Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

**Council of the**
**European Union**

**Interinstitutional File:**

**2017/0312 (NLE)**

**LEGISLATIVE ACTS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS**

**Brussels, 9 October 2018**
**(OR. en)**

**12431/18**

**RECH 390**
**ATO 62**

Subject: COUNCIL REGULATION on the Research and Training Programme of the
European Atomic Energy Community (2019–2020) complementing the
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, and
repealing Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1314/2013

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**COUNCIL REGULATION (EURATOM) 2018/…**

**of …**

**on the Research and Training Programme**

**of the European Atomic Energy Community (2019–2020)**

**complementing the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation,**

**and repealing Regulation (Euratom) No 1314/2013**

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular

the first paragraph of Article 7 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee, **[1]**

After consulting the Scientific and Technical Committee,

**1** Opinion of 6 July 2018 (OJ C 237, 6.7.2018, p. 38).

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Whereas:

(1) One of the aims of the European Atomic Energy Community (the 'Community') is to

contribute to the raising of the standard of living in the Member States, including by

promoting and facilitating nuclear research in the Member States and complementing it by

carrying out a Community research and training programme.

(2) Nuclear research can contribute to social and economic prosperity and environmental

sustainability by improving nuclear safety, security and radiation protection. Equally

important is the potential contribution of nuclear research to the long-term decarbonisation

of the energy system in a safe, efficient and secure way.

(3) The interim evaluation of the 2014–2018 Research and Training Programme of the

Community established by Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1314/2013 **[1]** (the '2014–2018

Programme') concluded that the action is relevant and continues to be instrumental in

addressing challenges in nuclear safety, security and safeguards, radioactive waste

management, radiation protection and fusion energy.

**1** Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1314/2013 of 16 December 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
(OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 948).

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(4) In order to ensure continuity of nuclear research at Community level, it is necessary to

establish the Research and Training Programme of the Community for the period from

1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020 (the '2019–2020 Programme'). The 2019–2020

Programme should have the same objectives as the 2014–2018 Programme, support the

same activities and use the same mode of implementation, which proved to be efficient and

appropriate for the purpose of achieving the 2014–2018 Programme's objectives.

(5) By supporting nuclear research, the 2019–2020 Programme will contribute to achieving the

objectives of the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (the

'Horizon 2020 Framework Programme') established by Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 of

the European Parliament and of the Council **[1]** and will facilitate implementation of the

Europe 2020 strategy and the creation and operation of the European Research Area.

(6) Notwithstanding the potential impact of nuclear energy on energy supply and economic

development, severe nuclear accidents could endanger human health. Therefore, nuclear

safety and, where appropriate, security aspects dealt with by the Joint Research Centre (the

'JRC') should be given the greatest possible attention in the 2019–2020 Programme.

**1** Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of
11 December 2013 establishing Horizon 2020 - the Framework Programme for Research
and Innovation (2014-2020) and repealing Decision No 1982/2006/EC
(OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 104).

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(7) The European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (the 'SET Plan'), set out in the

conclusions of the Council meeting in Brussels on 28 February 2008, is accelerating the

development of a portfolio of low-carbon technologies. The European Council agreed at its

meeting on 4 February 2011 that the Union and its Member States would promote

investment in renewables and safe and sustainable low-carbon technologies and would

focus on implementing the technology priorities established in the SET Plan. Each

Member State remains free to choose the types of technology that it would support.

(8) As all Member States have nuclear installations or make use of radioactive materials, in

particular for medical purposes, the Council recognised in the conclusions of its meeting in

Brussels on 1 and 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.

(9) While it is for each Member State to choose whether or not to make use of nuclear power,

it is also acknowledged that nuclear energy plays different roles in different

Member States.

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(10) By signing the Agreement on the Establishment of the ITER International Fusion Energy

Organization for the Joint Implementation of the ITER Project **[1]**, the Community has

undertaken to participate in the construction of the ITER Project ('ITER') and its future

exploitation. The Community contribution is managed through the European Joint

Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy (Fusion for Energy),

established by Council Decision 2007/198/Euratom **[2]** .

(11) For fusion to become a credible option for commercial energy production, it is, firstly,

necessary to successfully complete the construction of ITER in a timely manner and to

start its operation. Secondly, it is necessary to establish an ambitious yet realistic roadmap

for the production of electricity by 2050. Reaching those goals requires the European

fusion programme to be directed towards a joint programme of activities implementing that

roadmap. In order to secure the achievements of ongoing fusion research activities, as well

as the long-term commitment of, and collaboration between, the fusion stakeholders,

continuity of the Community's support should be ensured. A stronger focus should be

placed primarily on the activities in support of ITER but also on the developments towards

the demonstration reactor, including the stronger involvement of the private sector where

appropriate. Such rationalisation and refocusing should be achieved without jeopardising

the European leadership of the fusion scientific community.

**1** OJ L 358, 16.12.2006, p. 62.
**2** Council Decision 2007/198/Euratom of 27 March 2007 establishing the European Joint
Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy and conferring advantages
upon it (OJ L 90, 30.3.2007, p. 58).

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(12) The 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. To optimise human resources and ensure that there is no duplication of research in

the Union, any new activity carried out by the JRC should be analysed to check its

consistency with existing activities in the Member States. The security aspects of the

Horizon 2020 Framework Programme should be limited to the direct actions of the JRC.

(13) The JRC should continue to generate additional resources through competitive activities,

including participation in indirect actions of the 2019–2020 Programme, third-party work

and, to a lesser extent, the exploitation of intellectual property.

(14) In the interest of all its Member States, the role of the Union is to develop 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 Communication from the

Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social

Committee and the Committee of the Regions, dated 6 October 2010, entitled '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.

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(15) With the aim of deepening the relationship between science and society and reinforcing

public confidence in science, the 2019–2020 Programme should favour the informed

engagement of citizens and civil society on research and innovation matters by promoting

science education, making scientific knowledge more accessible, developing responsible

research and innovation agendas that meet the concerns and expectations of citizens and

civil society, and facilitating their participation in activities under the 2019–2020

Programme.

(16) The implementation of the 2019–2020 Programme should respond to the evolving

opportunities and needs relating to science and technology, industry, policies and society.

The agendas should therefore be set in close liaison with stakeholders from all sectors

concerned, and sufficient flexibility should be allowed for new developments. External

advice might be sought during the 2019–2020 Programme, also making use of relevant

structures such as European technology platforms.

(17) The need to continue nuclear research at European level was recognised in the outcomes of

the debates that took place at the Symposium on the benefits and limitations of nuclear

fission research for a low-carbon economy prepared by an interdisciplinary study

involving, among others, experts from the fields of energy, economics and social sciences,

and co-organised by the Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee in

Brussels on 26 and 27 February 2013.

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(18) The 2019–2020 Programme should contribute to the attractiveness of the research

profession in the Union. Adequate attention should be paid to the Commission

Recommendation of 11 March 2005 on the European Charter for Researchers and on a

Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers **[1]**, together with other relevant

reference frameworks defined in the context of the European Research Area, while

respecting their voluntary nature.

(19) The activities developed under the 2019–2020 Programme should aim to promote equality

between women and men in research and innovation, by addressing in particular the

underlying causes of gender imbalance, exploiting the full potential of both female and

male researchers, and integrating the gender dimension into the content of projects in order

to improve the quality of research and stimulate innovation. Activities should also aim at

the implementation of the principles relating to equality between women and men as laid

down in Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 8 of the Treaty on

the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

(20) Research and innovation activities supported by the 2019–2020 Programme should respect

fundamental ethical principles. The opinions on energy matters of the European Group on

Ethics in Science and New Technologies should be taken into account where appropriate.

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.

**1** OJ L 75, 22.3.2005, p. 67.

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(21) A greater impact should also be achieved by combining the 2019–2020 Programme and

private-sector funds within public-private partnerships in key areas where research and

innovation could contribute to the Union's wider competitiveness goals. Particular attention

should be given to the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises.

(22) The 2019–2020 Programme should promote cooperation, in particular in the field of safety,

with third countries based on common interest and mutual benefit, in particular to promote

continuous improvement of nuclear safety.

(23) In order to maintain a level playing field for all undertakings that are active in the internal

market, funding provided by the 2019–2020 Programme should be designed in accordance

with state-aid rules so as to ensure the effectiveness of public spending and to prevent

market distortions such as the crowding-out of private funding, the creation of ineffective

market structures or the preservation of inefficient firms.

(24) The need for a new approach to control and risk management in Union research funding

was recognised by the European Council in its conclusions of 4 February 2011, which

called 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 **[1]**, 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.

**1** OJ C 74E, 13.3.2012, p. 34.

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(25) 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.

(26) It is important to ensure sound financial management of the 2019–2020 Programme and its

implementation in the most effective and user-friendly manner possible, while also

ensuring legal certainty and the accessibility of the 2019–2020 Programme to all

participants. It is necessary to ensure compliance with the relevant provisions of

Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council (the

'Financial Regulation') **[1]** and with the requirements of simplification and better regulation.

(27) To ensure the most efficient implementation possible and easy access for all participants

through simplified procedures, and to achieve a coherent, comprehensive and transparent

framework for participants, participation in the 2019–2020 Programme and the

dissemination of research results should be subject to the rules applicable to the

Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, as set out in Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 with

certain adaptations or exceptions.

**1** Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of
18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending
Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU)
No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU)
No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom)
No 966/2012 (OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1).

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(28) In order to allow for the most effective use of the debt and equity financial instruments set

up under the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, while preserving the distinct nature of

actions under the 2019–2020 Programme and making full use of the available budget,

repayments resulting from any of those financial instruments due to the non-utilisation of

funds made available under the 2019–2020 Programme or the 2014–2018 Programme

should directly benefit the 2019–2020 Programme.

(29) It is important to continue to facilitate the exploitation of intellectual property developed

by participants, while protecting the legitimate interests of other participants and the

Community in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic

Energy Community ('the Euratom Treaty').

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(30) The participant guarantee funds, managed by the Commission and established pursuant to

Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1908/2006 **[1]** and Council Regulation (Euratom)

No 139/2012 **[2]**, have proved to be an important safeguard mechanism which mitigates the

risks associated with the amounts due and not reimbursed by defaulting participants. The

participant guarantee fund established pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013 of the

European Parliament and of the Council **[3]** should also cover actions under this Regulation.

(31) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of the indirect actions under

the 2019–2020 Programme, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission

to adopt work programmes and the decision on the approval of the funding of indirect

actions. Those implementing powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation

(EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council **[4]** .

**1** Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1908/2006 of 19 December 2006 laying down the rules
for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in action under the
Seventh Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community and for the
dissemination of research results (2007 to 2011) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 1).
**2** Council Regulation (Euratom) No 139/2012 of 19 December 2011 laying down the rules for
the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in indirect actions under
the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community and for the
dissemination of research results (2012-2013) (OJ L 47, 18.2.2012, p. 1).
**3** Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of
11 December 2013 laying down the rules for participation and dissemination in
'Horizon 2020 - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020)' and
repealing Regulation (EC) No 1906/2006 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 81).
**4** Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of
16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for
control by the Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers
(OJ L 55, 28.2.2011. p. 13).

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(32) Achieving the objectives of the 2019–2020 Programme in relevant areas requires support

for cross-cutting activities, both within the 2019–2020 Programme and jointly with the

activities of the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme.

(33) Effective performance management, including evaluation and monitoring, requires the

development of specific performance indicators that can be measured over time, are

realistic, reflect the logic of the intervention and are relevant to the appropriate hierarchy

of objectives and activities. Appropriate coordination mechanisms should be put in place

between the implementation and monitoring of the 2019–2020 Programme, on the one

hand, and the monitoring of the progress, achievements and functioning of the European

Research Area, on the other.

(34) The Board of Governors of the JRC, set up by Commission Decision 96/282/Euratom **[1]**, has

been consulted on the scientific and technological content of the direct actions of the JRC.

(35) For reasons of legal certainty, Regulation (Euratom) No 1314/2013 should be repealed.

(36) The European Parliament has been consulted on a voluntary basis and has delivered an

opinion **[2]**,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

**1** Commission Decision 96/282/Euratom of 10 April 1996 on the reorganization of the Joint
Research Centre (OJ L 107, 30.4.1996, p. 12).
**2** Opinion of 11 September 2018 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

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## **TITLE I** **ESTABLISHMENT**

_Article 1_

_Establishment_

This Regulation establishes the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy

Community for the period from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020 (the '2019–2020

Programme'), and lays down the rules for participation in that Programme, including participation in

programmes of funding bodies managing the funds granted in accordance with this Regulation and

in activities conducted jointly under this Regulation and under the Horizon 2020 Framework

Programme for Research and Innovation (the 'Horizon 2020 Framework Programme') established

by Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013.

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_Article 2_

_Definitions_

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply:

(a) 'research and innovation activities' means the whole spectrum of activities of research,

technological development, demonstration and innovation, including the promotion of

cooperation with third countries and international organisations, dissemination and

optimisation of results and stimulation of the training and mobility of researchers in the

European Atomic Energy Community (the 'Community');

(b) 'direct actions' means research and innovation activities undertaken by the Commission

through its Joint Research Centre (the 'JRC');

(c) 'indirect actions' means research and innovation activities to which the Community or the

Union (the 'Union') provides financial support and which are undertaken by participants;

(d) 'public-private partnership' means a partnership where private-sector partners, the

Community and, where appropriate, other partners, such as public-sector bodies, commit to

jointly support the development and implementation of a research and innovation

programme or research and innovation activities;

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(e) 'public-public partnership' means a partnership where public-sector bodies or bodies with a

public-service mission at local, regional, national or international level commit with the

Community to jointly support the development and implementation of a research and

innovation programme or research and innovation activities.

_Article 3_

_Objectives_

1. The general objective of the 2019–2020 Programme is to pursue nuclear research and

training activities with an emphasis on the continuous improvement of nuclear safety,

security and radiation protection, in particular to potentially contribute to the long-term

decarbonisation of the energy system in a safe, efficient and secure way. The general

objective shall be implemented through the activities specified in Annex I in the form of

direct and indirect actions which pursue the specific objectives set out in paragraphs 2 and

3 of this Article.

2. The 2019–2020 Programme indirect actions shall have the following specific objectives:

(a) supporting the safety of nuclear systems;

(b) contributing to the development of safe, longer-term solutions for the management of

ultimate nuclear waste, including final geological disposal as well as partitioning and

transmutation;

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(c) supporting the development and sustainability of nuclear expertise and excellence in

the Union;

(d) supporting radiation protection and the development of medical applications of

radiation, including, _inter alia_, the secure and safe supply and use of radioisotopes;

(e) moving towards demonstrating the feasibility of fusion as a power source by

exploiting existing and future fusion facilities;

(f) laying the foundations for future fusion power plants by developing materials,

technologies and conceptual design;

(g) promoting innovation and industrial competitiveness;

(h) ensuring the availability and use of research infrastructures of pan-European

relevance.

3. The 2019–2020 Programme direct actions shall 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;

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(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.

Any new activity assigned to the JRC shall be analysed by the Board of Governors of the

JRC to check its consistency with existing activities in the Member States.

4. The 2019–2020 Programme shall be implemented in such a way as to ensure that the

priorities and activities supported are relevant to changing needs and take account of the

evolving nature of science, technology, innovation, policy-making, markets and society,

with the aim of optimizing human and financial resources, and to avoid duplication on

nuclear research and development in the Union.

5. Within the specific objectives referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3, account may be taken of

new and unforeseen needs that arise during the period of implementation of the 2019–2020

Programme. This may, if duly justified, include responses to emerging opportunities, crises

and threats, to needs relating to the development of new Union policies, and to the piloting

of actions foreseen for support under future programmes.

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_Article 4_

_Budget_

1. The financial envelope for the implementation of the 2019–2020 Programme shall be

EUR 770 220 000. That amount shall be distributed as follows:

(a) for indirect actions for the fusion research and development programme,

EUR 349 834 000;

(b) for indirect actions for nuclear fission, safety and radiation protection,

EUR 151 579 000;

(c) for direct actions, EUR 268 807 000.

For the implementation of indirect actions of the 2019–2020 Programme, the

Commission's administrative expenditure shall account on average for no more than 6 % of

the combined total of the amounts set out in points (a) and (b) of the first subparagraph

during the duration of the 2019–2020 Programme.

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2. The financial envelope of the 2019–2020 Programme may cover expenses pertaining to

preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities which are required for the

management of that Programme and the achievement of its objectives, in particular studies

and meetings of experts, in so far as they relate to the general objectives of this Regulation,

and expenses linked to information technology networks focusing on information

processing and exchange, together with all other technical and administrative assistance

expenses incurred by the Commission for the management of the 2019–2020 Programme.

The expenses for continuous and repetitive actions such as control, audit and IT networks

will be covered within the limits of the Commission's administrative expenditure specified

in paragraph 1.

3. Where necessary and duly justified, appropriations may be entered in the budget beyond

2020 to cover technical and administrative assistance expenses, in order to enable the

management of actions not yet completed by 31 December 2020.

4. Where the direct actions contribute to initiatives established by entities entrusted by the

Commission with implementation tasks in accordance with Article 6(2) and Article 15, that

contribution shall not be considered as part of the financial contribution allocated to those

initiatives.

5. Budgetary commitments may be divided into annual instalments. Each year the

Commission shall commit the annual instalments taking into account the progress of the

actions receiving financial support, the estimated needs and the budget available.

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_Article 5_

_Association of third countries_

1. The 2019–2020 Programme shall be open to the association of:

(a) acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates, in accordance with

the general principles and general terms and conditions for the participation of those

countries in Union programmes established in the respective framework agreements

and decisions of association councils or similar agreements;

(b) European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members, or countries or territories

covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy, that fulfil all of the following

criteria:

(i) a good capacity in science, technology and innovation;

(ii) a good track record of participation in Union research and innovation

programmes;

(iii) fair and equitable dealing with intellectual property rights;

(c) countries or territories associated with the Seventh Euratom Framework Programme

or the Euratom Research and Training Programme 2014–2018.

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2. Specific terms and conditions regarding the participation of associated countries in the

2019–2020 Programme, including the financial contribution, based on the gross domestic

product of the associated country, shall be determined by international agreements between

the Union and the associated countries.

## **TITLE II** **IMPLEMENTATION** **Chapter I** **Implementation, management and forms of support**

_Article 6_

_Management and forms of Community support_

1. The 2019–2020 Programme shall be implemented through indirect actions using one or

several of the forms of funding provided for by the Financial Regulation, in particular

grants, prizes, procurement and financial instruments. The Community support shall also

consist of direct actions in the form of research and innovation activities undertaken by the

JRC.

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2. Without prejudice to Article 10 of the Euratom Treaty, the Commission may entrust part of

the implementation of the 2019–2020 Programme to the funding bodies referred to in

point (c) of Article 62(1) of the Financial Regulation.

The Commission may also entrust the implementation of indirect actions under the

2019–2020 Programme to bodies created under, or referred to in, the Horizon 2020

Framework Programme.

3. The Commission shall adopt, by means of implementing acts, in accordance with the

examination procedure referred to in Article 12(3), the decision on the approval of the

funding of indirect actions.

_Article 7_

_Rules for participation and dissemination of research results_

1. Subject to paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article, the participation of any legal entity in indirect

actions undertaken under the 2019–2020 Programme shall be governed by the rules laid

down in Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013.

2. For the purposes of the 2019–2020 Programme, the 'security rules' referred to in the first

subparagraph of Article 43(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013 shall include the defence

interests of the Member States within the meaning of Article 24 of the Euratom Treaty.

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By way of derogation from the first subparagraph of Article 44(3) of Regulation (EU)

No 1290/2013, the Commission or the funding body may, with regard to results which are

generated by participants having received Community financial contribution, object to

transfers of ownership, or to grants of an exclusive or non-exclusive licence, to third

parties established in a third country not associated with the 2019–2020 Programme where

it considers that the transfer or grant is not in accordance with the interest of developing

the competitiveness of the Union economy or is inconsistent with ethical principles or

security considerations. 'Security considerations' shall include the defence interests of the

Member States within the meaning of Article 24 of the Euratom Treaty.

By way of derogation from the first subparagraph of Article 49(1) of Regulation (EU)

No 1290/2013, the Community and its joint undertakings shall, for the purpose of

developing, implementing and monitoring Community policies and programmes or

obligations assumed through international cooperation with third countries and

international organisations, enjoy access rights to the results of a participant having

received a Community financial contribution. Such access rights shall include the right to

authorise third parties to use the results in public procurement and the right to sublicense,

shall be limited to non-commercial and non-competitive use and shall be granted on a

royalty-free basis.

3. The participant guarantee fund established pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013

shall cover the risk associated with non-recovery of sums due by participants in actions

financed through grants by the Commission or funding bodies under this Regulation.

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_Article 8_

_Cross-cutting activities_

1. In order to achieve the objectives of the 2019–2020 Programme and to address challenges

common to the 2019–2020 Programme and the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme,

activities cutting across the indirect actions set out in Annex I and the indirect actions

implementing the Specific Programme of the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, as

established by Council Decision 2013/743/EU **[1]**, may benefit from the Union financial

contribution.

2. The financial contribution referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article may be combined from

the financial contributions for indirect actions set out in Article 4 of this Regulation and in

Article 6 of Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013, and implemented through a single funding

scheme.

_Article 9_

_Gender equality_

The 2019–2020 Programme shall ensure the effective promotion of gender equality and the gender

dimension in research and innovation content.

**1** Council Decision 2013/743/EU of 3 December 2013 establishing the specific programme
implementing Horizon 2020 - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation
(2014-2020) and repealing Decisions 2006/971/EC, 2006/972/EC, 2006/973/EC,
2006/974/EC and 2006/975/EC (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 965).

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_Article 10_

_Ethical principles_

1. All the research and innovation activities carried out under the 2019–2020 Programme

shall comply with ethical principles and relevant national, Union and international

legislation, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the

European Convention on Human Rights and its Supplementary Protocols.

Particular attention shall be paid to the principle of proportionality, the right to privacy, the

right to the protection of personal data, the right to the physical and mental integrity of a

person, the right to non-discrimination and the need to ensure high levels of human health

protection.

2. Research and innovation activities carried out under the 2019–2020 Programme shall have

an exclusive focus on civil applications.

_Article 11_

_Work programmes_

1. The Commission shall adopt, by means of implementing acts, in accordance with the

examination procedure referred to in Article 12(3), work programmes for the

implementation of the indirect actions. Such work programmes shall allow for bottom-up

approaches that address the objectives in innovative ways.

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The work programmes shall set out the essential elements for implementing the actions in

accordance with the Financial Regulation, including their detailed objectives, the

associated funding and a timetable, as well as a multiannual approach and strategic

orientations for the following years of implementation.

2. For direct actions, the Commission shall, in accordance with Decision 96/282/Euratom,

draw up a multiannual work programme, setting out in greater detail the objectives and

scientific and technological priorities presented in Annex I, and a timetable for

implementation.

The multiannual work programme referred to in the first subparagraph shall also take

account of relevant research activities carried out by the Member States, associated

countries and European and international organisations. It shall be updated as and when

appropriate.

3. The work programmes referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall take account of the state of

science, technology and innovation at national, Union and international level and of

relevant policy, market and societal developments. They shall be updated as and where

appropriate.

4. The work programmes referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall contain a section which

identifies the cross-cutting activities referred to in Article 8.

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_Article 12_

_Committee procedure_

1. The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee. That Committee shall be a committee

within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

2. The Committee shall meet in two different configurations, dealing respectively with

fission-related aspects and fusion-related aspects of the 2019–2020 Programme.

With a view to facilitating the implementation of the 2019–2020 Programme, for each

meeting of the Committee as defined in the agenda, the Commission shall reimburse, in

accordance with its established guidelines, the expenses of one representative per

Member State, as well as one expert/adviser per Member State for those agenda items

where a Member State requires specific expertise.

3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, the examination procedure in accordance with

Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.

4. Where the opinion of the Committee is to be obtained by written procedure, that procedure

shall be terminated without result when, within the time-limit for delivery of the opinion,

the chair of the Committee so decides or a simple majority of Committee members so

requests.

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_Article 13_

_Provision of information to the Committee_

The Commission shall regularly inform the Committee referred to in Article 12 of the overall

progress made in implementing the 2019–2020 Programme, and shall provide it with timely

information on all indirect actions proposed or funded under the 2019–2020 Programme.

_Article 14_

_External advice and societal engagement_

1. For the implementation of the 2019–2020 Programme, account shall be taken of advice and

inputs provided, where appropriate, by:

(a) the Euratom Scientific and Technical Committee pursuant to Article 134 of the

Euratom Treaty;

(b) independent advisory groups of high-level experts set up by the Commission;

(c) dialogue structures created under international science and technology agreements;

(d) forward-looking activities;

(e) targeted public consultations (including, where appropriate, regional and national

authorities or stakeholders); and

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(f) transparent and interactive processes that ensure support for responsible research and

innovation.

2. Full account shall also be taken of the research and innovation agendas established by,

_inter alia_, European technology platforms, joint programming initiatives and European

innovation partnerships.

## **Chapter II** **Specific fields of action**

_Article 15_

_Small and medium-sized enterprises_

Particular attention shall be paid to ensuring the adequate participation of, and innovation impact

on, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the private sector in general in the 2019–2020

Programme. Quantitative and qualitative assessments of SME participation shall be undertaken as

part of the evaluation and monitoring arrangements.

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_Article 16_

_Public-private and public-public partnerships_

To attain the objectives set out in Article 3 of this Regulation, specific activities of the 2019–2020

Programme may be implemented through:

(a) Joint Undertakings established on the basis of Chapter 5 of the Euratom Treaty;

(b) public-public partnerships based on the 'Programme co-fund actions' funding scheme;

(c) contractual public-private partnerships, as referred to in Article 25 of Regulation (EU)

No 1291/2013.

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_Article 17_

_International cooperation with third countries and international organisations_

1. Entities established in third countries and international organisations shall be eligible to

participate in indirect actions of the 2019–2020 Programme under the conditions set out in

Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013. Exceptions to the general principle in that regard are set

out in Article 7 of this Regulation. International cooperation with third countries and

international organisations shall be promoted by the 2019–2020 Programme with a view

to:

(a) strengthening the Union's excellence and attractiveness in research and innovation as

well as its economic and industrial competitiveness;

(b) effectively tackling common societal challenges;

(c) supporting the Union's external and development policy objectives, complementing

external and development programmes and seeking synergies with other Union

policies.

2. Targeted actions with the objective of promoting cooperation with specific third countries

or groups of third countries shall be implemented on the basis of a strategic approach as

well as common interest, priorities and mutual benefit, taking into account their scientific

and technological capabilities and market opportunities, and the expected impact.

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Reciprocal access to third-country programmes should be encouraged. In order to

maximise impact, coordination and synergies with initiatives of Member States and

associated countries shall be promoted. The nature of the cooperation may vary according

to the specific partner countries.

Cooperation priorities shall take into account developments in Union policy opportunities

for cooperation with third countries, and the fair and equitable treatment of intellectual

property rights.

_Article 18_

_Information, communication, exploitation and dissemination_

1. When implementing the 2019–2020 Programme, communication and dissemination

activities shall be considered an integral part of the actions supported by the 2019–2020

Programme.

2. The communication activities referred to in paragraph 1 may include:

(a) initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and facilitating access to funding under the

2019–2020 Programme, in particular for those regions or types of participant that

have a relatively low participation;

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(b) targeted assistance to projects and consortia to provide them with access to the

necessary skills to optimise the communication, exploitation and dissemination of

results;

(c) initiatives to foster dialogue and debate on scientific, technological and

innovation-related issues with the public, and to take advantage of social media and

other innovative technologies and methodologies;

(d) communication of the Union's political priorities, provided that they are related to the

aims of this Regulation, in particular the provision by the Commission of timely and

thorough information to Member States.

3. Subject to the Euratom Treaty and relevant Union legislation, the dissemination activities

referred to in paragraph 1 may include:

(a) actions which bring together results from a range of projects, including those that

may be funded from other sources, to provide user-friendly databases and reports that

summarise key findings;

(b) dissemination of results to policy-makers, including standardisation bodies, to

promote the use of policy-relevant results by the appropriate bodies at international,

Union, national and regional level.

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## **Chapter III** **Control**

_Article 19_

_Control and audit_

1. The control system set up for the implementation of this Regulation shall be designed so as

to provide reasonable assurance of achieving adequate management of the risks relating to

the effectiveness and efficiency of the operations as well as the legality and regularity of

the underlying transactions, taking into account the multiannual character of programmes

as well as the nature of the payments concerned.

2. The control system referred to in paragraph 1 shall ensure an appropriate balance between

trust and control, taking into account administrative and other costs of controls at all levels,

especially for participants, so that the 2019–2020 Programme objectives can be achieved

and the most excellent researchers and most innovative enterprises can be attracted to it.

3. As part of the control system referred to in paragraph 1, the audit strategy for expenditure

in the indirect actions under the 2019–2020 Programme shall be based on the financial

audit of a representative sample of expenditure across the whole 2019–2020 Programme.

That representative sample shall be complemented by a selection based on an assessment

of the risks related to expenditure.

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Audits of expenditure in the indirect actions under the 2019–2020 Programme shall be

carried out in a coherent manner in accordance with the principles of economy, efficiency

and effectiveness in order to minimise the audit burden of the participants.

_Article 20_

_Protection of the financial interests of the Union_

1. The Commission shall take appropriate measures to ensure that, when actions financed

under this Regulation are implemented, the financial interests of the Union are protected by

the application of preventive measures against fraud, corruption and any other illegal

activities, by effective checks and, where irregularities are detected, by the recovery of the

amounts wrongly paid and, where appropriate, by effective, proportionate and dissuasive

administrative and financial penalties.

2. The Commission or its representatives and the Court of Auditors shall have the power of

audit, on the basis of documents and on the spot, over all grant beneficiaries, contractors

and subcontractors who have received Union funds under this Regulation.

Without prejudice to paragraph 3, audits by the Commission may be carried out up to

two years after the final payment.

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3. The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) may carry out investigations, including

on-the-spot checks and inspections in accordance with the provisions and procedures laid

down in Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the

Council **[1]** and Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 **[2]**, with a view to establishing

whether there has been fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the financial

interests of the Union in connection with a grant agreement or grant decision or a contract

funded under the 2019–2020 Programme.

4. Without prejudice to paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, cooperation agreements with third countries

and with international organisations, contracts, grant agreements and grant decisions

resulting from the implementation of this Regulation shall contain provisions expressly

empowering the Commission, the Court of Auditors and OLAF to conduct such audits and

investigations, according to their respective competences.

**1** Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of
11 September 2013 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office
(OLAF) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of
the Council and Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 (OJ L 248, 18.9.2013, p. 1).
**2** Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning
on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the
European Communities' financial interests against fraud and other irregularities
(OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2).

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## **Chapter IV** **Monitoring and evaluation**

_Article 21_

_Monitoring_

1. The Commission shall annually monitor the implementation, including the progress and

achievements, of the 2019–2020 Programme. The Commission shall provide the

Committee referred to in Article 12 with information in that regard.

2. The Commission shall report and make publicly available the results of the monitoring

referred to in paragraph 1.

_Article 22_

_Evaluation_

1. Evaluations shall be carried out in a sufficiently timely manner to feed into the

decision-making process.

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By 31 December 2022, the Commission shall carry out, with the assistance of independent

experts selected on the basis of a transparent process, an _ex post_ evaluation of the 2019–

2020 Programme. That evaluation shall cover the rationale, implementation and

achievements, as well as the longer-term impacts and sustainability, of the measures, to

feed into a decision on a possible renewal, modification or suspension of a subsequent

measure.

2. Without prejudice to paragraph 1, direct and indirect actions of the 2019–2020 Programme

shall be subject to separate evaluations.

3. The evaluations referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall assess the progress made towards

the objectives set out in Article 3, taking into account the relevant performance indicators

defined in Annex II.

4. Where appropriate and available, Member States shall provide the Commission with data

and information necessary for the monitoring and evaluation of the measures concerned.

5. The Commission shall communicate the conclusions of the evaluations referred to in

paragraphs 1 and 2, accompanied by its observations, to the European Parliament, the

Council and the European Economic and Social Committee.

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## **TITLE III** **FINAL AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS**

_Article 23_

_Repeal and transitional provisions_

1. Regulation (Euratom) No 1314/2013 is repealed with effect from 1 January 2019.

2. Without prejudice to paragraph 1, activities or actions benefiting from the Community

financial support under Regulation (Euratom) No 1314/2013 shall continue to be governed

by the rules applicable to those activities or actions until their termination, completion or

closure. Where necessary, any remaining tasks of the Committee set up pursuant to

Regulation (Euratom) No 1314/2013 shall be undertaken by the Committee referred to in

Article 12 of this Regulation.

3. The financial envelope referred to in Article 4 may also cover the technical and

administrative assistance expenses necessary to ensure the transition between the

2019–2020 Programme and the measures adopted under Regulation (Euratom)

No 1314/2013.

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4. By way of derogation from the second subparagraph of Article 209(3) of the Financial

Regulation, annual repayments generated by a financial instrument established under

Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 and resulting from the non-utilisation of funds made

available under this Regulation or Regulation (Euratom) No 1314/2013 shall be assigned to

the 2019–2020 Programme.

_Article 24_

_Entry into force_

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in the

_Official Journal of the European Union_ .

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at ...,

_For the Council_

_The President_

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**ANNEX I**

ACTIVITIES

Rationale for the 2019–2020 Programme – paving the way to 2020

By achieving the objectives set out in Article 3, the 2019–2020 Programme will reinforce outcomes

under the three priorities of the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, namely excellent science,

industrial leadership and societal challenges.

Nuclear power constitutes an element in the debate on combating climate change and reducing

Europe's dependence on imported energy. In the broader context of finding a sustainable energy

mix for the future, the 2019–2020 Programme will also contribute through its research activities to

the debate on the benefits and the limitations of nuclear fission energy for a low-carbon economy.

Through ensuring continuous improvement of nuclear safety, more advanced nuclear technologies

could also offer the prospect of significant improvements in the efficiency and use of resources and

of producing less waste than current designs. Nuclear safety aspects will receive the greatest

possible attention.

The 2019–2020 Programme will strengthen the research and innovation framework in the nuclear

field and coordinate Member States' research efforts, thereby avoiding duplication, retaining critical

mass in key areas and ensuring that public funding is used in an optimal way. The coordination will,

however, not prevent Member States from having programmes to fulfil national needs.

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The strategy to develop fusion as a credible option for commercial carbon-free energy production

will follow a roadmap with milestones towards the goal of electricity production by 2050. To

implement that strategy, a restructuring of fusion-related work in the Union, including governance,

funding and management, must be carried out to ensure a shift of emphasis from pure research to

designing, building and operating future facilities such as ITER, DEMO and beyond. That will

require close cooperation between the entire Union fusion community, the Commission and the

national funding agencies.

In order to maintain the Union expertise necessary for achieving those goals, the 2019–2020

Programme must further enhance its role in training through the establishment of training facilities

of pan-European interest that will deliver dedicated programmes. That will continue to promote the

European Research Area and the further integration of new Member States and associated countries.

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Activities necessary to achieve the programme objectives

Indirect actions

In order to ensure that the indirect actions of the 2019–2020 Programme mutually reinforce research

efforts of the Member States and the private sector, the priorities of the work programmes are to be

established on the basis of appropriate inputs from national public authorities and nuclear research

stakeholders grouped in bodies or frameworks such as technology platforms and technical forums

for nuclear systems and safety, management of ultimate waste and radiation protection / low-dose

risk and fusion research, and any relevant organisation or forum of nuclear stakeholders.

(a) Supporting the safety of nuclear systems (societal challenges, excellent science, industrial

leadership)

In line with the general objective, support for joint research activities concerning the safe

operation and decommissioning of reactor systems (including fuel cycle facilities) in use in

the Union or, to the extent necessary in order to maintain broad nuclear safety expertise in

the Union, those reactor types which may be used in the future, focusing exclusively on

safety aspects, including all aspects of the fuel cycle such as partitioning and

transmutation.

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(b) Contributing to the development of safe, longer-term solutions for the management of

ultimate nuclear waste, including final geological disposal as well as partitioning and

transmutation (excellent science, societal challenges)

Joint and/or coordinated research activities on remaining key aspects of geological disposal

of spent fuel and long-lived radioactive waste with, as appropriate, demonstration of

technologies and safety. Those activities are to promote the development of a common

Union view on the main issues related to waste management from discharge of fuel to

disposal.

Research activities related to management of other radioactive waste streams for which

industrially mature processes currently do not exist.

(c) Supporting the development and sustainability of nuclear expertise and excellence in the

Union (excellent science)

Promoting joint training and mobility activities between research centres and industry, and

between different Member and Associated States, as well as support for maintaining

multidisciplinary nuclear competences in order to guarantee the availability of suitably

qualified researchers, engineers and employees in the nuclear sector in the Union in the

long term.

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(d) Supporting radiation protection and the development of medical applications of radiation,

including, _inter alia_, the secure and safe supply and use of radioisotopes (excellent science,

societal challenges)

Joint and/or coordinated research activities, in particular those regarding the risks from low

doses from industrial, medical or environmental exposure, on emergency management in

relation to accidents involving radiation, and on radioecology, to provide a pan-European

scientific and technological basis for a robust, equitable and socially acceptable system of

protection.

Research activities on medical applications of ionising radiation and addressing the

operational safety aspects of radiation protection and their utilisation.

(e) Moving towards demonstrating the feasibility of fusion as a power source by exploiting

existing and future fusion facilities (industrial leadership, societal challenges)

Supporting common research activities undertaken by EUROfusion members and any of

the entities referred to in point (i) to ensure the swift start of high-performance operation of

ITER, including the use of relevant facilities (including, as appropriate, JET, the Joint

European Torus), of integrated modelling using, among others, high-performance

computers, and training activities to prepare the next generation of researchers and

engineers.

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(f) Laying the foundations for future fusion power plants by developing materials,

technologies and conceptual design (industrial leadership, societal challenges)

Supporting joint activities undertaken by EUROfusion members and any of the entities

referred to in point (i) to develop and qualify materials for a demonstration power plant

requiring, _inter alia_, preparatory work for an appropriate material test facility and

negotiations for the Union's participation in a suitable international framework for that

facility. Such development and qualifications are to make use of all possible levels of the

experimental, computational and theoretical capacities available.

Supporting joint research activities undertaken by members of the European Fusion

Development Agreement and any of the entities referred to in point (i) that will address

reactor operation issues and will develop and demonstrate all relevant technologies for a

fusion demonstration power plant. Those activities include the preparation of complete

demonstration power plant conceptual designs and exploration of the potential of

stellarators as a power plant technology.

(g) Promoting innovation and industry competitiveness (industrial leadership)

Implementing or supporting knowledge management and technology transfer from the

research co-funded by the 2019–2020 Programme to industry exploiting all innovative

aspects of the research.

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Promoting innovation through, _inter alia_, open access to scientific publications, a database

for knowledge management and dissemination and promoting technology topics in

educational programmes.

In the long term, the 2019–2020 Programme is to support the preparation and development

of a competitive nuclear fusion industrial sector facilitating the involvement of the private

sector as well as SMEs where appropriate, in particular through the implementation of a

technology roadmap to a fusion power plant with active industrial involvement in the

design and development projects.

(h) Ensuring the availability and use of research infrastructures of pan-European relevance

(excellent science)

Activities supporting the construction, refurbishment, use and continued availability of key

research infrastructures under the 2019–2020 Programme, as well as appropriate access to

those infrastructures and cooperation between them.

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(i) European fusion programme

The joint programme of activities implementing the roadmap towards the goal of

electricity production by 2050 co-funded through the EUROfusion grant (Programme

co-fund action) awarded under Regulation (Euratom) No 1314/2013 to the legal entities

established or designated by Member States and any third country associated with the

2019–2020 Programme. The EUROfusion grant may continue to be funded under the

2019–2020 Programme. The joint programme may include resources in kind from the

Community, such as scientific and technical exploitation of the JET facility in accordance

with Article 10 of the Euratom Treaty, or the secondment of Commission staff.

JRC direct actions

The priorities for direct actions are to be established through consultation of the policy

Directorates-General of the Commission and of the JRC Board of Governors.

The nuclear activities of the JRC must aim to support the implementation of Council Directives

2009/71/Euratom **[1]** and 2011/70/Euratom **[2]**, as well as Council conclusions giving priority to the

highest standards for nuclear safety in the Union and internationally.

**1** Council Directive 2009/71/Euratom of 25 June 2009 establishing a Community framework
for the nuclear safety of nuclear installations (OJ L 172, 2.7.2009, p. 18).
**2** Council Directive 2011/70/Euratom of 19 July 2011 establishing a Community framework
for the responsible and safe management of spent fuel and radioactive waste
(OJ L 199, 2.8.2011, p. 48).

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The JRC must, in particular, contribute to the nuclear safety research needed for safe, secure and

peaceful use of nuclear energy and other non-fission applications. The JRC will provide a scientific

basis for the relevant Union policies and, where necessary, react within the limits of its mission and

competence to nuclear events, incidents and accidents. To that effect, the JRC will carry out

research and assessments, provide references and standards and deliver dedicated training and

education. Synergies with relevant cross-cutting initiatives will be sought as appropriate, with the

aim of optimising human and financial resources and to avoid duplication of nuclear research and

development in the Union. The JRC activities in these areas will be conducted taking into account

relevant initiatives at regional, Member State or Union level, within the perspective of shaping the

European Research Area.

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(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

The JRC will contribute to the development of tools and methods to achieve high safety

standards for nuclear installations and fuel cycles relevant to Europe. Those tools and

methods will include:

(1) severe accident analyses modelling and methodologies for assessment of nuclear

installations' operational safety margins; supporting 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 operational experience.

The JRC will further pursue its 'European Clearinghouse on NPP Operational

Experience Feedback' to focus its activities on post-Fukushima nuclear safety

challenges, appealing to the Members States' competences in this area;

(2) minimisation of the scientific uncertainties in the prediction of long-term behaviour

of nuclear waste and of the dispersion of radionuclides in the environment; and key

aspects of research on decommissioning of nuclear installations;

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(3) exchange with relevant stakeholders for strengthening Union capacity to respond to

nuclear accidents and incidents by research on alert systems and models for

radiological dispersion in the air, and by mobilising resources and expertise for

analysing and modelling nuclear accidents.

(b) Improving nuclear security including: nuclear safeguards, non-proliferation, combating

illicit trafficking, and nuclear forensics

The area of non-proliferation must receive the greatest possible attention. The JRC will:

(1) develop enhanced methodologies and detection/verification methods and

technologies to support the Community safeguards and strengthen international

safeguards;

(2) develop and apply enhanced methods and technology to prevent, detect and respond

to nuclear and radioactive incidents, including qualification of detection technology

and development of nuclear forensics methods and techniques in the fight against

illicit trafficking in synergies with the global CBRN (chemical, biological,

radiological and nuclear) framework;

(3) support the implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear

Weapons and Union-related strategies through analysis studies and follow-up of the

technical evolution of export control regimes to support relevant Commission and

Union services.

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(c) Increasing excellence in the nuclear science base for standardisation

The JRC will further develop the scientific basis for nuclear safety and security. Emphasis

will be given to research on fundamental properties and behaviour of actinides, structural

and nuclear materials. In supporting Union standardisation, the JRC will provide

state-of-the-art nuclear standards, reference data and measurements, including the

development and implementation of relevant databases and assessment tools. The JRC will

support the further development of medical applications, namely new cancer therapies

based on alpha irradiation.

(d) Fostering knowledge management, education and training

The JRC must stay abreast of new developments in research and instrumentation, safety

and environmental regulations. To that effect, a rolling investment plan for the scientific

infrastructures must be implemented.

In order to maintain the Union at the forefront of nuclear safety and security, the JRC must

develop knowledge management tools, monitor Union trends in human resources through

its Nuclear Human Resources Observatory and deliver dedicated training and education

programmes, covering also decommissioning aspects.

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

The JRC must foster its expertise and excellence in order to provide independent scientific

and technical evidence which might be necessary to support Union policy on nuclear safety

and security.

As the Euratom Implementing Agent for the Generation IV International Forum (GIF), the

JRC will continue to coordinate the Community contribution to GIF. The JRC will pursue

and further develop international research cooperation with key partner countries and

international organisations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and

the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and

Development (OECD) in order to promote the Union's nuclear safety and security policies.

Cross-cutting activities within the 2019–2020 Programme

In order to achieve its general objectives, the 2019–2020 Programme will support complementary

activities (direct and indirect, coordination and stimulating joint programming) that ensure synergy

of research efforts in solving common challenges (such as materials, coolant technology, reference

nuclear data, modelling and simulation, remote handling, waste management, radiation protection).

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Cross-cutting activities and interfaces with the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme

In order to achieve the objectives of the 2019–2020 Programme, appropriate links and interfaces,

such as joint calls, will be ensured with the Specific Programme of the Horizon 2020 Framework

Programme.

The 2019–2020 Programme may contribute to the debt and equity facilities developed under the

Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, which will be widened to cover the objectives referred to in

Article 3.

International cooperation with third countries and international organisations

International cooperation in nuclear research and innovation, based on shared goals and mutual

trust, must continue, with the aim of providing clear and significant benefits for the Union and its

environment. As a contribution to the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 3, the

Community will seek to reinforce the Union's scientific and technical expertise through

international cooperation agreements and to promote the access of the Union nuclear industry to

new emerging markets.

International cooperation activities will be promoted through multilateral frameworks (such as the

IAEA, the OECD, ITER and GIF), and by the existing or new bilateral cooperation with countries

having strong R&D and industrial bases and research installations under operation, design or

construction.

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**ANNEX II**

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

This Annex presents, for each of the specific objectives of the 2019–2020 Programme, a number of

key performance indicators for assessing results and impacts that may be refined during the

implementation of the 2019–2020 Programme.

1. Indicators for indirect actions

(a) Supporting the safety of nuclear systems

–
The number of projects (joint research and/or coordinated actions) likely to

lead to a demonstrable improvement in nuclear safety practice in Europe.

(b) Contributing to the development of safe, longer-term solutions for the management

of ultimate nuclear waste, including final geological disposal, partitioning and

transmutation

–
The number of projects contributing to the development of safe, long-term

solutions for the management of ultimate nuclear waste.

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(c) Supporting the development and sustainability of nuclear expertise and excellence in

the Union

–
Training through research – the number of PhD students and postdoctoral

researchers supported through the Euratom fission projects.

–
The number of fellows and trainees in the Euratom fusion programme.

(d) Supporting radiation protection and the development of medical applications of

radiation, including, _inter alia_, the secure and safe supply and use of radioisotopes

–
The number of projects likely to have a demonstrable impact on regulatory

practice regarding radiation protection and on the development of medical

applications of radiation.

(e) Moving towards demonstrating the feasibility of fusion as a power source by

exploiting existing and future fusion facilities

–
The number of publications in peer-reviewed high-impact journals.

(f) Laying the foundations for future fusion power plants by developing materials,

technologies and conceptual design

–
The percentage of the Fusion Roadmap's milestones, established for the period

2014–2020, reached by the 2019–2020 Programme.

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(g) Promoting innovation and industry competitiveness

–
The number of spin-offs from fusion research under the 2019–2020

Programme.

–
The patent applications generated and patents awarded on the basis of research

activities supported by the 2019–2020 Programme.

(h) Ensuring the availability and use of research infrastructures of pan-European

relevance

–
The number of researchers having access to research infrastructures through

2019–2020 Programme support.

2. Indicators for direct actions

(a) Impact indicator for JRC policy support

–
The number of occurrences of tangible specific impacts on Union policies

resulting from technical and scientific policy support provided by the JRC.

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(b) JRC scientific productivity indicator

–
The number of peer reviewed publications.

The indicators referred to in points (a) and (b) may be represented according to the

following Community objectives of direct actions:

–
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.

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