Go4Fusion and Skills4Nuclear: boosting fusion energy research and nuclear skills by 2028

Two new Euratom projects will further tighten cooperation between science and industry, reflecting EU policies on competitiveness, security and sustainability, as well as the recent European Commission’s Communication on a Clean Industrial Deal.

The Communication is notably referring to a European partnership on fusion to accelerate the commercialisation of this clean and abundant energy source within the EU. 

GO4Fusion, launched in February 2025, will consolidate a European fusion ecosystem spanning the whole value chain and pave the way for an EU public-private partnership (PPP) on fusion energy. By bringing together nine partners representing key nuclear research centres and industry leaders, GO4Fusion will help set up a European fusion industry platform and a strategic research and innovation agenda (SRIA) for fusion energy. The initiative will contribute to maintain and develop the EU’s expertise and industrial capacity in fusion energy and speed up its introduction to the market.

The Clean Industrial Deal also mentions support to the development and deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) in Europe and efforts on skills.

Skills4Nuclear addresses shortages in nuclear skills for current and future technologies, such as SMRs and fusion energy. Starting mid-March, the initiative gathers 19 European partners: universities, research centres, nuclear and other industrial sectors, as well as education and human resources specialists. One of the objectives of Skills4Nuclear is to lay the groundwork for a nuclear skills strategy for Europe. It aims at promoting cross-sector collaboration and mobility, including upskilling and reskilling. Additionally, it seeks to improve diversity and digitalisation in the sector. Skills4Nuclear complements the existing efforts carried out under the Euratom Research and Training Programme to support nuclear education and ease access to nuclear research infrastructures with projects such as ENEN2Plus and OFFER.

GO4Fusion and Skills4Nuclear are planned to last three years. 

Background

The Euratom Research and Training Programme (2021-2025) is the EU nuclear research and training programme with an emphasis on the continuous improvement of nuclear safety, fusion and fission research, radioactive waste management and geological disposal. It also focuses on radiation protection, ensuring open access to infrastructures, education and training, and international cooperation. It supports the energy transition objectives of Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme, as well as the implementation of the European fusion and fission roadmaps.