                                                            
10.  KEY FINDINGS 

10.1. Relevance 

The  JRC  maintains  a  diverse  programme  of  scientific  and  technical  work  in  relation  to  nuclear 
safety,  safeguards  and  security,  which  supports  the  EU  policies  and  the  Commission  political 
agenda, providing an independent scientific basis for EU policies, and meets EU Member States' 
needs to complement their activities in the mentioned fields.  

The Commission, represented by JRC and RTD, is a member of several European technological 
platforms  and  associations  to  ensure  that  the  Euratom  programme  is  in  line  with  the  needs  of 
relevant research and industry players in Europe. To ensure that direct actions are aligned with and 
complement  the  research  and  training  needs  of  Member  States,  JRC  is  continuously  interacting 
with  the  main  research  and  scientific  institutions  in  the  Member  States.  Regarding  nuclear 
safeguards in particular, JRC is a member of the European Safeguards Research and Development 
Association (ESARDA)31.  

The  activities  carried  out  support  the  implementation  of  Council  directives  and conclusions  on 
nuclear safety, waste management and radiation protection giving priority to the highest standards 
for nuclear safety in the Union and internationally.  

JRC is also providing unique support to the Commission for the implementation of the Euratom 
nuclear  safeguards  system  in  Europe.  The  JRC  helps  to  improve  nuclear  security  in  Europe  by 
supporting  EU  Member  States  with  nuclear  detection  technologies  and  nuclear  forensics. 
Dedicated  training  is  provided  to  EU  Member  State  front  line  officers  and  experts  at  the  JRC 
nuclear training facilities.  

JRC  is  also  an  important  provider  of  nuclear  references  materials  and  data.  JRC  supports  the 
development  and  maintenance  of  nuclear  skills  and  competences  in  Europe  through  dedicated 
training  in  nuclear  safety,  security,  safeguards  and  non-proliferation.  JRC’s  unique  nuclear 
facilities are open access for use by European researchers and young scientists. 

At international level, the Euratom programme supports the role of the EU as a global player in 
the  field  of  nuclear  safety,  safeguards  and  security.  This  is  achieved  through  several  ongoing 
agreements  with  the  main  established  nuclear  international  organisations,  International  Atomic 
Energy  Agency  (IAEA)  and  Nuclear  Energy  Agency  (NEA),  and  with  key  institutions  from 
important non-EU countries (China, Japan, Russia, and the United States). 

10.2. Effectiveness 

The programme is achieving its overall objective by providing scientific and technological support 
for  the  EU  nuclear  safety  and  security  research  and  training  policies,  at  the  same  time,  it  is 
contributing to improve the nuclear security and nuclear safety in Europe and worldwide. 

JRC activities on the safety of current nuclear reactors include helping to develop codes, standards 
and test methods for reactor materials and software tools for accident modelling and management. 
These activities also support the assessment of ageing of nuclear power plants for their long-term 
operation. 

31  

https://esarda.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ 

27 

 
                                                            
The research on nuclear fuels provided tools and data for the safety analysis of fuel behaviour to 
better understand the fuel performance during normal and incidental conditions. Underpinning and 
applied research  on  the safety  of  fuels  for  Generation-IV  systems  is  carried  out.  Having  a  well-
established programme on nuclear safety of advanced nuclear technologies is important for the EU 
to  continue  maintaining  its  leading  role  in  promoting  globally  the  highest  standards  in  nuclear 
safety and security.  

For  radioactive  waste  management,  every  aspect  of  research,  policy  support  and  training  is 
covered  to  address  basic  concerns  and  technical  aspects  of  a  sound  nuclear  waste  management 
strategy.  JRC provides technical support to implement the Directive on nuclear waste and spent 
fuel management, reviewing the national programmes and national reviews and contributing to the 
development of an inventory report of spent fuel and radioactive waste. 

For  nuclear  emergency  preparedness  and  environmental  monitoring,  JRC  activities  include  the 
harmonization  of  measurements  of  radioactivity  carried  out  by  national  laboratories  and  the 
related training of personnel to ensure a coherent monitoring programme across Europe. This also 
supports  the  Member  States  in  fulfilling  their  obligations  to  provide  information  on  the 
radioactivity levels in the environment.  

The Commission’s activities in nuclear safeguards support the EU’s strategic objective to reduce 
the risk of nuclear proliferation. For this, JRC provides the necessary technical support and related 
training  courses  for  Euratom  inspectors  to  ensure  an  effective  implementation  of  EU  safeguards 
systems.  Similar support  is  provided to  the IAEA through the Commission’s safeguards support 
programme. The Commission, through the JRC, is one of the main players in developing a strong 
international safeguards regime. 

JRC also carries out dedicated activities on nuclear non-proliferation focused mainly on concepts 
and  methodologies  in  areas  such  as  open  source  information  collection,  strategic  trade  analysis 
and studies on export control of dual-use goods. These activities, developed to serve EU policies, 
are also supporting the IAEA and the global non-proliferation regime. 

Direct  actions  in  the  field  of  nuclear  security  focus  on  detecting  and  responding  to  the  illicit 
trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials. JRC’s capability in this area, and its support 
to nuclear security through related scientific and technical expertise, is in high demand by several 
Member States and international organisations. 

The JRC produced and supplied also state-of-the-art nuclear data, nuclear reference materials and 
measurements, conformity assessment tools, and nuclear training and education in all its areas of 
activity. 

In  the  area  of  education  and  training,  JRC  provides  nuclear  courses  and  hands-on  vocational 
training for professionals and students in Member States and Commission departments. Moreover, 
the  JRC  allows  open  access  to  its  nuclear  research  infrastructures  and  offers  complementary 
research  possibilities  to  external  users  from  EU  Member  States  e.g.  through  its  EUFRAT  open 
access pilot project. 

10.3. Efficiency 

Since  the  beginning  of  the  Euratom  sixth  framework  programme  (FP6),  the  JRC  introduced  a 
corporate-wide  yearly  review  to  evaluate  the  previous  year's  results.  The  exercise  assesses  two 

28 

 
 
aspects:  productivity  defined  as  number  of  outputs  delivered,  such  as  the  number  of  times 
technical support was provided for policies, and the number of scientific publications. The second 
aspect concerns the impact of the policy support, which is predefined according to a generic set of 
impact indicators. The results of this evaluation are essential data for deciding the priorities and 
strategic alignment of the JRC work programme. 

the 

institution, 

Although  the  number  of  policy  support  outputs  delivered  cannot  be  easily  benchmarked  with 
another  comparable 
the  JRC  scientific 
importance  and 
achievements/outputs  were  recognised  and  underlined  several  times  by  the  Commission  expert 
group that carried out the interim evaluation of direct actions. Remarks such as ‘comparable with 
more advanced research teams’, ‘achievements comparable with the best in class’ and ‘worldwide 
leadership’ were typically used by the expert panel to characterise the quality and performance of 
the work done. 

the  quality  of 

In  the  period  2014-2016,  a  large  number  of  outputs  (678  reports,  68  technical  systems,  117 
training  sessions)  were  delivered  to  specific  users,  in  support  of  EU  policies.  These  outputs 
resulted in the provision of support  to  EU policies (137  impacts  acknowledged), ad-hoc  support 
(10 impacts), support to specific countries or international bodies, mainly IAEA (79 impacts) and 
43 contributions to standardisation and harmonisation. 

In  2014-2016, the programme’s  direct research activities  produced 658 scientific publications in 
peer reviewed journals of high reputation, and, in addition, 9 books, 157 articles contributing to 
monographs  and  other  periodicals,  and  15  PhD  theses  were  also  completed.  A  bibliometric 
analysis32 was carried out for the period 2007-2015, focused on peer-reviewed items and based on 
widely accepted impact metrics. It showed that the performance of JRC’s research publications on 
nuclear  science  and  technology  is  well  above  average;  hence  JRC  ranks  well  among  peer 
organisations. 

JRC’s  participation  in  the  programme  of  indirect  actions  helps  to  improve  the  interaction  with 
Member State organisations and ensure better alignment with their needs and priorities. This also 
ensures  that  both  parts  of  the  Euratom  programme  are  relevant  and  more  effective.  A  clear 
example  is  the  synergies  obtained  between  the  direct  research  projects  on  advanced  nuclear 
systems and JRC’s participation in indirect research in this field. JRC provides additional in-kind 
contribution to these projects and is instrumental for the effective representation of Euratom in the 
Generation IV International Forum, where JRC is the Euratom implementing agent. 

10.4. Programme's internal coherence and EU added value 

The  internal  coherence  of  the  programme  is  ensured  through  the  collaboration/alignment  with 
national  research  organisations,  complementing  national  research  programmes  and 
the 
participation  and  contribution  to  research  managed  by  European  technology  platforms  and 
organisations.  The  participation  of  JRC  in  indirect  actions  is  an  instrument  to  improve  the 
interaction and synergies across the direct and indirect actions of the Euratom programme. 

The  EU  added  value  of  the  direct  actions  of  the  Euratom  research  &  training  programme  is 
demonstrated under several angles: 

32   Bibliometric  analysis  of  the  research  performance  of  the  JRC  under  the  Euratom  research  and  training  programme  (2007  - 

2015), JRC 103578. 

29 

 
 
                                                            
-  The  scientific  and  technical  support  provided  by  JRC  to  other  Commission  departments  to 
prepare, implement and monitor EU policies is provided thanks to in-house expertise developed 
through the direct research of the Euratom programme. 

-  JRC helps to develop necessary nuclear knowledge and expertise used by the Commission to 
fulfil its legal obligations and competences in fields such as nuclear safeguards, safety, waste 
management and monitoring and measurement of radioactivity on the environment. 

-  JRC  provides  support  for  standardisation,  open  access  for  EU  scientists  to  unique  nuclear 
facilities, training activities in fields such as safeguards, nuclear forensics or decommissioning, 
and  the  operation  of  the  Clearinghouse  on  Operational  Experience  Feedback33,  all  of  which 
could not easily be carried out elsewhere. 

-  JRC  coordinates  the  European  research  effort  on  advanced  reactor  technology,  through 
Euratom  membership  of  the  Generation  IV  International  Forum,  covering  contributions  from 
direct and indirect actions as well as from Member States. 

33 https://clearinghouse-oef.jrc.ec.europa.eu/  

30 

 
 
                                                            
11.  LESSONS LEARNED – AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT 

JRC has taken into consideration the recommendations provided by the ex-post evaluation of the 
direct  actions  of  the  Joint  Research  Centre  under  the  EURATOM  Seventh  Framework 
Programmes 2007-2013, related to its management model. 

In  the  new  JRC  structure,  all  nuclear  activities  are  within  Directorate  G  –  Nuclear  Safety  and 
Security. A new vision and strategy embracing all JRC nuclear activities has been prepared. With 
this approach, the full JRC nuclear program is presented in a homogenous way and contributes to 
a JRC-wide more coherent approach in project/programme definition, execution, monitoring and 
evaluation. 

To ensure the  relevance  and right orientation of its work  programme, JRC has  engaged  itself to 
participate in the most significant platforms and networks, and is actively contributing to establish 
effective mechanisms of collaboration inside and also outside Europe. Within the EU Institutions, 
JRC cooperation with the interested DGs and the relevant Council committees has been and will 
be  further  enhanced.  It  is  the  intention  of  the  JRC  to  maintain  and  strengthen  these  useful 
relationships  with  different  stakeholders,  to  extend  the  network  of  contacts  and  to  formalise 
existing collaborations. 

The direct actions of the Euratom programme are achieving their objectives assigned as planned. 
The long term objectives to be reached are also clearly defined and the work is focused towards 
their achievement; it is credible that they will be obtained, considering the expertise, facilities and 
existing network of collaboration.  

One identified area for improvement is related to the management of the knowledge obtained to 
improve the visibility and availability of the results obtained to the JRC stakeholders. The goal is 
to enable the transfer of knowledge and skills among partners in the EU and even worldwide. The 
JRC has the mandate and gives the appropriate priority to implement the necessary work; in fact, 
numerous  initiatives  are  already  in  place  and  steps  for  improvement  have  been  taken. 
Nevertheless,  more  can  still  be  done,  not  only  in  relation  with  the  direct  actions  but  also 
considering the overall knowledge produced in Europe.  

To  satisfy  this  need,  the  JRC  has  established  a  unit  for  Knowledge  Management  attached  to  its 
Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security. The mission of this unit is to manage and disseminate 
knowledge  generated  by  the  scientific  units;  to  monitor  knowledge  available  worldwide  and  to 
facilitate open access to JRC nuclear facilities including training and education. Attention is paid 
to anticipating knowledge needs, mapping knowledge gaps and suggesting research topics.  

The  new  Collaborative  Doctoral  Partnerships  initiative  is  an  instrument  to  stablish  partnerships 
with  higher  education  Institutions  on  specific  PhD  subjects.  This  will  allow  overcoming  the 
challenge  of  the  cancellation  of  previous  grant-holder  schemes  for  PhD  students  and  post-doc 
researchers, maintaining the same high level of quality in the education and training provided in 
the past. 

31 

 
 
12.   CONCLUSIONS 
The external evaluation conducted by a panel of high-level independent experts between October 
2016 and April 2017 confirmed the high relevance of the JRC direct actions of Euratom research 
and training programme for nuclear safety, security and safeguards research in Europe. JRC direct 
actions  continue  to  be  instrumental  in  promoting  the  research  and  training  in  nuclear  field  in 
Europe  and  tackling  the  related  challenges.  They  constitute  a  diverse  scientific  and  technical 
programme  which  supports  the  EU  policies,  the  Commission  political  agenda  and  meets  EU 
Member States needs in in the field of nuclear safety and security and safeguards. The programme 
is  achieving  its  objectives  both  by  providing  scientific  and  technological  support  for  the  EU 
research and training policies on nuclear safety and security, and also by contributing to improve 
the nuclear security and nuclear safety in Europe and worldwide. 

Regarding  efficiency  and  effectiveness  of  the  Programme,  the  reports  indicated  some  areas 
requiring some improvement.  Some of the recommendations will be implemented during the next 
two  years  programme  2019-2010.  Other  recommendations,  in  particular  those  concerning  the 
long-term  aspects  of  nuclear  research  will  be  further  analysed  during  the  ex-ante  impact 
assessment  of  the  future  Euratom  programme  planned  under  the  new  (post  2020)  multiannual 
financial framework. 

32 

 
ANNEX  1: PROCEDURAL  INFORMATION CONCERNING  THE  PROCESS  TO  PREPARE  THE  INTERIM 
EVALUATION  OF  INDIRECT  ACTIONS  OF  THE EURATOM  RESEARCH  AND  TRAINING  PROGRAMME 
2014-2018. 

Lead DG: Joint Research Centre (JRC)  

The  requirement  for  the  interim  evaluation  of  Euratom  programme  derives  from  Article  22(1)  of 
Regulation  1314/2013/Euratom  establishing  the  programme.  This  stipulates  that  the  Commission  shall 
carry  out,  with  the  assistance  of  independent  experts  selected  on  the  basis  of  a  transparent  process,  an 
interim  evaluation  of  the  Euratom  Programme  on  the  achievements,  at  the  level  of  results  and  progress 
towards impacts, of the objectives and continued relevance of all the measures, the efficiency and use of 
resources, the scope for further simplification, and European added value.  

The interim evaluation of the Euratom programme started in 2016 and has been guided by an Inter-Service 
Group  (ISG).  A  roadmap  summarising  the  design,  purpose  and  scope  of  the  interim  evaluation,  was 
published  in  May  201634.  An  Inter-Service  Group  (ISG)  gathering  representatives  of  four  Directorates-
General (RTD, ENER, JRC, SG) of the Commission was set up in 2016.  

To perform the interim evaluation of the direct actions, the JRC Director General, in consultation with the 
JRC Board of Governors selected a panel of six acknowledged experts. The JRC organised the evaluation 
and provided a secretariat as well as the necessary information as documents and reports compiling facts 
and figures and describing the scientific activities performed. Hearings at the four JRC sites with nuclear 
activities  were  organised  to  show  the  research  infrastructure  and  to  present  the  scientific  activities  and 
discuss with the experts. 

The interim evaluation is based on a wide range of sources comprising internal monitoring and evaluation 
reports,  produced  yearly  by  Commission  services  as  well  as  the  external  expert  group  report35  and  JRC 
reports prepared for its evaluation, the conclusions and recommendations of the ex-post evaluation of the 
Euratom  7th  Framework  Programme  (FP7)36  and  the  external  report  "Advice  on  JRC  nuclear  safety 
research activities" issued in September 2014.  

34 http://ec.europa.eu/smart-regulation/roadmaps/docs/2015_rtd_014_interim_evaluation_euratom_research_en.pdf 
35 Interim evaluation of the direct actions under the Euratom Research & Training Programme 2014-2018 DOI 10.2761/402387 
36 Ex-post evaluation of the direct actions of the JRC - EUR 27343 EN 

33