Public call for expressions of interest and submission of project proposals Project of common European interest in the field of innovative nuclear technologies

1. Important projects of common European interest

As part of the European Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027, the Ministry is carrying out activities for the inclusion of Slovenian companies in the IPCEI from the European Regional Development Fund.

These are cross-border, multi-country projects in which large, medium-sized and small enterprises participate, which connect with companies from the European Union through projects. Companies in such projects cooperate with their projects in the field of content from an individual IPCEI, which are either planned to be implemented independently or as part of a consortium. Companies can participate in the IPCEI as direct partners, indirect partners or as associated partners. Partners from the Member States of the European Union, which are involved in the coordination of the preparation of a joint European project in a particular subject area, participate in the preparation of a joint application in the form of a joint document (French: chapeau text), on the basis of which the European Commission approves state aid to direct partners.

The requirements for IPCEIs are as follows:

• they make a significant contribution to the objectives of the European Union – competitiveness, innovation, sustainable growth and value creation that benefit the economy and society of the European Union;
• they are financially supported by the Member States and by their own financing by the beneficiaries;the
• areas that make a significant contribution to the common European market and R innovative projects, including the phase of the first industrial deployment, which make a significant contribution to the added value at European Union level, are particularly highlighted.

2. IPCEI INT

The call is intended to test the interest of Slovenian companies to join the IPCEI in the field of innovative nuclear technologies – IPCEI INT, which is being established at the European level.

The IPCEI INT is designed on the basis of the following justification:

Nuclear technologies can play a key role in addressing today’s industrial and societal challenges. In the energy sector, nuclear energy provides a stable low-carbon energy source that is essential for decarbonisation. This is particularly important for many energy-intensive industries and sectors where emission reductions are challenging; they need a reliable, constant and affordable basic supply of electricity and process heat in order to be able to switch from fossil fuels to other more environmentally friendly energy sources.

Taking into account the sovereignty of Member States in determining their energy sources, nuclear technologies can make a significant contribution to energy security and reducing dependence on fossil fuels and external supplies. Nuclear energy is and will remain a key pillar in achieving the European Union’s ambitious political goals. As such, it is expected to play an increasingly important role in building a diversified, resilient and low-carbon European energy system in the coming years. In addition, nuclear technologies bring significant benefits in areas other than energy production – such as the production of medical isotopes – and can contribute to addressing some of the EU’s major health challenges, such as the fight against cancer.

A number of important trends are expected to shape the nuclear sector in the coming decades. These include, in particular, the development of innovative nuclear fission reactors, such as small modular reactors (SMRs). These are designed to provide low-carbon power generation and hold promise for alternative applications, including district heating, industrial heating and hydrogen production. Due to their promise, they can be easily linked to opportunities in other industries such as data centres, defence, shipbuilding, highly radioactive waste reduction and space exploration.

Similarly, nuclear fusion is emerging as a strategic long-term technology that is increasingly bridging the gap between advanced research and early industrial applications. This development is supported by investments in large-scale research facilities and increasing industry involvement.

At the same time, the production and use of medical radioisotopes is becoming a strategic priority for Europe, given their essential role in modern healthcare, for example in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and the rapidly growing demand caused by advances in nuclear medicine, the need to strengthen European production capacities, security of supply and value chain services in order to ensure better access for patients.

The design of IPCEI INT is based on the areas of research, development and innovation (R), first industrial deployment (FID), with a focus on research, development and innovation that goes beyond the state-of-the-art (‘Beyond-State-of-the-Art’). . IPCEI INT projects must be of a highly innovative nature or represent significant added value in the field of research, development and innovation, given the state of knowledge in the sector concerned.

3. Objectives of the IPCEI INT

IPCEI is an instrument for mutual cooperation, fostering cross-border industrial partnerships, creating investor confidence with a multiplier effect on attracting additional private investment, all with a view to accelerating the deployment of highly innovative nuclear technologies across the EU, while maintaining the highest standards of nuclear safety and safeguards in line with international best practices and obligations.

The IPCEI for innovative nuclear technologies can therefore contribute to addressing four key industrial and societal challenges for the EU:

(i) climate neutrality through low-carbon energy production

This objective directly supports the European Union’s objective of climate neutrality by 2050, as set out in Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 (European Climate Law). In line with the legislative framework of the European Green Deal, the EU should achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. European Union Member States will therefore need to complete an ambitious energy transition, replacing fossil fuels with low-carbon energy in the electricity, energy-intensive and low-fossil fuel sectors, and in the district heating sector, while also addressing new users with high consumption (e.g. electric mobility, computing workload for training and the use of artificial intelligence or data centres). SMRs could provide a more flexible operation in response to grid needs. In the long term, nuclear fusion could complement this contribution to supporting climate neutrality, as continuous development is already generating relevant technological impacts.

(ii) promoting competitiveness and job creation by strengthening industrial innovation and the European Union’s leadership in innovative nuclear technologies.

In the long term, the IPCEI INT can play a key role in strengthening industrial competitiveness, innovation and labour market resilience in the European Union. Supporting the development and industrial first use of innovative nuclear technologies can boost strategic value chains for high-tech manufacturing, engineering services and the nuclear energy supply industry – sectors that are essential for future low-carbon energy systems and innovation ecosystems.

This is in line with the European Commission’s Competitiveness Compass and the broader industrial policy framework, which emphasise innovation, strategic technologies and the creation of quality jobs and skills in the Member States as key drivers of the EU’s prosperity and competitiveness. Integrated European value chains for innovative nuclear technology can also attract a skilled workforce and stimulate job growth in research and development, start-ups and scale-ups, digital engineering and advanced manufacturing, thereby reducing external dependencies and strengthening the strategic autonomy of the European Union.

(iii) strategic autonomy and security of supply, reduction of dependence on fossil fuels and exposure to external influences

This objective is aligned with Article 194 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which stipulates that the European Union’s energy policy shall ensure security of energy supply and encourage the development of new forms of energy. It further supports the objectives of the European Green Deal and the REPowerEU plan, which aim to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, increase energy resilience and strengthen the strategic autonomy of the European Union in a challenging geopolitical context. In the context of this framework, nuclear technologies can contribute to security of supply by providing reliable low-carbon energy, supporting long-term strategic autonomy, while respecting the autonomy of the Member States of the European Union in the choice of energy mix.

In addition, the nuclear value chain includes high-quality know-how, critical components and materials, fuels and advanced production capabilities, as well as highly skilled expertise. Increased European cooperation will help to reduce dependency on suppliers of components, fuel cycle services and technological know-how from third countries. The IPCEI INT will contribute to strengthening Europe’s domestic nuclear industry and strengthen Europe’s market and expertise in these emerging technologies.

(iv) Innovative health solutions based on the medical application of nuclear technologies

This objective is aligned with the EU4Health Programme 2021-2027, in particular Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, and the Euratom Research and Training Programme 2021-2027. The role of nuclear medicine in the treatment of cancer using ionising radioisotopes was recognised with the launch of the Action Plan ‘Strategic Agenda for the Medical Use of Ionising Radiation’ (SAMIRA) in February 2021. Securing the supply of medical radioisotopes and fostering innovation and technological development in the value chain will contribute to this objective and support the development of important health solutions. The European Radioisotope Valley Initiative and the forthcoming Communication will support the objectives related to the development and monitoring of the production of medical radioisotopes in the European Union, thus contributing to resilience and strategic autonomy in this important area.

4. The structure of the IPCEI INT

IPCEI Nuclear project covers the following work streams, designed to address the challenges of innovative nuclear technologies at all stages of the value chain, while ensuring coherence, maximising cross-border cooperation and generating spill-over effects across the EU:

• The first work strand (WS1: Nuclear reactors) focuses on innovative reactor technologies, including low-carbon power generation, cogeneration or heat generation, radioisotope production, propulsion applications and off-grid applications, and radioisotope energy systems.

• The second work strand (WS2: Fuel and Radioisotopes) focuses on upstream and end-of-life innovations of nuclear fuels, such as innovation in the production of nuclear fuels or the production of target materials for medical use, as well as innovation in the management and/or valorisation of spent fuel.

• The third strand of work (WS3: Materials, Components and Services) focuses on innovation in materials, components and services needed for the development, construction, operation and decommissioning of nuclear reactors or facilities, or on value chain services for the timely delivery of radioisotopes.

Workstream (WS):

1) WS1: Nuclear Reactors

The first work area, “Nuclear Reactors”, focuses on the design, design, development and first industrial application of innovative reactor concepts. This includes reactors for the production of low-carbon electricity, cogeneration or heat generation, radioisotope production (using reactors and accelerator-based technologies) and reactors for propulsion purposes and use in off-grid systems (so-called “off-grid” applications).

The scope of work also covers innovative technological upgrades of existing designs. Eligible fission technologies mainly include innovative designs such as light water reactors (LWRs), high-temperature reactors (HTRs), fast liquid metal reactors (LMFRs) and molten salt reactors (MSRs), some of which are currently supported by the European Industrial Alliance for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Microreactors.

The deployment of the first reactors of their kind would allow for their early demonstration. This work package also includes the development of integrated designs for fusion reactors. Innovative solutions for the production of medical radioisotopes (using nuclear reactors and radiological facilities such as accelerators), the development of new radioisotopes for medical use, and systems for obtaining energy from radioisotopes are also included.

2) WS2: Fuel and radioisotopes

The second work area “Fuel and Radioisotopes” focuses on innovations in the production and management of nuclear fuels for power generation, advanced and innovative fuel cycle solutions, and target materials for medical applications. Different technologies require the development and industrial qualification of various innovative fuels, such as TRISO particles for HTR, fuel salts for MSRs, MOX fuel for fast reactors, HALEU for advanced reactors, and the production of medical isotopes or deuterium, tritium (including production and handling) and lithium for fusion.

In addition, this strand of work will address projects related to the management and/or valorisation of radioactive waste and spent fuel, with a focus on the whole life cycle and circular economy approaches, including the recovery and reuse of valuable materials both for the production of new nuclear fuels and for non-energy applications, such as the production of radioisotopes for medical or space applications. This strand of work will also include R projects related to the production of target materials used to generate promising radioisotopes for medical applications: this includes reprocessing and testing facilities (to the extent used for R and first industrial deployment), such as plants for separation, purification, labelling or processing of enriched materials.

3) WS3: Materials, Components and Services

The third work area “Materials, Components and Services” focuses on multi-sectoral industrial capabilities by providing innovation in the materials, components and services needed for the design, development, construction, operation and decommissioning of a nuclear facility, whether for energy production (electricity, heat, propulsion) or for the production of radioisotopes. It addresses multi-sectoral development projects that support the entire sector (both fission and fusion), including the design and realization of radiation-resistant and high-performance materials, the implementation of innovative manufacturing processes (including digitization and automation, tools/facilities for the qualification and certification of new components), as well as the design and construction of pilot lines of innovative facilities for the implementation of such activities.

This area of work covers the development of components that are specifically suitable for each reactor technology, from both fission and fusion designs. It also includes specialized engineering services necessary for the installation, maintenance and decommissioning of innovative reactors, or innovative services for the extension, upgrade and decommissioning of existing nuclear facilities. In addition, it covers innovations in services related to the distribution network of medical radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals, which will enable the timely and cost-effective implementation of treatments.

5. Role of direct and associate partners

Companies can participate in IPCEI as direct or associate partners.

In the project proposal, the company expresses interest in participating as a direct or associated partner. In subsequent procedures, it will be possible for the company’s status as a candidate for a direct or associated partner to be changed, for example, depending on the content of the project, established links with other companies that will be included in IPCEI INT, the Ministry’s decision on the possibility of supporting direct partners. In the event of the Ministry’s decision on the possibility of supporting direct partners, the Ministry will publish a public invitation to submit proposals for inclusion in IPCEI INT as a direct partner later in the process of establishing IPCEI INT.

Direct partners play a central role in each IPCEI. State aid granted to projects of these partners is assessed by the European Commission in the light of the Communication on the criteria for analysing the compatibility with the internal market of State aid to promote the implementation of important projects of common European interest (OJ C No 528, 30.12.2021, p. 10).

Direct partners in IPCEI are subject to, inter alia, the following requirements:

• Carrying out a R project and its first industrial application, which will have a significant innovative nature or significant added value going beyond the state of the art in the sector concerned (global).
• Integration into the IPCEI and contributing to the integration of the IPCEI, including a concrete contribution through its project to the achievement of the objectives of the IPCEI and of a significant innovative nature.
• Active participation in the planning, management and joint activities of the IPCEI throughout its lifecycle (from the planning phase to the completion of the IPCEI). This will include at least: providing meaningful contributions to its Member State and providing the information requested by the IPCEI coordinator and managing authorities necessary for the IPCEI activities and documents.
• Ensuring effective cross-border cooperation with other direct partners, possibly including associated partners, in compliance with competition rules. The cornerstone of this effective cross-border cooperation will start with their active participation in the matchmaking process and will continue throughout the lifetime of the IPCEI.
• Commitment to ensure and actively implement additional spillover effects outside their Member States.
• Clarification of the necessity and proportionality of the State aid requested by indicating the financial gap of the project. To this end, companies will have to present the financial parameters of the project by filling in a financial gap form (large companies must justify the financial gap using a counterfactual scenario).
• Reporting on the annual implementation of the project.

More information on the application and requirements for IPCEI direct partners is available on the European Commission’s website: https://competition-policy.ec.europa.eu/state-aid/ipcei/background-information_en.

Associated IPCEI partners cooperate with direct partners. Countries allocate funds to them to co-finance projects in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 of 17 June 2014 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty.

The following requirements apply to associated partners in the IPCEI, inter alia:

• The project must make a significant contribution to the objectives of the IPCEI.
• The associated partner must actively participate in the joint activities of the IPCEI and submit, through the authorities of its Member States, in accordance with the requirements, the information necessary for the activities and documents of the IPCEI.
• The associated partner must establish effective cross-border cooperation with the direct partners or with the associated partners in accordance with competition rules. The foundation of this effective cross-border cooperation will start with active participation in the matchmaking process.
• The associated partner must commit to additional positive spillover effects outside its Member States.
• Where appropriate, the associated partner should inform the relevant IPCEI body in writing on the progress of its projects on an annual basis and contribute to annual reporting at the level of the entire IPCEI.

6. Expression of interest and submission of the project proposal

IPCEI INT is in the process of being established. The start of the international matchmaking process is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. It is a process that, on the basis of networking and networking, enables the establishment of partnerships between participating companies (direct, indirect and associated partners) for the realization of IPCEI INT in a particular field of work. The integration process is a necessary phase in the establishment and development of IPCEI INT, in which companies connect into a consortium of partners at the European level, according to project proposals and planned development in individual work and technological areas. Each direct partner expresses its intention to cooperate with an indirect or associated partner through a letter of intent.

On the basis of the expression of interest and the submission of basic project proposals, the Ministry may propose companies to participate in the process of integration with potential European partners, which in this way enter the process of coordinating project proposals, which enables companies to be placed in one or more work areas or the value chain of the respective work area.

With the expression of interest, the company acquires the opportunity to participate in the IPCEI INT and the possibility of being placed in the IPCEI INT value chain, but not the right to co-financing by the Ministry. Before expressing interest, the company must assess that it has the appropriate human and financial skills and professional competences to successfully participate in the IPCEI INT.

The conditions and other requirements for obtaining co-financing, taking into account the rules on state aid, are determined later in the procedures for allocating co-financing funds (e.g. through a public tender or direct approval of the co-financing operation). Requirements and procedures are also formulated at a later date regarding the national assessment and substantive assessment of the submitted project proposals.

The Ministry will inform the companies that express interest in this invitation about the further steps of the process and the substantive progress in the design of the IPCEI INT.

For the purpose of familiarizing interested companies with the project contents, the Ministry provides access to additional materials and information related to the IPCEI INT. In addition, a meeting or informative event will be held for the purpose of presenting the IPCEI INT. The date of the event will be published on the website of the https://www.gov.si/drzavni-organi/ministrstva/ministrstvo-za-gospodarstvo-delo-in-sport/javne-objave/.

Participation in the IPCEI project requires the use of English.

The public call for expressions of interest and submission of project proposals is open until the integration in IPCEI INT is completed. Nevertheless, we suggest that companies express their interest and submit a project proposal by 15.11.2026, as they will be able to be included in the integration process in IPCEI INT right at the beginning of this process.

In the event that the expression of interest and submission of project proposals are no longer possible, we will publish it on the https://www.gov.si/drzavni-organi/ministrstva/ministrstvo-za-gospodarstvo-delo-in-sport/javne-objave/ website.

The company expresses its interest by means of an e-mail in which it indicates, the area in the IPCEI INT where its project is substantively located, and forwards it to the following addresses: gp.mgds@gov.si. , with the addition of the case number 302-31/2026-2190. The e-mail must necessarily be accompanied by a completed basic project proposal on the published form attached to this invitation (Annex 1 and Annex 2). In the case of a consortium of companies wishing to implement a joint project, these companies may jointly express their interest and submit a joint basic project proposal.

The project proposal form is in Slovenian and English. Please fill it out in both languages. Both forms must be the same in terms of content. The project proposal in English will be forwarded to the European Commission and the IPCEI INT coordinator in the next steps.

If you have any questions, you can write to ipcei.mgds@gov.si.