In accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1314/2013, the Commission presented a report on the interim evaluation of the research and training programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2014-2018).

Direct and indirect actions are the subject of separate evaluations. For this reason, two Commission groups of independent experts (CEG), one for indirect and another for direct actions, were set up in 2016. They submitted their reports to the Commission in May 2017. The present Commission report sets out the findings and recommendations of these groups and the Commission’s observations.

The interim evaluation concluded that the Euratom programme is highly relevant across the full scope of activities , including nuclear safety, security and safeguards, radioactive waste management, radiation protection and fusion energy. Action at EU level continues to be instrumental in addressing challenges faced by all Member States in these areas.

The Euratom programme ensures that public financing is used in an optimal manner by avoiding unnecessary duplication while providing the required EU-added value , economies of scale, coordination and harmonisation. In this respect, the Euratom programme remains a key part of the European nuclear research landscape.

The Euratom programme enables a Europe-wide approach to improving nuclear safety and radiation protection in all areas of application, which complements implementation of the Euratom Directives on nuclear safety, radioactive waste management and basic safety standards. Possible areas of improvement include the need to exploit synergies with other thematic areas of Horizon 2020 in order to address cross-cutting aspects such as health and energy systems. The Commission also notes the need to seek synergies in application of some Horizon 2020 instruments in nuclear field.

A key part of the added value of indirect actions is the Euratom’s ability to mobilise a wider pool of excellence, expertise and multi-disciplinarity in nuclear research, than is possible at the level of individual Member States.

This is demonstrated by a diverse portfolio of 22 projects launched in 2014-2017 addressing important aspects of nuclear safety (for example accident tolerant fuels, core monitoring techniques, assessment of structural integrity of NPP elements, ageing management etc.) as well the launch of the European Joint Programmes in fusion and radiation protection research.

Given the research results achieved so far there is no need to revise the current programme’s activities or mode of implementation for the two years 2019-2020 during which the programme is extended.

Therefore, the Commission proposal for a Council Regulation which will extend the Euratom research and training programme to 2019-2020, adopted together with this report, is continuing with the same scope and objectives as in the current Euratom programme (2014-2018).

PURPOSE: to establish the Euratom Research and Training Programme for the period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2018, complementing the Horizon 2020 – The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: 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.

CONTENT: this Regulation establishes the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for the period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2018 (the 'Euratom Programme'). It lays down the rules for participation in that Programme, including the 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 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.

1) The Euratom Programme indirect actions shall have the following specific objectives:

supporting safety of nuclear systems; 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; supporting the development and sustainability of nuclear expertise and excellence in the Union; supporting radiation protection and development of medical applications of radiation, including, inter alia, the secure and safe supply and use of radioisotopes; moving towards demonstration of feasibility of fusion as a power source by exploiting existing and future fusion facilities; laying the foundations for future fusion power plants by developing materials, technologies and conceptual design; promoting innovation and industrial competitiveness; ensuring availability and use of research infrastructures of pan-European relevance.

2) The Euratom Programme direct actions shall have the following specific objectives:

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.

Budget : the financial envelope for the implementation of the Euratom Programme shall be EUR 1 603 329 000 . That amount shall be distributed as follows:

indirect actions for the fusion research and development programme: EUR 728 232 000; indirect actions for nuclear fission, safety and radiation protection : EUR 315 535 000; direct actions : EUR 559 562 000.

For the implementation of indirect actions of the Euratom Programme, the Commission's administrative expenditure shall reach up to 7 % on average during the duration of the Euratom Programme and no more than 6 % in 2018.

Management and forms of support : the Euratom 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.

The participation of any legal entity in indirect actions undertaken under the Euratom Programme shall be governed by the rules laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

The Euratom Programme shall ensure the effective promotion of gender equality and the gender dimension in research and innovation content. All the research and innovation activities carried out under the Programme shall comply with ethical principles.

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 Euratom Programme.

Lastly, entities established in third countries and international organisations shall be eligible to participate in indirect actions of the Euratom Programme under certain conditions. Reciprocal access to third country programmes should be encouraged.

Evaluation : by 31 May 2017, the Commission shall carry out, with the assistance of independent experts, an interim evaluation of the Euratom Programme. By 31 December 2022, the Commission shall carry out an ex-post evaluation of the Euratom Programme.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 23.12.2013.

The European Parliament adopted by 549 votes to 90 with 35 abstentions, in the framework of a special legislative procedure (consultation of Parliament), a legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council regulation on the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2014-2018) complementing Horizon 2020 – The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

Parliament approved the Commission proposal but made the following amendments:

Programme objectives : Parliament considered that Euroatom should also have as a general objective the improvement of radiation protection , and contribution to other areas of research related to nuclear research such as medical research and to guarantee the long-term future of European nuclear research.

Indirect actions should aim for, amongst other things, the following objectives:

support safe operation of all existing and future civilian nuclear systems; support the measures necessary to ensure suitably trained human resources ; seek to maintain the highest level of working conditions for those working directly with nuclear materials; contribute to the R&D agenda resulting from the recommendations listed in the conclusions of the Union stress-tests (e.g. seismic modelling, core melt behaviour,...); support the long-term sustainability of nuclear fission through improvements in the field of reactor time extension or in the design of new reactor types; promote innovation and European industrial leadership in fission and fusion; promote the development, of new research infrastructures of pan-European relevance .

2) The programmes’ direct actions should aim at the following:

improve working conditions for those working directly with nuclear materials and dealing with the direct consequences of nuclear safety incidents , however unlikely they may be; increase the uptake of nuclear research among European scientists as well as attracting those from outside the Union; work towards the development of internationally recognised standards of nuclear safety for fission reactors; address any skills shortage in relation to nuclear expertise and prevent any future skills leakage or 'brain drain' of nuclear scientists from the Union; complement all required safety improvements suggested following the results of the stress tests carried out on all nuclear reactors in the Union and third countries that border the Union ; support the simplification agenda of Horizon 2020, reducing the administrative burdens of previous framework programmes, in particular on SMEs, universities and smaller research institutes.

Support the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (the "SET-Plan"): the Euratom Programme shall contribute to implementing the SET-plan. Its indirect and direct actions shall be aligned with the Strategic Research Agenda of the three existing European technology platforms on nuclear energy: these being the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP), the Implementing Geological Disposal Technology Platform (IGDTP) and the Multidisciplinary European Low Dose Initiative (MELODI).

Budget: within the meaning of the Interinstitutional Agreement on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, the financial envelope for the implementation of the Euratom Programme shall be EUR 1 603,329 million . That amount shall constitute the prime during the annual budgetary procedure. It shall be distributed as follows:

indirect actions for the fusion research and development programme: EUR 636,095 million; indirect actions for nuclear fission, safety and radiation protection: EUR 318,048 million; direct actions: EUR 649,186 million .

Parliament considered the administrative expenses forecast by the Commission to be too high (13.5%) and proposed to bring them down to 7%.

Members required the ITER project to be included within the Euratom Programme and funded from within the MFF in a complete and transparent way.

Furthermore, they recommended working towards the wider and more frequent use of structural funds for nuclear research.

Broaden SME participation : Members wanted the Eureka Eurostars Programme and the Marie Curie Actions to widen their rules of participation to allow SMEs involved in nuclear research to participate. The attempts at increased simplification in terms of participation shall be communicated to all participants, including SMEs and academic institutions.

International cooperation : in this area, the resolution called for support for all international efforts to: (i) combat all forms of nuclear proliferation and trafficking ; (ii) developing common international safety standards; (iii) contribute to the improvement of knowledge exchange. Particular attention shall be paid to all reactors and nuclear installations located in third countries but which are geographically very close to Member State territory, especially when such reactors and installations are located close to hazardous geographical or geological locations.

Evaluations : stressing that the Euratom Programme should favour an informed engagement of European citizens, Members asked for Member States to provide the European Parliament as well as the Commission with data and information necessary for the monitoring and evaluation of the measures concerned.

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted the report by Peter SKINNER (S&D, UK) on the proposal for a Council Regulation on the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2014-2018) complementing Horizon 2020 – The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

The parliamentary committee suggests amending the Commission’s proposal as follows:

Objectives of the programme: Members consider that the Euratom programme should also have as its general objective the contribution to other areas of research related to nuclear research such as medical research and the guaranteeing of the long-term future of European nuclear research .

1. Indirect actions of the Euratom programme should, among other things, focus on the following specific objectives:

support safe operation of all existing and future civilian nuclear systems; support the measures necessary to ensure suitably trained human resources ; seek to maintain the highest level of working conditions for those working directly with nuclear materials; support the long-term sustainability of nuclear fission through improvements in the field of reactor time extension or in the design of new reactor types; promote innovation and European industrial leadership in fission and fusion; promote the development, of new research infrastructures of pan-European relevance.

2. Direct actions of the programme should focus on:

improve nuclear safety working conditions for those working directly with nuclear materials and dealing with the direct consequences of nuclear safety incidents, however unlikely they may be; increase the uptake of nuclear research among European scientists as well as attracting those from outside the Union ; work towards the development of internationally recognised standards of nuclear safety for fission reactors; address any skills shortage with relation to nuclear expertise and prevent any future skills leakage or ' brain drain ' of nuclear scientists from the Union; complement all required safety improvements suggested following the results of the stress tests carried out on all nuclear reactors in the Union and third countries that border the Union; support the simplification agenda of Horizon 2020, reducing the administrative burdens of previous frameworks, in particular on SMEs , universities and smaller research institutes.

Support the strategic plan for energy technologies (SET Plan): the Euratom Programme shall contribute to implementing the SET-plan. Its indirect and direct actions shall be aligned with the Strategic Research Agenda of the three existing European technology platforms on nuclear energy: SNETP, IGDTP and MELODI.

Budget: in accordance with the overall approach adopted by Parliament on the negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020, Members refrained from making specific suggestions concerning the amount of budget for the programme. However, they consider that funding for Euratom, whether for fusion or fission, has been notoriously inadequate . Furthermore, they consider that the administrative expenditure proposed by the Commission (13.5%) is too high and propose that it be reduced to 7% .

Members call for the ITER project to be funded from within the MFF so as to prevent any perception of disengagement from the project, which could be seen as harmful to the Community's interest. They also call for the wider and more frequent use of structural funds for nuclear research .

Greater participation of SMEs: SMEs are vital to Europe's economy but are often under-represented when it comes to nuclear research. This is why Members consider that the Eureka Eurostars Programme and the Marie Curie Actions should widen their rules of participation to allow SMEs involved in nuclear research to participate. The attempts at increased simplification in terms of participation shall be communicated to all participants, including SMEs and academic institutions.

International cooperation: in this field, Members call for support for all international attempts to (i) combat nuclear proliferation and trafficking ; (ii) develop common international safety standards; and (iii) contribute to the improvement of knowledge exchange. Particular attention shall be paid to all reactors and nuclear installations located in third countries but which are geographically very close to Member State territory .

Evaluation: the report calls for Member States to provide the Commission but also the European Parliament with data and information necessary for the monitoring and evaluation of the measures concerned.

PURPOSE: to establish the Euratom Research and Training Programme for the period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2018, complementing the Horizon 2020 – The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Regulation.

BACKGROUND: designed to support the Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative "Innovation Union", the basic principle of "Horizon 2020" is to adopt a much more strategic approach to research and innovation. All policy instruments and measures are designed to contribute to research and innovation and to develop further the European Research Area whereby knowledge, researchers and technology circulate freely, and to accelerate the commercialisation and diffusion of innovation across the Single Market.

The set consists of the proposals for:

· a Framework Programme for Horizon 2020;

· a single set of Rules for Participation and Dissemination ;

· a single specific programme to implement Horizon 2020;

· a single proposal for the parts of Horizon 2020 corresponding to the Euratom Treaty.

Horizon 2020 will bring together all existing EU research and innovation funding currently provided through the Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP), the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The different types of funding provided by the existing programmes will be brought together into a single coherent, flexible framework, which will run from 2014 to 2020. It will provide funding for every stage of the innovation process from basic research to market uptake, in line with the EU's commitments under the "Innovation Union".

This proposal takes the form of a single regulation and the new approach is in contrast with the previous programming periods, where the content of the present Regulation used to be covered by four different legislative acts.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: the proposal relies on an in-depth impact assessment, drawing on stakeholder consultations and internal and external evaluations. The assessment found that the challenges of nuclear safety and diminishing nuclear skills in Europe can be tackled effectively by exploiting synergies between the research efforts of Member States and the private sector, and between scientific disciplines and technological sectors. Action at Union-level can 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 to best effect. An Union-level programme can also undertake the high risk and long-term R&D programme in fusion energy, thereby sharing the risk and generating a breadth of scope and economies of scale that could not otherwise be achieved.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 7 of the Euratom Treaty.

CONTENT: this proposal is an integral part of Horizon 2020. It determines the overall budget for direct and indirect actions, sets the objectives of R&D activities and specifies the instruments for supporting them.

The Euratom Programme (2014-2018) is implemented through a single Regulation, laying down all the necessary provisions for the implementation of nuclear research activities. The Euratom Programme concerns research activities in nuclear energy (fusion and fission) and radiation protection.

The proposal takes the form of a single Regulation covering all relevant aspects for the implementation of research activities in the above fields, setting the scientific and technological objectives and laying down appropriate rules for the participation of research organisations, universities and industry. It will cover the fusion energy research and development programme, the fission and radiation protection research activities, and the JRC direct actions in nuclear security and safety.

The proposal will therefore ensure that Union-funded research and training activities in nuclear science and technology are continued over the years 2014-18, thereby maintaining the effective and efficient programmes that currently catalyse and coordinate activities in Member States, in order to maximise Union added value.

By supporting the above priorities, the Euratom Programme (2014-2018) will contribute to the three strategic objectives outlined in the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, namely: excellent science, industrial leadership and societal challenges. Accordingly, appropriate links and interfaces between the Euratom Programme and the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme will be maintained.

General objective : this is to improve nuclear safety, security and radiation protection, and to 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 below.

Specific objectives of indirect actions : these are

· support safe operation of nuclear systems;

· contribute to the development of solutions for the management of ultimate nuclear waste;

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

· foster radiation protection;

· move toward demonstration of feasibility of fusion as a power source by exploiting existing and future fusion facilities;

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

· promote innovation and industrial competitiveness;

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

Specific objectives for direct actions : these are:

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

· improve nuclear security including: nuclear safeguards, non-proliferation, combating illicit trafficking and nuclear forensics;

· raising excellence in the nuclear science base for standardisation;

· foster knowledge management, education and training;

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

Within these specific objectives, account may be taken of new and unforeseen needs that arise during the period of implementation of the Euratom Programme, including responses to emerging opportunities, crises and threats, to needs relating to the development of new Union policies, and to the steering of actions envisaged for support under future programmes.

The Regulation also addresses the objective of simplification by referring to the same participant guarantee fund as in the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme.

Lastly, the Euratom Programme (2014-2018) puts forward a major simplification of funding rules as well as a revised control strategy , thereby supporting the overall simplification objective.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the financial envelope for the implementation of the Euratom Programme shall be EUR 1 788.889 million. That amount shall be distributed as follows:

indirect actions for the fusion research and development programme, EUR 709.713 million; indirect actions for nuclear fission, safety and radiation protection, EUR 354.857 million; direct actions, EUR 724.319 million.

For the implementation of indirect actions of the Euratom Programme, no more than 13.5 % shall be for the Commission’s administrative expenditure.

PURPOSE: to establish the Euratom Research and Training Programme for the period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2018, complementing the Horizon 2020 – The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Regulation.

BACKGROUND: designed to support the Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative "Innovation Union", the basic principle of "Horizon 2020" is to adopt a much more strategic approach to research and innovation. All policy instruments and measures are designed to contribute to research and innovation and to develop further the European Research Area whereby knowledge, researchers and technology circulate freely, and to accelerate the commercialisation and diffusion of innovation across the Single Market.

The set consists of the proposals for:

· a Framework Programme for Horizon 2020;

· a single set of Rules for Participation and Dissemination ;

· a single specific programme to implement Horizon 2020;

· a single proposal for the parts of Horizon 2020 corresponding to the Euratom Treaty.

Horizon 2020 will bring together all existing EU research and innovation funding currently provided through the Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP), the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The different types of funding provided by the existing programmes will be brought together into a single coherent, flexible framework, which will run from 2014 to 2020. It will provide funding for every stage of the innovation process from basic research to market uptake, in line with the EU's commitments under the "Innovation Union".

This proposal takes the form of a single regulation and the new approach is in contrast with the previous programming periods, where the content of the present Regulation used to be covered by four different legislative acts.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: the proposal relies on an in-depth impact assessment, drawing on stakeholder consultations and internal and external evaluations. The assessment found that the challenges of nuclear safety and diminishing nuclear skills in Europe can be tackled effectively by exploiting synergies between the research efforts of Member States and the private sector, and between scientific disciplines and technological sectors. Action at Union-level can 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 to best effect. An Union-level programme can also undertake the high risk and long-term R&D programme in fusion energy, thereby sharing the risk and generating a breadth of scope and economies of scale that could not otherwise be achieved.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 7 of the Euratom Treaty.

CONTENT: this proposal is an integral part of Horizon 2020. It determines the overall budget for direct and indirect actions, sets the objectives of R&D activities and specifies the instruments for supporting them.

The Euratom Programme (2014-2018) is implemented through a single Regulation, laying down all the necessary provisions for the implementation of nuclear research activities. The Euratom Programme concerns research activities in nuclear energy (fusion and fission) and radiation protection.

The proposal takes the form of a single Regulation covering all relevant aspects for the implementation of research activities in the above fields, setting the scientific and technological objectives and laying down appropriate rules for the participation of research organisations, universities and industry. It will cover the fusion energy research and development programme, the fission and radiation protection research activities, and the JRC direct actions in nuclear security and safety.

The proposal will therefore ensure that Union-funded research and training activities in nuclear science and technology are continued over the years 2014-18, thereby maintaining the effective and efficient programmes that currently catalyse and coordinate activities in Member States, in order to maximise Union added value.

By supporting the above priorities, the Euratom Programme (2014-2018) will contribute to the three strategic objectives outlined in the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, namely: excellent science, industrial leadership and societal challenges. Accordingly, appropriate links and interfaces between the Euratom Programme and the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme will be maintained.

General objective : this is to improve nuclear safety, security and radiation protection, and to 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 below.

Specific objectives of indirect actions : these are

· support safe operation of nuclear systems;

· contribute to the development of solutions for the management of ultimate nuclear waste;

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

· foster radiation protection;

· move toward demonstration of feasibility of fusion as a power source by exploiting existing and future fusion facilities;

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

· promote innovation and industrial competitiveness;

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

Specific objectives for direct actions : these are:

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

· improve nuclear security including: nuclear safeguards, non-proliferation, combating illicit trafficking and nuclear forensics;

· raising excellence in the nuclear science base for standardisation;

· foster knowledge management, education and training;

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

Within these specific objectives, account may be taken of new and unforeseen needs that arise during the period of implementation of the Euratom Programme, including responses to emerging opportunities, crises and threats, to needs relating to the development of new Union policies, and to the steering of actions envisaged for support under future programmes.

The Regulation also addresses the objective of simplification by referring to the same participant guarantee fund as in the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme.

Lastly, the Euratom Programme (2014-2018) puts forward a major simplification of funding rules as well as a revised control strategy , thereby supporting the overall simplification objective.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the financial envelope for the implementation of the Euratom Programme shall be EUR 1 788.889 million. That amount shall be distributed as follows:

indirect actions for the fusion research and development programme, EUR 709.713 million; indirect actions for nuclear fission, safety and radiation protection, EUR 354.857 million; direct actions, EUR 724.319 million.

For the implementation of indirect actions of the Euratom Programme, no more than 13.5 % shall be for the Commission’s administrative expenditure.