The "Atom CIS" Commission Approved the Joint Research Program at the MBIR Reactor
22.12.2025
The "Atom CIS" Commission Approved the Joint Research Program at the MBIR Reactor
The program will bring together the expertise of leading scientific institutes from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan to tackle cutting edge challenges in nuclear science and technology
On December 17, 2025, at its meeting in Tashkent (Uzbekistan), the Commission of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Member States on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy approved the draft Joint Research Program for scientific organizations of the CIS countries. The work will be carried out at the unique multipurpose fast neutron research reactor (MBIR), which is under construction in Russia. The program is designed for the long term, from 2029 to 2040.
Thanks to the initiative of Rosatom, cooperation at the MBIR reactor has been elevated to the level of the "Atom CIS" Commission. Both CIS scientific organizations and Rosatom's research institutes participated in developing the program. The key research areas include testing new materials for reactor plants of future generations, developing advanced types of nuclear fuel and technologies for closing the fuel cycle; producing isotopes for medicine and industry, fundamental and applied research using neutron beams.
"By pooling efforts at the MBIR site, the CIS countries will be able to act as a single scientific and technical team. This will not only allow us to adapt to global changes but also to actively shape the global agenda in the field of nuclear energy of the new technological paradigm", – noted Maxim Dranov, Deputy Director General of Consortium Leader of IRC MBIR, LLC.
He added that the international status of the Research Center based at the MBIR reactor is an important aspect: experts from 41 organizations around the world are already involved in its work, including representatives from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. "Such a broad geographical reach creates an unprecedented level of global cooperation and strengthens MBIR’s position as a key element of the international research ecosystem", – emphasized Maxim Dranov.
For reference:
MBIR is a multipurpose fast-neutron research reactor with sodium coolant and the thermal capacity of approximately 150 MW. The reactor is under construction in Dimitrovgrad at the site of the State Scientific Center - Research Institute for Atomic Reactors (RIAR JSC, a part of the R&D division of Rosatom State Corporation) within the framework of the national technological leadership project "New Nuclear and Energy Technologies". The goal of the national project is to ensure Russia’s global leadership in nuclear technologies and achieve technological sovereignty in new energy technologies. In December, 2024 installation of the primary cooling circuit equipment and handling systems for the research reactor began. MBIR is intended for performance of reactor tests, production of radioisotopes, production of modified materials, as well as testing of new type equipment and systems. The unique capabilities of the new reactor are expected to accelerate development of solutions for the two-component nuclear power and the closed nuclear fuel cycle, as well as design of safe Generation IV nuclear power systems.
The International Research Center (IRC) in the form of an international consortium is established on the basis of MBIR reactor. The Consortium participants gain ‘fast track’ access to carry out the experiments needed for national programs of nuclear energy peaceful applications. The Consortium format allows for flexible use of the reactor resource for the demands of the scientific community. IRC MBIR Consortium is open to new members.
On December 17, 2025, at its meeting in Tashkent (Uzbekistan), the Commission of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Member States on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy approved the draft Joint Research Program for scientific organizations of the CIS countries. The work will be carried out at the unique multipurpose fast neutron research reactor (MBIR), which is under construction in Russia. The program is designed for the long term, from 2029 to 2040.
Thanks to the initiative of Rosatom, cooperation at the MBIR reactor has been elevated to the level of the "Atom CIS" Commission. Both CIS scientific organizations and Rosatom's research institutes participated in developing the program. The key research areas include testing new materials for reactor plants of future generations, developing advanced types of nuclear fuel and technologies for closing the fuel cycle; producing isotopes for medicine and industry, fundamental and applied research using neutron beams.
"By pooling efforts at the MBIR site, the CIS countries will be able to act as a single scientific and technical team. This will not only allow us to adapt to global changes but also to actively shape the global agenda in the field of nuclear energy of the new technological paradigm", – noted Maxim Dranov, Deputy Director General of Consortium Leader of IRC MBIR, LLC.
He added that the international status of the Research Center based at the MBIR reactor is an important aspect: experts from 41 organizations around the world are already involved in its work, including representatives from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. "Such a broad geographical reach creates an unprecedented level of global cooperation and strengthens MBIR’s position as a key element of the international research ecosystem", – emphasized Maxim Dranov.
For reference:
MBIR is a multipurpose fast-neutron research reactor with sodium coolant and the thermal capacity of approximately 150 MW. The reactor is under construction in Dimitrovgrad at the site of the State Scientific Center - Research Institute for Atomic Reactors (RIAR JSC, a part of the R&D division of Rosatom State Corporation) within the framework of the national technological leadership project "New Nuclear and Energy Technologies". The goal of the national project is to ensure Russia’s global leadership in nuclear technologies and achieve technological sovereignty in new energy technologies. In December, 2024 installation of the primary cooling circuit equipment and handling systems for the research reactor began. MBIR is intended for performance of reactor tests, production of radioisotopes, production of modified materials, as well as testing of new type equipment and systems. The unique capabilities of the new reactor are expected to accelerate development of solutions for the two-component nuclear power and the closed nuclear fuel cycle, as well as design of safe Generation IV nuclear power systems.
The International Research Center (IRC) in the form of an international consortium is established on the basis of MBIR reactor. The Consortium participants gain ‘fast track’ access to carry out the experiments needed for national programs of nuclear energy peaceful applications. The Consortium format allows for flexible use of the reactor resource for the demands of the scientific community. IRC MBIR Consortium is open to new members.