Research and training programme (Euratom) consisting of a joint programme and complementary programmes - Fusion and plasma physics -, 1969

This third programme on fusion formed part of the third Community research and training programme in the field of nuclear energy. Like the previous programmes, it was carried out in accordance with the 1957 Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom).
To carry out research on fusion and plasma, including theoretical research on plasma physics and research on the problems posed by the interaction between electromagnetic waves and plasmas.
Research topics:
- Theoretical research on plasma physics;
- Plasma at low pressure;
- Plasma at medium pressure;
- Plasma at very high pressure;
- Problems posed by the interaction between electromagnetic waves and plasmas.
As provided for in the Euratom Treaty, the Community research and training programme in the field of nuclear energy was carried out in part at the establishments of the Joint Nuclear Research Centre at Geel, Ispra, Karlsruhe and Petten. The Treaty also authorized the Commission to entrust, by contract, the carrying out of certain parts of the programmes to Member States, persons or undertakings, or to third countries, international organizations or nationals of third countries.

For the purpose of coordinating and complementing research undertaken in Member States, the Treaty authorizes the Commission to call upon Member States, persons or undertakings to communicate to it their programmes, following which it may deliver a reasoned opinion on these programmes with a view to discouraging unnecessary duplication and to directing research towards sectors which are insufficiently explored. To encourage the carrying out of research programmes communicated to it, the Commission may provide financial assistance within the framework of research contracts, supply source materials or special fissile materials which it has available (free of charge or against payment), and place installations, equipment or expert assistance at the disposal of Member States, persons or undertakings (free of charge or against payment). It may also bring together representatives of public and private research centres as well as any experts engaged in research in the same or related fields for mutual consultation and exchanges of information.

The total budget of the third research and training programme was set at 48.68 million units of account (u.a.). Out of this amount, 6.2 million u.a. were allocated for fusion and plasma physics research. This research was carried out through association contracts. However, contrary to other areas of research included in the research and training programme, it involved no complementary programmes.

The Treaty requires that the Commission submit annual reports to the Council on the implementation of the research and training programmes and that it keep the Economic and Social Committee informed of their broad outlines. Concerning the dissemination of information over which the Community has power of disposal, the Commission may grant licences and sub-licences on terms to be agreed with the licensees.