In FP7 Euratom there are two associated specific programmes, one covering indirect actions in the fields of fusion energy research and nuclear fission and radiation protection, the other covering direct actions in the nuclear field undertaken by the Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC).

Euratom indirect actions are managed by the Commission's Directorate-General for Research (DG RTD). The specific programmes allocate 1 947 million EUR to fusion energy research and 287 million EUR for nuclear fission and radiation protection, while 517 million EUR are reserved for nuclear activities of the JRC. The JRC is also a partner in many of the consortia implementing indirect actions in the fission area.

FP7 Euratom aims to address the major issues and challenges in nuclear research and to contribute to the further consolidation of the European Research Area in the nuclear energy sector. It also supports existing Community policies while at the same time responding to new policy requirements.

Table below summarises the amounts which have been allocated since FP4 Euratom in the research projects on fusion, fission and radiation protection and in the JRC. One will point out that the budget allocated to FP7 Euratom almost doubled in relation to FP6. Nevertheless, this increase benefits mainly the field of fusion (ITER).

N° FP	Period	Fusion	Fission	JRC	Total
FP4	1994-1998	794 M Euros	170 M Euros	271 M Euros	1235 M Euros
FP5	1998-2002	788 M Euros	191 M Euros	281 M Euros	1260 M Euros
FP6	2002-2006	824 M Euros	209 M Euros	319 M Euros	1352 M Euros
FP7	2007-2011	1947 M Euros	287 M Euros	517 M Euros	2751 M Euros

In addition to the support to R&D projects through the Euratom FP, the EU is actively involved in two important initiatives regarding Fission and Fusion:

Fission:

The Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) was officially launched on the 21st September 2007 in Brussels. This Technology Platform aims at coordinating Research, Development, Demonstration and Deployment (RDD&D) in the field of nuclear fission energy. It gathers stakeholders from industry (technology suppliers, utilities and other users), research organisations including Technical Safety Organisations (TSO), universities and national representatives.

Fusion:

A Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy has been established in order to promote scientific research and technological development in the field of fusion. This Decision establishes a Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy for a period of 35 years starting on 19 April 2007. The members of the Joint Undertaking are Euratom, represented by the Commission, the Member States of the European Union (EU), and certain third countries which have concluded cooperation agreements with Euratom in the field of controlled nuclear fusion.