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Karlsruhe sets a milestone: New cooperation for nuclear safety!
The cooperation between KIT and JRC in Karlsruhe strengthens nuclear safety in Europe through research, training and innovation.
Karlsruhe sets a milestone: New cooperation for nuclear safety!
On July 16, 2025, a groundbreaking cooperation agreement was signed between the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Joint Research Center (JRC) of the European Commission. This agreement is intended to deepen cooperation in the areas of nuclear safety, security and security monitoring and aims to benefit the public from the results of joint research.
The JRC in Karlsruhe, a main center of the European Commission for research in the field of nuclear safety, is located on the KIT North Campus in Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, about 12 kilometers north of Karlsruhe. The JRC employs around 250 people and currently focuses on scientific analysis and development of effective safety standards in the nuclear sector. This is done through independent scientific and technical evidence supporting European nuclear policy.
Deepening cooperation in nuclear research
The new cooperation agreement stipulates that KIT and JRC promote the exchange of researchers and students and share core research infrastructures. Professor Jan S. Hesthaven, President of KIT, emphasizes the relevance of nuclear technology, especially for materials research, healthcare and the energy sector. This cooperation will also strengthen the training of young researchers in the nuclear field and include numerous joint seminars and publications to promote scientific advances.
In addition, the aim is to expand the understanding of actinide chemistry. The collaboration aims to develop innovative strategies for the decommissioning and dismantling of nuclear facilities and to improve international nuclear safety monitoring. This also includes expanding skills to assess reactor safety, particularly with regard to the rise of small modular reactors (SMRs).
Nuclear security in Europe
The importance of nuclear safety extends beyond national borders. Current reports emphasize that possible nuclear accidents know no borders and that the safety of facilities near the border is of particular interest to Germany. Close coordination with neighboring states and international partners is therefore necessary. This includes exchanging information about the condition of nuclear facilities to support compliance with safety standards.
As an EU member state, Germany is bound by the Euratom guidelines, which set binding minimum standards for nuclear safety and safe disposal. In addition, the country has obligations under international agreements and is required to submit regular reports on the implementation of these policies. This reporting is particularly important with regard to the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and the environmental impact assessment (EIA), which serve as cooperation tools at European level.
In summary, everything indicates that the partnership between the KIT and the JRC not only contributes to ensuring high safety standards in the nuclear sector, but also decisively supports Europe's innovative strength and scientific sovereignty in this critical area.