Agroecological transition – Challenges and prospects for agricultural machinery manufacturers, seed companies and agrochemicals firms
Civil nuclear energy is emerging more than ever as a strategic lever for the European Union’s energy security, technological sovereignty, and industrial competitiveness. In the face of geopolitical tensions, climate goals, and growing demand for low-carbon electricity, the Euratom research and training program is strengthening European support for the most transformative projects in the areas of safety, radiation protection, waste management, and fusion development.
For more than sixty years, the Euratom program has supported the building of a Europe of knowledge in the field of civil nuclear energy.
Through the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC, known as the “Euratom Community” or “Euratom”), established by the Treaty of Rome in 1957, the Member States of the European Union sought to create a common framework for developing, securing, and promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Today, the Euratom research and training program is one of the pillars of European policy on energy security, scientific research, and the development of nuclear expertise. Integrated into the Horizon Europe Framework Program, it supports high-value-added projects in the fields of fusion, nuclear fission, small modular reactors (SMRs), safety, radiation protection, and radioactive waste management.
The 2026–2027 work program, covering the period 2026–2027, is set to be published shortly. This new work program builds on the 2021–2025 program while taking into account current energy, industrial, and geopolitical challenges. It reaffirms the role of civil nuclear energy in the European Union’s energy security and strategic sovereignty and represents a major opportunity for European public funding for industrial, academic, and institutional actors engaged in nuclear research and innovation.
Euratom is a funding instrument specifically dedicated to civil nuclear research and innovation. It complements Horizon Europe by focusing exclusively on nuclear activities. In accordance with the Euratom Treaty, its initial duration is five years, and it is renewed for two years following its first five years, so that its duration aligns with that of Horizon Europe.
For the 2021–2025 period, the program has a budget of €1.38 billion, covering direct actions (via the Commission’s Joint Research Centre) and indirect actions (multi-partner collaborative projects).
This program was designed from the outset to be extended by two years, so as to cover the entire 2021–2027 multiannual financial framework and remain aligned with Horizon Europe.
The 2026–2027 extension follows this logic: it extends the existing structure, priorities, and rules, while adjusting resources to account for changes in the nuclear landscape (SMRs, fusion, waste management, safety, radiation protection).
The treaty is based on the following principles:
The program pursues three priority areas: nuclear fusion, nuclear fission, and training/skills.
The objective is to promote the development of fusion energy as a potential future energy source for electricity generation and to contribute to the implementation of the European roadmap.
Nuclear fission remains the primary source of nuclear energy today. Euratom is therefore investing heavily to improve and support nuclear safety, security, and safeguards; radiation protection; the safe management of spent fuel and radioactive waste; and decommissioning, including the safety and security of nuclear energy use and applications of ionizing radiation other than electricity generation.
Maintaining a European ecosystem of nuclear expertise is a major challenge for long-term safety and industrial competitiveness. Euratom funds training, mobility, and skills-building initiatives, as well as access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure for scientists, engineers, and nuclear experts.
The 2026–2027 work program builds on the previous one while incorporating European priorities regarding energy transition and technological sovereignty.
The program is based on two complementary types of actions:
The overall financial framework for 2021–2027 is set at 1.982 billion euros, of which 1.38 billion is for the 2021–2025 period and 598 million euros for the 2026–2027 extension. This budgetary stability, against a backdrop of severe constraints on public finances, demonstrates the political will to keep civil nuclear energy at the heart of the European energy mix and safety research.
For the 2026–2027 period, the indicative budget breakdown is as follows:
This balanced allocation supports both exploratory fusion research, the operational safety of conventional nuclear power, and the JRC’s policy and regulatory activities in support of the European Commission.
The 2026–2027 program primarily funds research, innovation, and training projects that contribute to the following objectives:
To learn more about the calls for proposals under the 2026–2027 work program:
The program is open to a wide range of stakeholders:
Funded projects are most often collaborative and transnational. The conditions for participation are aligned with those of Horizon Europe, including:
The program offers attractive funding terms, similar to those of Horizon Europe:
These features make this program a tool particularly well-suited to complex, long-term, and high-risk projects that are difficult to finance through purely private mechanisms.
Planning ahead for this timeline allows for the organization of consortium formation, the definition of objectives, the drafting of proposals, and the internal validation of financial and technical commitments.
The publication of the 2026–2027 work program opens a window of opportunity for all civil nuclear stakeholders seeking to strengthen their position in European research and innovation. Anticipating calls for proposals, structuring your project ideas, and mobilizing your partners is essential for submitting competitive proposals in a highly demanding selection process.
ABGi helps you:
Ready to explore the 2026–2027 opportunities for your organization? Schedule a meeting with an ABGi expert to receive a personalized assessment of your projects and your chances of success in upcoming calls for proposals.
With proven experience in European public funding schemes, including complex technical programs, ABGi France helps you turn a Euratom opportunity into a structured, funded project aligned with your development goals.
Agroecological transition – Challenges and prospects for agricultural machinery manufacturers, seed companies and agrochemicals firms
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