European Nuclear Skills Initiative – towards European Nuclear Skills Academy

Overview

Supports the establishment of a European Nuclear Skills Academy to address critical skills shortages in the nuclear sector, including vocational, academic, and regulatory training. Targets consortia of industry, academia, research organizations, and regulatory bodies to standardize curricula, enable cross-border recognition of qualifications, and prepare for emerging technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

Who Can Apply

Consortia comprising industry, research and training organizations, academia, human resources professionals, and regulatory bodies. Participation of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) is permitted. Eligible applicants must be based in EU Member States, associated countries (Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, United Kingdom), or other eligible non-Euratom countries as specified.

Funding Details

Maximum grant amount: 1,600,000 EUR.

What Is Funded

• Design and implementation of a European Nuclear Skills Academy, unifying strategic direction and standardizing curricula across qualification levels (EQF 3–8).
• Development of targeted training programs for critical areas, including SMRs, advanced reactors, and regulatory safety assessments.
• Complementary mobility schemes for critical professions, tailored to industry and regulatory needs.
• Creation of a unified EU framework for validating and certifying nuclear skills to facilitate cross-border workforce mobility.
• Synergies with existing EU skills initiatives and avoidance of duplication with ongoing regulatory training programs.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

Projects must demonstrate technological readiness at TRL 7–9.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2026-03-09
• Deadline: 2026-09-14T22:00:00Z

Application Process (High-Level)

Single-stage application process via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Full proposals must adhere to a 30-page limit for Coordination and Support Actions (CSA).

Post-Award Obligations

Not explicitly stated.

Geographic Scope & Language

Eligible countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, United Kingdom, Switzerland. Application language: English.

Notes

• Proposals must align with outcomes of HORIZON-EURATOM-2024-NRT-01-02 and contribute to the EU’s strategic leadership in nuclear safety.
• Consortia are encouraged to leverage JRC services and facilities.
• Proposals must avoid hyperlinks or external references that circumvent page limits.