Mission

For the continued improvement of the safety of current and future nuclear facilities, accurate and precise nuclear data are required as part of detailed nuclear models embedded in computer simulations. Producing these nuclear data is a complex and lengthy process, which relies on neutron facilities and on highly-trained nuclear physicists.

A general challenge for nuclear energy is to make sure that a new generation of young physicists is properly trained. In order to foster the seamless transfer of knowledge to this younger generation, including in countries with less advanced nuclear programs, the most modern and state-of-the-art European neutron beam facilities based on accelerators and research reactors will unite in this project, forming an exceptional training ground where interested early-stage researchers (both before and after their PhD) and technicians can work on the most challenging problems together with international experts.

Experimental work in international teams at these facilities will be the most effective training and competence building tool.The project will provide at least 3000 additional beam time hours for external users groups at the neutron facilities of the consortium. Up to 90 early stage researchers and technicians will be able to receive full mobility and logistical support to participate in these experiments at 23 different accelerator or reactor-based neutron facilities. The training of early stage researchers in the field of nuclear physics and nuclear engineering will be complemented by up to 30 research stays of up to 12 weeks duration for extended work at the participating facilities. These activities, which will also be opened to senior scientists and to technical and professional staff, will help foster the transfer of knowledge that started in earlier EURATOM work programmes, e.g. within CHANDA, or ERINDA.

The scientific proposals for experiments and training of early-stage researchers will be selected by a Project Advisory Committee consisting of high-level experts, based on scientific excellence and relevance to improve nuclear safety and support of nuclear data needs as collected by IAEA and NEA. In order to increase the visibility and attractiveness at the university level, four summer schools with about 80 participants in total shall be organized during the project, targeting a wide spectrum of students with physics and engineering backgrounds.