We need nuclear safety and radiation research even after nuclear phase-out. If used properly, for example in cancer treatment or medical diagnosis, radiation can improve many people’s lives.

Dedicated research is also still needed for risk assessment and radiation protection, for example in air travel or for medical staff. Furthermore, provision must be made for the safe disposal of nuclear waste.

Maintenance of expertise despite nuclear phase-out

For decades, nuclear safety and radiation research in Germany played a pioneering role internationally. From the 1990s onwards, research funding for this area decreased, and it was sometimes difficult to fill professorial vacancies. Yet, despite nuclear phase-out, Germany still needs experts who monitor international developments and are able to respond to an emergency. To counteract the loss of expertise, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) developed a nuclear safety and radiation research programme in 2008.

By mid 2024, roughly 340 research projects have received BMBF funding amounting to approximately 240 million euros. This funding measure has helped more than 320 young doctoral or post-doctoral researchers to familiarize themselves with the important field of nuclear safety and radiation research. Fostering young research talent continues to be the BMBF’s main objective.

KERNthemen

An event entitled KERNthemen was launched in 2023 to be held at two-year intervals and address topics of nuclear safety and radiation research. This BMBF event enables interdisciplinary discourse as it brings together stakeholders in ongoing projects, early-career researchers and interested members of the scientific community.

What is radiation research?

Radiation research covers a broad thematic range from radioecology and radiation physics to radiobiology and radiation epidemiology. It addresses topics of great societal and scientific relevance that urgently need to be explored. For example, the demand for scientific findings on medical applications of radiation and for qualified staff is still growing.

What is reactor safety research?

As a result of Germany’s approach to nuclear phase-out, the focus is on maintaining expertise and protecting against radiation in the dismantling of nuclear installations as well as on monitoring international developments. This is necessary to ensure that well-trained experts in Germany can provide advice in cases of emergency. For example, the BMBF supports projects working with simulations and modelling.

Further research topics may refer to the following fields:

• Safety aspects in the post-operational phase and during the decommissioning of nuclear power plants
• Safety policy and consideration of possible accidents or impacts
• Monitoring of nuclear material, and
• Innovative materials, manufacturing and testing methods.

In particular, the aim should be to apply new knowledge-based decision-making systems and artificial intelligence in research and to provide for their reasonable use in various different technologies.

What is nuclear waste management research?

Spent fuel elements from nuclear power generation still contain radioactive material. Beside plutonium and uranium, they can contain transuranic elements and various fission products. Current efforts in Germany target final disposal with the aim of preventing the discharge of radioactive compounds into the biosphere in order to protect people and the environment. The BMBF is funding research for the treatment of radioactive waste. Funding is provided for work on the long-term safety of container materials, measuring techniques for characterizing radioactive waste, modelling of geochemical processes, the use of artificial intelligence, and innovative waste treatment and conditioning, primarily with the aim of reducing the radioactive load.

Editorial deadline for this text: 01.11.2024