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Fusion researchers are constantly challenging the scientific state-of-the-art and improving the technology thereby creating the conditions for innovation, much of which can be exploited in other science and industrial sectors for the benefit of society. The SOFT Innovation Prize highlights and rewards excellence in innovation that can be found in fusion research as well as the quality of the researchers and industries involved. Following the success of 2022 and 2024 editions of the SOFT Innovation Prize, the European Commission is holding the contest again in association with the next Symposium on Fusion Technology (SOFT), which will be held in Aix-en-Provence, France, from 21 to 25 September 2026.

The contest is open to researchers, research teams, or industrial participants eligible for funding under the Euratom Research and Training Programme 2021-2025, to researchers or research teams working for a national program in an ����ר�� partner country or in any third country that has a bilateral fusion cooperation agreement with Euratom in force, and to industrial participants participating in the ����ר�� project.

There are no specific categories for this prize. Participants are free to submit an application concerning any physics or technology innovation that has been developed in magnetic confinement fusion research and that has market potential or has been taken up (or recognized) by industry to be further developed for the market.

Entries will be assessed on originality and replicability, technical excellence, economic impact, exploitation, and plans for further development. Proposals are studied by an independent jury composed of experts in technology transfer, from business and academia.

The deadline to submit applications is 03 March 2026. See further details on the .

The European Commission has published a four-week Call for Evidence to collect feedback and provide input for the European Union’s (EU's) first-ever Fusion Strategy. Programmed for publication by the end of 2025, the strategy will be a key step to position the EU at the world forefront of fusion development and accelerate commercial fusion energy in the EU. Through this Call for Evidence, the Commission invites research stakeholders, industry and startups as well as private investors to provide inputs to shape the strategy and identify the most effective actions to support fusion development and deployment. Available in all 24 official EU languages, the Call for Evidence is open until 1 July 2025.

See this or participate directly in the .

In describing the R&D program of the ����ר�� device, the also identifies the top R&D issues requiring consolidation or refinement. In the interest of making these R&D support needs more widely accessible to the fusion research community, scientists at the ����ר�� have just released a consolidated updated list as an ����ר�� Technical Report.

The report, published on 30 May 2025, provides the description of a selected set of issues related to completion of systems' designs, specific choices and options to be explored in the early stages of the I����ר�� Research Plan, and strategic assumptions on the development of the Plan's experimental program towards high Q operation.

The support from ����ר�� Member fusion research institutes provides an essential contribution to the further refinement of the ����ר�� Research Plan. Making these R&D needs publicly available is intended to strengthen this support. 

Visit the ����ר�� Technical Reports page of the ����ר�� website, or download the 32-page document directly here.

The  (FIA) has released its 2025 Supply Chain Report. The annual report, which surveyed 22 private fusion companies and 57 suppliers, finds a 73% spending increase among respondants, from around USD 250 million in 2023 to USD 434 million in 2024 (and not all companies responded). The FIA anticipates that supply chain spending will grow by another 25% this year. 

Eighty-six percent of those surveyed saw their fusion-related business increase last year. The 57 suppliers who responded reported investing a combined USD 230 million on building new capacity (including people and machinery) to support this growth.

Concerns remain amongst fusion companies and suppliers regarding challenges in meeting the increasing demand. Nearly a third of fusion companies (31%) expressed concern about the availability of precision engineering and manufacturing suppliers to meet current commercial needs, rising to 63% for future needs. Every company surveyed named at least one key component or material where they had concerns about short- or long-term availability. 

From the report: "Overall, the biggest challenge remains the 'chicken or egg' problem; suppliers need to know that there will be a market to invest in, but fusion companies struggle to commit long-term in advance of hitting timeline milestones. A third of suppliers (31%) are prepared to take the risk of growing capacity to support fusion, and almost half (46%) will do so if there is some risk-sharing. Nonetheless, 83% currently see business risks associated with selling to the fusion industry."

The report can be downloaded from the FIA website .

On a clear morning in May 2025, our drone operator captured a series of spectacular views of the international territory that hosts the ����ר�� installation. Four times as large as the Vatican City State, but slightly smaller than the Principality of Monaco, the ����ר�� enclave covers 180 hectares, of which about half is occupied by buildings and infrastructure. The land was conceded by France to the ����ר�� in 2010, and will be returned once ����ר�� has completed its scientific program.

See the latest aerial photos here.

At the heart of fusion energy lies one of the universe’s most untamed elements: plasma—a high-energy state of matter seen in lightning, the aurora, and most spectacularly, in our sun. Scientists have spent decades trying to control it. But why? 

In this episode, host Kruti Fayot dives into the fascinating world of plasma: what it is, why it’s essential for fusion, how it’s being tamed inside machines like ����ר��, and the surprising role AI might play in the future of clean energy. Featuring insights from ����ר�� experts Javier Artola, Michael Walsh, and Alberto Loarte, with a special introduction by plasma physicist Melanie Windridge and fusion analyst Jack Moore. If you’ve ever looked up at the Northern Lights or wondered how we’ll power the future — this one's for you.

Episode 3 of Behind the Science of Fusion is available now.

Find it on the ����ר�� website's podcast page or open it directly here. You can also find the ����ר�� podcast at , , , and .

Over the course of one very long day last week, sector module #7 was removed from vertical tooling and transferred into the tokamak pit where it now sits on temporary supports. The spectacular operation will be the subject of a detailed video, with interviews, later this week. For the time being, you can watch the operation in accelerated form in this 90-second time-lapse video.

See the video on YouTube .

The European Domestic Agency Fusion for Energy (F4E) is calling for fusion technology transfer demonstrator proposals before 30 June 2025.

Open to European companies and research organizations, the call aims to support projects that propose to take fusion breakthroughs into new markets. Proposals will be evaluated on the feasibility of the demonstrator project, its innovation potential, and socio-economic impact.

Proposals should describe the further use or adaptation of a technology or skill developed under F4E activities into a new product or service in non-fusion applications. The Call invites entities from the fusion sector (F4E's Industrial Partners) and the non-fusion sector to submit proposals.

The selected proposal will receive up to EUR 50,000 to aid with implementation. See for all details.

Applications are open for the 2026 EUROfusion Bernard Bigot Researcher Grants funding individual post-doctoral research projects for two years starting in 2026. The grants will contribute to the salaries, research and training activities of up to nine outstanding early-career researchers. With this grant, EUROfusion encourages excellence and career development of researchers who are already in the fusion program and aims to attract high-quality potential candidates from outside fusion research.

Eligibility:

* Researchers and engineers of all nationalities in possession of a doctoral degree (PhD) who have completed the PhD and defended their thesis in the two years preceding the application deadline.
* The candidate must be employed by a EUROfusion Consortium member or one of their Affiliated Entities during the grant period. Interested candidates should jointly prepare their application with an institute(s) affiliated with EUROfusion, who will submit the application and offer to employ the candidate for the proposed duration of the project.

Apply by 12 May 2025. For all details, application documents, and deadlines .

The international ����ר�� Business Forum (IBF/25) offers the opportunity to connect with global enterprises and create valuable business partnerships in fusion energy. Meet key players in the fusion supply chain—from companies and startups, to innovators shaping the global landscape. Approximately 850 people from 360 companies are currently registered and the industrial exhibition is sold-out (see the list of exhibitors ).

Join them in Marseille, France, from 23 to 25 April 2025 by signing up at .

The second ����ר�� Private Sector Fusion Workshop will take place at ����ר�� Headquarters in France on 22-23 April 2025.  

The aim of the workshop is threefold: to help the private sector best take advantage of ����ר��'s new mechanisms for knowledge sharing and collaboration; to understand who is doing what to solve the remaining fusion technology challenges; and to highlight the capacities of the global fusion supply chain.

An updated program has just been published on the workshop website. Registration closes on Friday 11 April 2025. 

There is also still time to sign up for the ����ר�� Business Forum (IBF/25) through 23 April . The two events are highly complementary. 

US ����ר�� and Oak Ridge National Laboratory host a visit from ����ר�� Director-General Pietro Barabaschi in late March. Highlights of the visit include the opportunity to present ����ר�� status to the laboratory community, an informal US ����ר�� all-hands Q&A session, and a visit to ORNL fusion labs including test stands for ����ר�� plasma heating components and disruption mitigation studies. He also toured the now-under-construction Materials Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX), which will be a tool for studying plasma-materials interactions for future fusion devices.

US ����ר�� is managed by ORNL, in partnership with Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and Savannah River National Laboratory, under the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, Fusion Energy Sciences.

See the US ����ר�� website .

Ever wonder how scientists are trying to recreate the power of the sun on Earth? In our latest ����ר�� podcast episode, we dive into the fascinating world of tokamaks—donut-shaped magnetic cages that could be the key to unlimited clean energy. Join us in Season 3 of the ����ר�� podcast as we unravel the mysteries of fusion with expert insights from ����ר�� scientists, exploring how decades of research are bringing us closer to harnessing the same energy that powers stars. From tiny experimental devices to massive reactors, discover the incredible journey of fusion science and why tokamaks might just be humanity's most promising path to sustainable power.

Episode 2 of Behind the Science of Fusion is available now.

Look up "Tokamaks" on the podcast page of the ����ר�� website or open it directly here. You can also find the ����ר�� podcast at , , , , and .

The prestigious Women in Nuclear (WiN) Global Excellence Award is a chance to celebrate an individual who has communicated consistently, effectively and positively the key messages for the nuclear industry and nuclear applications.

The successful candidate will be offered free registration at the WiN Global 32nd Annual Conference in London (14-18 July 2025) and the opportunity to speak at the Annual Conference.

For application criteria see the . Apply by 13 April 2025.

Fusion Power Associates is calling out for nominations for two awards:

* The 2025 Leadership and Distinguished Career Awards (nominations are sought by 1 August). No supporting material is required for these nominations, although supporting statements are appreciated.

* The 2025 Excellence in Fusion Engineering Awards (Nominations are sought by 15 August). The purpose is to recognize individuals in the early part of their careers (maximum age 42) with both technical accomplishment and demonstrated leadership qualities. Nominating material should include the candidate's bio and letters of recommendation, including at least one letter from outside the nominee's home institution. 

Nominations and nominating material should preferably be sent electronically to @email.

The purpose, criteria and list of previous recipients for all awards are posted at (click on Awards). For questions contact: @email

From 13 April to 13 October 2025, the will open its gates in Osaka, Japan. As part of the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” 158 countries and organizations will showcase—in spectacular fashion—their cultural heritage and forward-thinking projects.

As part of the EXPO2025, ����ר�� will have a prominent presence in the International Organizations Pavilion, where we will present the promise of fusion energy and the global collaboration that drives our pursuit of this transformative energy source.

Half-way through the six-month exhibition, on 13 July, ����ר�� will host a special FUSION DAY in the National Day Hall with presentations, animations and video screenings.

If you are interested to visit the ����ר�� exhibit or if you would like to attend the Special Fusion Day, please write to @email.

We very much look forward to seeing you in Osaka.

Sign up before 1 April 2025 for this year's ����ר�� International School on the topic of "Integrated Modelling in Magnetic Fusion Plasmas." The school will take place in Aix-en-Provence, France, from 30 June to 4 July 2025.

The scientific program, with 15 lectures and a half-day planned at ����ר��, is now available on the School's . The deadline for pre-registration & abstract submission is 1 April 2025.

See this poster for distribution in your institutes and universities.

The ����ר�� Business Forum 2025 (IBF/25) will take place in Marseille, France, from 23 to 25 April 2025.

Through plenary sessions, workshops, and B2B meetings, expand your network and meet key players in the fusion supply chain, from regional and international companies to innovators shaping the future of energy. Get the latest on the ����ר�� baseline and procurement opportunities, and meet representatives of the private fusion sector and its supply chain needs.

A general overview of the agenda is and includes 16 themed workshops bringing together experts from many different horizons. For supply chain companies, the Forum offers the opportunity to learn about a broader range of procurement needs. For startups, it enables concentrated access to a global set of companies with fusion-specific capabilities. Registration is open now. For industrial exhibitors, the deadline for registration is 28 March 2025.

Visit the  for more information.

All interested parties are also welcome at the second Private Sector Fusion Workshop, to be hosted at the ����ר�� site right before IBF/25, on 22-23 April 2025 (priority will be given to participation by private sector fusion initiatives). See all information on this website.

From 19-20 February 2025 the historic city of Aachen, Germany—the main residence of Charlemagne—hosted the first binding.energy¹ conference, an international gathering on nuclear technology. Around 130 experts, 50 of them online, joined the discussions on the latest advancements in both fission and fusion technologies.

Organized by the German company Actimondo, provided a platform to share views on challenges and opportunities in nuclear technology such as material science, political strategy, private sector growth, regulatory framework, emerging markets, supply chain development, radiation protection, as well as workforce development and education.

����ר��’s Deputy Director Alain Becoulet presented a comprehensive project update. At its stand in the small exhibition area, ����ר�� was joined by FuseNet whose Executive Officer Dario Cruz also presented education opportunities for young fusion experts in Europe.

¹The name of the conference, binding.energy, stems from a phenomenon in physics which describes the smallest amount of energy required to remove a particle from a system of particles. 

Save the Date! The FuseNet PhD Event 2025 will take place at ����ר�� from 4 to 6 November 2025. 

The annual PhD Event is organized by the European Fusion Education Network, , as a network event. Meet and greet fellow fusion researchers from Europe and expand your network. The event features high-profile keynote speakers, a top-notch scientific program and the much anticipate PechaKucha contest, where students present their research in 20 slides, 20 seconds per slide.  

All information will be posted on in the coming months.