International Atomic Energy Agency

About the International Atomic Energy Agency

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an agency of the United Nations (UN) that emerged in response to the expectations generated by the discoveries and various uses of nuclear technology and ionizing radiation and their dissemination. IAEA was created in 1957, with Portugal being one of the founding members. It is based in Vienna, Austria, where its General Conference takes place every year, in which delegations from all 168 Member States participate. In 2017, in its 61st edition, Portugal was represented by a delegation chaired by the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Manuel Heitor, whose speech is available here.

Highlights

IAEA Launches Initiative to Help Prevent Future Pandemics: The project ZODIAC builds on the IAEA’s experience in assisting countries in the use of nuclear and nuclear-derived techniques for the rapid detection of pathogens that cause transboundary animal diseases, including ones that spread to humans. More information available here.
IAEA general events list updated on 6 July 2020.

Portuguese participation

Collaborative activities with the Agency are developed and framed within the scope of Country Programme Framework (CPF), in which the strategy and priorities of the relationship between the Agency and the Member State are outlined. The CPF homologation process covering the 2020-2025 period is ongoing.

IAEA-Portugal Technical Cooperation Program

The Technical Cooperation Programme frames the competences of FCT in the context of the collaboration with IAEA, consisting in raising awareness, promote, manage and provide support to:

The participation of Portuguese experts in scientific and technical projects and in the various associated events (workshops, courses, technical meetings) organized by the IAEA;
Internships in Portugal for foreign trainees;
Technical meetings taking place in Portugal.

The Technical Cooperation Program (TCP) covers several geographical areas. Portugal belongs to the "TCP Europe" region, which comprises 32 Member States, of which 15 are Members of the European Union.

Two of the areas under the Technical Cooperation Program stand out as being of particular relevance for Portugal:

Human Health – Helping States Enhance Prevention, Treatment and Control of Diseases
Safety and Security - Helping States to Protect People and the Environment

However, projects in areas such as applications of radiation technologies in industry and in other sectors of activity, environment, food and agriculture may also be of interest to Portuguese experts and institutions.

Technical Cooperation Program Projects

There are three types of IAEA projects, under the Technical Cooperation Program:

Regional projects - cooperation between a group of Member States and the IAEA;
National projects - bilateral cooperation between a Member State and the IAEA;
Interregional projects - cooperation between the IAEA and Member States from different regions.

These projects aim to deepen, strengthen and develop skills and capabilities in the Member States.

The list of projects with Portuguese participation can be obtained here.

Operation of the Technical Cooperation Program

The process of preparing and executing projects within the scope of IAEA Technical Cooperation takes place in two-year cycles. The current cycle corresponds to the 2020/2021 biennium.

All researchers interested in participating in IAEA activities must register on the TALEO platform with all information related to their curriculum vitae. This platform is universal within the IAEA, so the information entered is also used for job applications at the IAEA and for selection as a trainer or speaker in the various initiatives. It is also linked to the InTouch+ platform, in which registration is required to participate in the activities of the technical cooperation program.

Events organised by the IAEA

The IAEA organizes a wide range of events in various thematic areas, in which nominated Portuguese researchers and experts can participate, through a selection process carried out by the National Liaison Officer (NLO), with the support of the National Liaison Assistant (NLA), and by the IAEA office.

Lists of scheduled events, respective references, documentation and deadlines for nominations can be obtained from the following links:

If you have already registered with InTouch+ you can also access that updated list of events in the "My Eligble Events" section.

NOTES:

The use of the InTouch+ platform is encouraged both for consulting events and for submitting applications, ensuring access to all updated information.

If you encounter any difficulties in finding a relevant event on the InTouch+ platform, or if you would otherwise like to submit an application to one of the listed events please contact the NLO and the NLA by email within two working days before the corresponding nomination deadline, indicating the respective event reference. NLO and NLA contacts are listed here.

Other IAEA activities (outside the scope of Technical Cooperation)

The IAEA promotes and facilitates international initiatives in the areas of Radiological Safety and Nuclear Safety, such as (among others):

In addition, the IAEA compiles and disseminates information on radiological and nuclear accidents, unnecessary exposures to ionizing radiation, and promotes the organization of International Conferences on related topics. The Agency, through specialised professionals and experts from the Member States, publishes reports that are international landmarks used by scientific and technical communities, regulators and other stakeholders that survey the state of the art in the fields of nuclear technology and its impact on different sectors of activity.

Noteworthy are reports and publications such as Safety Guides (recommendations), Safety Requirements (defining obligations and responsibilities) and Safety Fundamentals (for decision makers and regulatory authorities).

IAEA Basic Safety Standards - Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards (BSS), which stipulate international safety and radiation protection standards, are also relevant.

The IAEA also provides advice to Member States in scientific, technical, regulatory and other areas. Teams of IAEA experts can carry out verification visits and missions to assess the adequacy of Member States' practices and structures in areas and topics of Radiological and Nuclear Protection and Safety.

Another highly visible activity under the responsibility of the IAEA and of great relevance to Portugal concerns the Radiological Protection of Patients (RPOP). The IAEA maintains and makes available the RPOP website, where it hosts information, several resources for education and training and articles describing the state of the art in medical applications of ionizing radiation.