Coordinated Research Activities
Introduction
Article III of the IAEA’s Statute states that the IAEA is authorized to encourage and assist research on, and development and practical application of, atomic energy for peaceful purposes throughout the world and to foster the exchange of scientific and technical information, as well as the exchange of scientists in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy. The IAEA’s coordinated research activities are designed to contribute to this mandate, by stimulating and coordinating the undertaking of research by scientists in IAEA Member States in selected nuclear fields.
These coordinated research activities are normally implemented through Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs) that bring together research institutes in both developing and developed Member States to collaborate on the research topic of interest. The IAEA may also respond to proposals from institutes for participation in the research activities by awarding individual contracts not related to a CRP. A small portion of available funds is used to finance individual projects, which deal with topics covered by the IAEA’s scientific programme. The research that is supported encourages the acquisition and dissemination of new knowledge and technology generated through the use of nuclear technologies and isotopic techniques in the various fields of work covered by the IAEA’s mandate.
The results are freely available to Member States and the international scientific community through dissemination in the IAEA’s scientific and technical publications and in other relevant international or national journals. Where it is practical and relevant, the knowledge gained through CRPs is used to enhance the quality of projects delivered to Member States through the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Programme.
Research is implemented according to policies and procedures approved by the Director General of the IAEA. Information on these can be found in the Information Letter for the current year. The IAEA’s principle role is to act as the sponsoring and coordinating body for research on selected topics carried out by selected participating institutions. The IAEA designates a Project Officer for the CRP, usually from its technical staff, who will liaise with the persons nominated as Chief Scientific Investigators for the participating institutes. Between them, they manage and liaise on the research programme, which has a duration normally of between 3 to 5 years. The IAEA’s Research Contracts Administration Section (NACA) of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications is responsible for coordinating and administering the CRP financial and contractual arrangements.
