The Research Reactor Conference (RRFM) 2027 is intended to include research reactors of all powers as well as critical and subcritical facilities. 

The Programme Committee is calling for both oral and poster presentations on the following topics: 

• Research reactor nuclear fuel cycle from front-end to back-end –  conversion 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 treatment, conditioning and reprocessing, spent fuel storage, corrosion and degradation; fuel cycle optimisation.
• Utilisation of research reactors – E&T programmes; nuclear science and technology including support for nuclear power programmes; neutron beam applications; industrial and medical applications, including radioisotopes production and irradiation/transmutation technology; strategic and business plans; networks and coalitions; synergies between research reactors and the development of nuclear power programmes and SMR/AMR.
• 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 infrastructure; design for decommissioning.
• Research reactor operation & maintenance and ageing management – managing reliability issues (commissioning, early operation to end of life related issues); ageing management, modernisation, refurbishment; 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; periodic safety reviews; 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; management of irradiated beryllium; logistics and transportation; ongoing projects; D&D lessons learned.

 

Mark your diaries and be a part of it!
Upload your abstracts before 4 December 2026! 

INSTRUCTIONS AND DEADLINES 

Next steps	Deadlines
Abstract Submission	4 December 2026
Author Notification	17 December 2026
Full Paper Submission	19 March 2027
PowerPoint Presentation due	5 April 2027
RRFM 2027 in Prague	20 – 23 April 2027

Participate in the RRFM 2027 Student Competition! 

In 2027, the Research Reactor Conference (RRFM) Programme Committee will again organise a Student Competition.

The challenge

Participating PhD and Master’s Students will be invited to present a compelling spoken presentation of their research topic to the international Research Reactor Community during a Plenary Session of the Research Reactor Conference (RRFM) 2027.

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 by a maximum of three PowerPoint 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?

Students in subjects relevant to the Research Reactor Community who are working on research topics defined in the Call for Papers for the Research Reactor Conference (RRFM) 2027 and meeting the following conditions:

• Max. 35 y.o.
• Max. 3 authors per submitted work OR 5 authors if a collaborative work between 2 or more institutes

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 2027 Abstract Submission System by 4 December 2026 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.

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