Coordinated Research Activities
Purpose of Coordinated Research
Research activities supported by the IAEA, through CRPs, are designed to encourage the acquisition and dissemination of new knowledge from the use of nuclear technologies and isotopic techniques. The outcomes of the research will benefit Member States, participating scientists and institutions as well as the international scientific community. Often, the results quickly become of direct benefit to groups outside of the scientific community, for example to farmers or patients if the research is carried in out in the food and agriculture or human health programmes of the IAEA.
CRPs are designed by the IAEA to make a contribution towards the greater understanding or solution of a specific issue or problem, which itself contributes to the wider objectives which have been set for the relevant IAEA programme or project.
The IAEA strives to stimulate through its research activities the growth of nuclear sciences and technologies in developing countries. The CRPs bring together developing and developed countries to concentrate on the same research topic at the same time, and help the countries in sharing and using the knowledge and experience gained. Nuclear and isotopic techniques can often provide unique and cost effective solutions to problems, and so the research can make crucial differences to peoples in their ordinary lives, helping in areas of greatest human need and promoting the goals of sustainable development.