Frequently asked questions: GIF operating mode

Does the GIF have any legal basis? How does it operate?

The spirit of the GIF is based on principles stated in the Charter signed by its members (states or international organizations). The Charter recognizes the importance of increasing nuclear energy production through the development of future nuclear energy systems to preserve the environment as well as counter any proliferation risk. Signatories of the Charter agree to reach this goal through a strong international R&D cooperation program. A Technical Roadmap Report (December 2002) identifies the six most promising Gen-IV systems as well as the R&D necessary to advance these systems to technical maturity.

The GIF structure is as follows: it is an intergovernmental organization, spearheaded by a Policy Group, made up of state bodies or international organizations representing its members. The Policy Group is responsible for governing its overall framework and policies, as well as supporting the realization of the R&D programs by giving strategic leadership based on technical recommendations from GIF technical bodies (Expert Group, System Steering Committees).

The GIF's activities are based on a three-tier structure:

• A Framework Agreement, signed at government level, which describes the main guidelines of the R&D to be performed, as well as of the rules governing the ownership and use of results. The Framework Agreement was first signed in Washington on February 28th, 2005;
• System Arrangements: each of which corresponds to one of the six Gen-IV systems. It sets up, through a System Steering Committee, the framework for collaboration to plan and conduct the R&D work required for establishing the viability and performance of the corresponding Gen-IV system;
• Project Arrangements: each System Arrangement is implemented through one or mo re Project Arrangements aimed at carrying out R&D activities.

It is at the project arrangement level that the Forum's activities involve interaction and collaboration with all sectors of the international research community, including industry, academia, government and non-government organizations. Any entity in the public and private sector may be a prospective signatory of a Project Arrangement. This rule applies to an entity belonging to a country which has signed the Framework Agreement. For any other entity, prior unanimous approval from the Policy Group is required. Intellectual property and confidentiality issues are dealt with at the project arrangement level.

How is the GIF financed?

The involvement of a party in the Forum's activities related to a particular system depends entirely on the party's interest in that system, as well as on the availability of funds, personnel and other resources appropriated by that party. As a result, each party will control its own research management process. A general fund thus does not exist for research collaborations.

The only shared contributions expected from each party concern those incurred for the management of the Technical Secretariat tasks, provided by the OECD/NEA.

R&D activities are performed within Project Arrangements, in which are addressed matters such as, but not limited to, scope of work, estimated cost, proposed schedule, project management responsibilities, intellectual property rights, reporting requirements, and provisions concerning withdrawal of signatories. Information/data required for R&D activities are provided free of charge by each partner, according to given confidentiality rules. R&D tasks are then divided between partners and results are shared. The contribution by each party is then accounted for in the sharing of royalty fees resulting from any industrial application.

The global R&D activities performed within the GIF amount to approximately $400M/year.

Shouldn't it be the nuclear industry's job to develop and commercialize new reactors?

The GIF's goal is to foster international cooperation a mo ng countries, in order to produce the technological building blocks to be used by the industrial sector in the subsequent stage of the design of the nuclear systems to be deployed around 2030.

However, there is already strong involvement of industry in the GIF's current tasks, through the participation of industry experts in its R&D activities - experiments, analysis, design convergence, etc. - the signing of project arrangements, and the advice/recommendations provided by the SIAP (Senior Industry Advisory Panel) on long-term strategic issues including regulatory, commercial or technical issues.

In the field of design, the GIF activities are limited to what is needed for the management of R&D programmes and excludes activities related to the design engineering of specific concepts. Construction of prototypes is the step to be performed by the industrial sector, following the completion of GIF's R&D tasks. Consequently there will be much greater involvement of industry as one moves from the current viability phase of R&D, with its inherently long lead times and high degree of commercial risk, to one of demonstrator and prototype construction. Public funding is therefore essential if the GIF goals are to be realised.

How does a country become a member of the GIF? Why are some countries listed as being "non-active" members of the GIF? Is there any concern that these "non-active" members will withdraw completely from the GIF?

The Forum is an organization that has a specific goal: the development of concepts for one or more Generation IV systems that can be licensed, constructed, and operated in a manner that will provide a competitively priced and reliable supply of energy to the country or countries where such systems may be deployed, while satisfactorily addressing nuclear safety, waste, proliferation and public perception concerns. The GIF seeks maximum efficiency in its work for reaching this goal. As a result, membership of a country to the Forum is decided by its present members (unanimous approval required) on the basis of that country's nuclear program, as well as its capacity to contribute to the development of Gen-IV systems. Members are expected to maintain an appropriate level of active participation in collaborative projects, such as the participation in at least one significant collaborative project.

The status of "non-active member" is applicable only in the case of GIF founding members (the 9 members that signed the Charter in 2005, i.e. the present members except Switzerland, Euratom, Russia and China ) who do not then sign and ratify the Framework Agreement. For new members, this situation is no longer possible since a state can become a GIF member only once both the Charter and the Framework Agreement have been signed.

The possibility for a non-active member to withdraw completely from the GIF does exist. However, in such cases, any organization from that country can no longer participate in project arrangements without prior unanimous approval from the Policy Group.

Where are the GIF offices? What is the NEA's role in the GIF?

The GIF operates without independent or permanent physical offices, permanent staff or operational budget. R&D activities are performed in each member country. The GIF Policy Group meets 2 or 3 times a year, each meeting being hosted by one of its members. The meeting secretariat functions are carried out by the country whose representative chairs the Policy Group. Similarly, the Expert Group meetings also rotate around the participating countries. Other groups and committees are hosted on an ad hoc basis by the organisations whose staff are involved.

The Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is formally designated as the Depositary of the GIF Framework Agreement. The OECD/NEA (Nuclear Energy Agency) is also in charge of the GIF Technical Secretariat tasks. These involve a number of staff in its Paris headquarters. GIF members are expected to contribute to the cost of these activities (in cash and/or provision of cost-free experts). In addition, the OECD/NEA and IAEA are permanent observers at Policy Group meetings.

Watch an Introduction to Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems and the International Forum (requires Adobe Flash Player, or download in pdf format, 1.2 mb)

Download an Overview of the GIF (pdf, 161 kb)

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