IAEA's subprogramme on research reactors: technology and non-proliferation

For nuclear research and technology development to continue to advance, research reactors (RRs) must be safely and reliably operated, adequately utilized, refurbished when necessary, provided with adequate proliferation-resistant fuel cycle services and safely decommissioned at the end of life. The IAEA has established its competence in the area of RRs with a long history of assistance to Member States in improving their utilization, by taking the lead in the development of norms and codes of good practice for all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle and in the planning and implementation of decommissioning. The IAEA Subprogramme on RRs is formulated to cover a broad range of RR issues and to promote the continued development of scientific research and technological development using RRs. Member States look to the IAEA for coordination of the worldwide effort in this area and for help in solving specific problems. The IAEA coordinates and implements an array of activities that together provide broad support for RRs. As with other aspects of nuclear technology, RR activities within the IAEA are spread through diverse groups in different Departments. To ensure a common approach a Cross-Cutting Coordination Group on Research Reactors (CCCGRR) has been established, with representatives from all departments actively supporting RR activities. Utilization and application activities are generally lead from within the Department of Nuclear Applications (NA). With respect to RRs, NA is primarily carrying out IAEA activities to assist and advise Member States in assessing their needs for research and development in the nuclear sciences, as well in supporting their activities in specific fields. Safety and Security aspects of RRs are handled by the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security (NS). The technological, fuel cycle and operational aspects of RR management are supported by the Department of Nuclear Energy (NE). NE is primarily working to support RR organizations in their pursuit of often diverse strategic objectives within the context of modern RR operational constraints. Today RR operating organizations must overcome challenges such as the ongoing management of ageing facilities, pressures for increase vigilance with respect to non proliferation, and shrinking resources (financial as well as human) while fulfilling an expanding role in support of nuclear technology development. In addition, the Department of Nuclear Safeguards is responsible for the control of the fissile material for RR and the Department of Technical Cooperation (TC) supports RR activities for the principal benefit of RRs in developing countries. TC is subsequently supported by NA, NS, and NE who assist in the development and implementation of relevant TC projects within their specific fields of expertise. The Subprogramme on RRs is under IAEA's Programme D on Nuclear Science. Implementation of the IAEA Subprogramme on RRs (IAEA code D.2) is shared between NE and NA while separate subprogrammes, managed by NS, deal with RR safety and security. In this paper, only the activities managed by NE and NA under the subprogramme on RRs are presented, including a complete description of the ongoing projects and planned activities for the years 2008-2009. Special emphasis is put on new international collaborative undertakings, like the IAEA's Technical Working Group on RRs. (author)