Project results are expected to contribute to some of the following outcomes:

• Demonstration of concepts and applications of nuclear and radiation technologies going beyond their traditional areas of implementation and exploring their market potential
• Demonstration of application of innovative technologies available from non-nuclear sectors for improving nuclear safety and safe applications of ionising radiation
• Demonstration of an added value to cross-sectoral products, standards and/or services in which ionising-radiation technologies are embedded.

‘Innovation beyond technology’ refers to a technology expertise, know-how or facilities developed for one sector (e.g. aerospace, aviation, telecoms or the automotive or nuclear industries) which can be used in a totally different area. It opens the way for transferring new or disruptive technologies to spin-offs, industry and the marketplace, to transform Europe’s capability for innovation in specific areas and to help capture and drive future economic growth.

Nuclear and radiation technologies are present in a wide variety of applications in industry, research, health, food and agriculture, environment, security, space and cultural heritage. Ionising radiation (IR) is used in many domains like sterilisation, manufacturing, non-destructive testing and detection and environmental applications. Objectives of Horizon Europe should be reflected in this action.

IR can modify the physical, chemical and biological properties of materials on an industrial scale. The industrial use of isotopes and radiation is of great importance for the development and improvement of processes, measuring, automation and quality control. Besides, the applications of nuclear technology could extend beyond our planet: European space exploration will be extremely difficult without radio-thermal generators and dynamic isotope power systems. Deep-space probes are impossible without radioisotopes and safety in the use of radio-sources for space exploration has to be considered.

Further development of IR applications is essential for the benefit of EU citizens and a competitive industry in Europe if combined with newly emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, big data or metamaterials or industrial processes for production of low‑carbon energy carriers, thereby creating new markets and jobs opportunities in Europe. This action is expected to stimulate innovation and promote a robust, world-leading nuclear technologies sector based on EU safety culture and know-how.

Exploiting the innovation potential in European and international industrial and academic communities will only be achieved by being a focal point where small and medium enterprises, large industry and end-users can work together with researchers to understand societal needs and the challenges of societal acceptability, address barriers, explore and develop new ideas and bring these to commercial reality.

This action should aim at ‘open innovation’ involving a broad spectrum of actors from research and academic communities, industry, entrepreneurs and users. It should bring together multidisciplinary teams to generate ideas and solutions in an open innovation environment by increasing investment and bringing more companies and regions into the knowledge economy.

Proposed research activities should contribute, to the extent it is relevant, to meeting EU's commitments in, for example, energy, digital, climate, health.

This action could focus on closer-to-the-market activities including prototyping, testing, demonstrating, piloting and scaling-up for new or improved products, processes or services. Proposals may include limited research and development activities and clearly demonstrate European added value. Activities are expected to focus on Technology Readiness Levels 5 to 7 (indicative, but not mandatory, depending on the innovative potential field of application).

Due to the scope of this topic, international cooperation is encouraged.

Where appropriate, the Commission recommends that consortia make use of the services of the JRC. The JRC may participate in the preparation and submission of the proposal. The JRC would bear the operational costs for its own staff and research infrastructure operational costs. The JRC facilities and expertise are listed in General Annex H of this Work Programme.