The Research Reactor Conference (RRFM) 2023 is meant to include research reactors of all powers and critical and sub-critical facilities. Contributions on synergies between research reactors and prototype SMR’s are also welcome.

Mark your diaries and be a part of it! Upload your abstracts before 25 November 2022.

For abstract submission please go to the RRFM 2023 Online Abstract Submission System

Important Dates

Deadline for abstract submission: 25 November 2022
Notification of authors: 16 December 2022
Deadline for full paper submission: 1 March 2023
Deadline for submission of PowerPoint presentations: 31 March 2023
Conference: 16 – 20 April 2023

Authors Resources

The Programme Committee is calling for both oral and poster presentations regarding:

• Research reactor nuclear fuel cycle from front-end to back-end – cconversion to LEU fuels; fissile material supply; fresh fuel and targets: origin, fuel development, qualification, fabrication; in-core fuel management and safety; fuel transportation; fuel and reactor licensing; fuel back-end management including reprocessing, spent fuel storage, corrosion and degradation; fuel cycle economics.
• Utilisation of research reactors – capacity building; E&T programmes; nuclear science and technology including support for nuclear power programmes; neutron beam applications; industrial and medical applications, including radio-isotopes production and irradiation/transmutation technology; strategic and business plans; networks and coalitions.
• Innovative methods in reactor physics and thermo-hydraulics – development and application of advanced computational methods and tools for core load management (operational and safety analysis, and fuel cycle physics); benchmark exercises; nuclear data improvements.
• New research reactor projects – national/regional plans or construction updates; lessons learned from new research reactor projects – design, construction and start of operation; proliferation resistance; development of national infrastructures; design for decommissioning; synergies between research reactors and prototype SMR’s.
• Research reactor operation & maintenance and ageing management – managing reliability issues (commissioning, early operation to end of life related issues); ageing management, modernization, refurbishment, long term operation and life-time extension; maintenance management systems; human resource development and training programmes.
• Research reactor safety and security – implementation of updated international safety and security standards; application of graded approach to regulatory safety and security requirements; review of national regulatory requirements on safety and of licensing activities; design review and upgrades including associated facilities (spent fuel storage facilities); safety analysis methods and approaches; safety of experiments and experimental devices; assessment of fire safety; management of the interface between nuclear safety and security; cyber security issues; review of emergency and contingency plans;
• Decommissioning and dismantling of research reactors and waste management – strategies and concepts; radiological characterisation; decommissioning planning; economics and cost estimation; licensing; backend solutions for reflector and shielding materials; decontamination and measures to reduce radiation exposure; radiation and environmental protection; treatment, storage and disposal of radioactive waste; logistics and transportation; on-going projects; D&D lessons learned.

Participate in the RRFM 2023 Student Competition!

In 2023 the Research Reactor Conference (RRFM) Progamme Committee will again organize a Student Competition.

The challenge

Participating PhD and Master Students will be invited to present a compelling spoken presentation of their research topic to the international Research Reactor Community during the Opening Plenary Session of the Research Reactor Conference (RRFM) 2023.

Inspired by existing Three-Minute Thesis competitions, the presentation should compress the research topic into 180 seconds and communicate it to the international Research Reactor Community. The presentation can be accompanied with a maximum of three Power Point slides, but this is not compulsory.

This presentation should be complemented by a poster presentation which will be on display for the entire duration of the conference, and which should be discussed with the audience during a dedicated Poster Session. The aim should therefore be to make the research topic clear and compelling and encourage the audience to continue the discussion during the Poster Session.

Who can participate?

All students of subjects of relevance for the Research Reactor Community and who are working on research topics defined in the Call for Papers for the Research Reactor Conference (RRFM) 2023 are invited to apply for participation in the competition.

What are the next steps?

Interested students should submit their abstract text (approx. 400 words) in English through the RRFM 2023 Abstract Submission System by 25 November 2022 under the category ‘Student Competition’.

The Programme Committee of the Research Reactor Conference (RRFM) will select up to 10 researchers who will be given the opportunity to present their work to the international Research Reactor Community.

The European Nuclear Society will send a complimentary registration form to all participants of the competition, allowing them to participate free of charge in the RRFM 2023 conference, including all technical tours and social activities.

Participating students will follow the instructions for poster presentations and will prepare for their Three-Minute presentation in the Opening Plenary Session.

A great recognition from the international Research Reactor Community!

RRFM delegates will get to vote for their favourite student presentation and award the ‘Audience Prize of the Research Reactor Conference (RRFM)’.

The quality of the research presented as well as the accuracy and clarity of the presentation will be the selection criteria at stake.

Registration fees for RRFM 2023 (all fees include 21% VAT)

* Members of ENS’ Member Societies are automatically members of ENS.
** Applicable to participants from Universities

Special tariffs are available for members of the ENS Young Generation and IAEA Grantees. Please contact the organiser (conferences@euronuclear.org) for more information.

Registration will open in January 2023.

What is included in my conference fee?

• Participation in all sessions
• Conference materials
• Lunches and coffee breaks
• Welcome Drink
• Conference Dinner
• Technical Tours to IRE and to SCK CEN

The IAEA offers a limited number of travel grants which contribute to meeting the grantee’s travel and accommodation expenses. The grants aim to stimulate the attendance of selected professionals in the research reactor community who would have difficulties attending the European Research Reactor Conference (RRFM) 2023 without this assistance. The IAEA invites particularly young people to apply for a travel grant.

The criteria for selection are:

• The candidate must be a national from an IAEA Member State eligible to receive assistance under the Agency’s Technical Co-operation
• The candidate must present an oral paper or poster accepted by the Programme Committee

Priority will go to first-time applicants.

If you are interested in a travel grant, please fill in this Grant Application Form, and send it back via your official National authority (Ministry of Foreign Affairs or National Atomic Energy Authority) to:

International Atomic Energy Agency
Vienna International Centre
P.O. Box 100
A-1400 Vienna
Austria

This form should be returned through the official liaison offices with the IAEA by 5 February 2023 at the very latest. To start the procedure in due time (sending it through the post may take some time) you may anticipate the form by fax (+43 1 26007) or by e-mail to Official.Mail@iaea.org, with cc Mr. Petr Chakrov (p.chakrov@iaea.org).