IAEA Lise Meitner Programme - (France)

IAEA Lise Meitner Programme professional training in France: hosted by the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and ITER Organization.

Dates: 23 November – 4 December 2026 (Arrival Sunday 22 November – Departure Friday, December 4)

Focus: Management of complex nuclear projects in an international environment. Management of complex nuclear projects in an international environment.

The IAEA Lise Meitner Programme (LMP) professional training in France is focused on the management of nuclear projects, with a focus on complex nuclear projects. It will address the complexity factors of large nuclear projects in an international context and explore similarities, specificities and synergies in fission and fusion projects, illustrated through the ITER and Jules Horowitz Reactor projects.

Participants will gain a practical insight into success factors for nuclear projects, and the management of complex fission and fusion projects, including through feedback and demonstrations by experts from the ITER International Fusion Energy Organization and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).

As the scientific and technological scope plays a key role in the complexity level of projects, the program will present fusion and fission research reactors' science and technology. Also, nuclear safety, security, radiation protection, environment protection are common and absolute priorities for fusion and fission projects. The programme will explore how technological complexity and regulatory requirements influence projects' life cycle and performance.

People management is important for successful projects and project management. The training will place an emphasis on leadership and resilient communication skills for nuclear professionals.

Experience and exposure to peer scientists and managers is an essential asset to develop skills. The programme will include visits to ITER, the Jules Horowitz Reactor, the WEST fusion reactor (which set the world record for plasma duration), and CEA ancillary facilities that are essential supports to fusion and fission research reactors.

This 2-week programme will also be an opportunity to network between the participants and with experts, speakers and invited guests.

This training is suited for professionals with 3–10 years of experience in nuclear engineering, physics, or related technical fields for either fission or fusion energy, as well as those involved in nuclear policy, regulation, or nuclear facility management. Participants should have some experience in a project environment and have ideally been exposed to international environments in their early career. They should have an appetite for project management and for work in international environments. Applicants should have a fundamental understanding of nuclear energy to fully benefit from the technical presentations, practical exercises, and site visits included in the program.

The application period will open on Wednesday 17 June 2026 and will close on Wednesday 8 July 2026 (11:59 pm Vienna time).

Note: Submission of an application does not guarantee selection

Who can apply

• Women professionals with a nuclear-related background relevant to the focus area of the programme; examples can be found here
• Currently employed with between 3-10 years of relevant work experience in a nuclear related field; OR final year PhD students in the nuclear field with relevant prior work experience
• Completed relevant Bachelor's degree, Master's degree or PhD
• Nationals of the following IAEA Member States:

Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic , Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Morocco, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam

All applicants are required to

• Complete theonline application form
• Provide the requested documents as noted in the application form:
  • Copy of passport
  • Diplomas (Bachelor's, Master's and/or PhD)

For applicants who are employed, additional required documents:

• Two-page summary of current work
• Completed employer's release and recommendation form sent directly to the LMP Team by the employer (download the form here)

For applicants in their last year of PhD studies, additional required documents:

• Relevant publication(s) and/or brief description of PhD thesis (max 2000 words) signed by the PhD supervisor
• Completed PhD supervisor release and recommendation form sent directly to LMP Team by the PhD supervisor (download form)

Applicants may apply in their own capacity, or be nominated by their national authorities, in which case, the Participation Form should be completed by the participant and sent to the competent national authority for transmission to the IAEA. Please refer to additional instructions in the Form. All applicants are reviewed against the IAEA LMP established selection criteria. National endorsement is not mandatory and does not guarantee selection.

Selection

Participants can only attend one LMP professional visit. Previous participants are not eligible.