Andra Call for Projects: "Optimization of radioactive dismantling waste management"

The dismantling of nuclear facilities represents a global challenge. In France, it will generate huge amounts of radioactive wastes. The volume reduction, and more generally the management optimization, is a state priority given to the national agency for the management of radioactive wastes (Andra). To respond to those challenges, Andra focuses on four development axis: the deployment of high-performance industrial equipments, the introduction of services and advices ahead of dismantling strategies, the public expertise and the Research and Development.

Particularly on this last point, Andra would like, with this call, beyond actions already engaged, to stimulate innovation around radioactive wastes’ management. To achieve those goals, Andra, in cooperation with ANR and with the support of the Future Investments program, launches a call for projects which objectives are the emergence of innovative initiatives in the domain of radioactive wastes’ management issued from the dismantling of nuclear facilities.

Four R&D topics

This call is declined around four R&D topics:

  • Characterization of sites to dismantle and generated wastes,
  • Sorting and treatment of wastes,
  • New materials for storage,
  • A transverse thematic to human and social sciences called « innovation and society ».

This call is dedicated to research organisms, project leaders in fundamental research, as well as companies for collaborative industrial research and experimental development projects. The participation of SME/ETI is particularly welcomed. This dedicated call is funded, thanks to the Future Investments program, with a global budget of 45 million euros. Selected projects will be funded for a duration of 4 years maximum.

The Andra funding cannot exceed € 600,000 for Fundamental Research projects and €4,000,000 for Industrial Research or Experimental Development projects.

With this initiative, Andra would like to encourage the use of existing technologies and know-how, or in development in other activity sectors (aeronautic, metrology, etc.) to radioactive wastes’ management.

Institution
Application date
Duration
Up to 4 years
Discipline
Humanities
Social sciences