The European Joint Programme on Radioactive Waste Management EURAD: update of its strategic research agenda

Abstract. The European Joint Programme on Radioactive Waste Management EURAD brings together various research actors, namely waste management organisations (WMO), technical support organisations (TSO) and research entities (RE), to work on a joint strategic research agenda (SRA) focusing on deep geological disposal of radioactive waste. In total, 116 project partners from 23 countries have worked jointly since 2019 in collaborative RD&D work packages, strategic studies and various knowledge management activities. EURAD research is driven by the need for implementation of a deep geological repository and its safety, while aiming for scientific excellence. EURAD has developed a roadmap which is seen as a representation of a generic radioactive waste management (RWM) programme. The content is focused on what knowledge and competencies (including infrastructures) are considered most critical for RWM and implementation of deep geological disposal, in alignment with the EURAD vision. Here, the current SRA update process will be outlined from the perspective of Europe's research entities contributing to EURAD. In this context, the international network of research entities EURADSCIENCE plays a key role. EURADSCIENCE addresses – and will address during decades to come – scientific excellence in (the full lifecycle of) radioactive waste management from cradle to grave. As an independent, cross-disciplinary and inclusive organization, its overarching aim is to ensure scientific excellence and credibility in decision-making on RWM, regardless of national implementation status, waste type or national inventory. To this end, EURADSCIENCE will define and update its own SRA. The approach here is to maintain a holistic view of scientific disciplines and provide scientific excellence to advance progress of national radioactive waste management programmes, and to ensure scientific credibility of waste management concepts as well as addressing fundamental requirements related to knowledge management. More generally speaking, EURADSCIENCE aims to bring forward a vision that assures that scientific excellence and ever-developing scientific advances are integrated at any given time into the multigenerational implementation process of geological disposal. Similarly, the respective WMO and TSO networks, IGD-TP and SITEX, have developed their SRAs based on their specific roles and perspectives. Ultimately, the overlap between these SRAs will define the envelope for future European RD&D activities in the context of RWM. The update process has recently been consolidated after consultations between the three actor groups. Ultimately, the EURAD general assembly will have to approve the SRA update process regarding its alignment with the EURAD roadmap, the development of the seven existing SRA themes, the development of future RD&D activities via an EURAD exchange forum and the focus of RD&D planning for the next 10 years.