IGD-TP Exchange Forum 2025 – Registration now open!
02/06/2025
Registration now open!
We are delighted to announce that registration is now open for the IGD-TP’s 10th international Exchange Forum on research, development and demonstration (RD&D) challenges in geological disposal programmes for radioactive waste. Hosted by SÚRAO in November 2025, the event is open to all IGD-TP members and stakeholders interested in geological disposal of radioactive waste.
Geological disposal projects are first-of-a-kind projects, span several decades, and are multi-billion endeavours. National waste management organisations (WMOs) are at different stages on the path to implementing geological disposal and each stage (site identification and investigation, licensing, construction and operation) has particular challenges. The national WMOs will share RD&D challenges that each is facing in their current activities and how these are being approached. The Exchange Forum is an opportunity to share lessons learnt and to discuss future research plans.
Our 10th Exchange Forum provides an excellent opportunity to:
- Discuss new issues and the status of WMO programmes.
- Learn about WMO emerging and ongoing RD&D priorities.
- Explore the potential for collaborative research with IGD-TP members and the broader radioactive waste community.
- Present a poster on your work in the field of geological disposal and take advantage of great networking opportunities.
- Visit research and disposal facilities in the Czech Republic.
- Experience the wonderful city of Prague.
Poster sessions will be held to showcase radioactive waste management RD&D that aligns to the IGD‑TP’s Strategic Research Agenda. Exchange Forum participants are strongly encouraged to submit poster applications that are consistent with this goal.
Talks and posters presented at the Exchange Forum will be made available online after the event where possible.
The third day provides an opportunity for attendees to tour the Bukov Underground Research Facility, the Richard Repository, or the laboratories at Research Centre Řež. Tour numbers are limited.
The EURAD Bureau will also host a separate meeting on the afternoon of 26 November. The aim of this meeting is to further develop the long-listed proposals for the second wave of EURAD-2 funding. Registration for this meeting is through the same registration system as for the Exchange Forum.
You can find out more information in the second announcement and on the dedicated IGD-TP Exchange Forum 2025 webpage. Or you can go straight to the registration page here. We look forward to seeing you there!
Related Documents
IGD-TP Exchange Forum 2025 – First Announcement
Description: IGD-TP Exchange Forum 2025 - First Announcement (issued 14 March 2025, revised 13 April 2025)
Last updated: March 14, 2025
IGD-TP Exchange Forum 2025 – Second Announcement and Call for Posters
Description: IGD-TP Exchange Forum 2025 - Second Announcement and Call for Posters (issued 2 June 2025)
Last updated: June 2, 2025
IGD-TP Members Participating in the Activity
ANDRA
Member of Executive Group
Agence Nationale pour la gestion des déchets radioactifs
The French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency.
Contact: Stephan Schumacher Send message
BGE (Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung mbH)
Member of Executive Group
The German national waste management organisation.
Contact: Astrid Göbel Send message
COVRA
Member of Executive Group
Centrale Organisatie Voor Radioactief Afval
Contact: Ewoud Verhoef Send message
ENRESA
Member of Executive Group
Empresa Nacional de Residuos Radioactivos S.A.
Contact: Mariano Navarro Send message
Contact: Juan-Carlos Major Send message
Nagra
Member of Executive Group
Nationale Genossenschaft für die Lagerung radioaktiver Abfälle
Contact: Irina Gaus Send message
Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) [Previously RWM]
Member of Executive Group
Nuclear Waste Services (changed from Radioactive Waste Management Limited in 2022)
Contact: Jonathan Martin Send message
ONDRAF/NIRAS
Member of Executive Group
The Belgian Agency for Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials
Contact: Maarten Van Geet Send message
Posiva Oy
Member of Executive Group
Nuclear Waste Management Expert
Contact: Petteri Vuorio Send message
Contact: Johanna Hansen Send message
PURAM
Member of Executive Group
Public Limited Company for Radioactive Waste Management
Contact: Bálint Nős Send message
Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB (SKB)
Member of Executive Group
Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB
Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Co.
Contact: Anni Fritzell Send message
SÚRAO
Member of Executive Group
Správa úložišť radioaktivních odpadů
Radioactive Waste Repository Authority, Czechia
Contact: Lukáš Vondrovic Send message
Contact: Markéta Dohnálková Send message
Related Research Areas
Key Topic 1: Post-closure Safety Case
Research in this area aims to consider how consistent safety cases across the different waste management programmes can be developed, how safety assessment concepts and models can be developed and refined, and how sensitivity and uncertainty treatment can be improved.
Key Topic 2: Wasteforms and their Behaviour
This research aims to improve understanding of the behaviour of various wastes in geological disposal facilities in order to better quantify the processes controlling radionuclide, chemical and gas release from waste forms, to improve the quality of models used in safety assessments and to adequately define the types and magnitudes of uncertainties associated with various processes.
Key Topic 3: Technical Feasibility and Long-term Performance
This research area involves demonstrating and optimising technology and construction of a repository and its components, including confirming a feasible and safe operational phase and ensuring that the required safety functions are provided in the long-term after repository closure.
Key Topic 4: Implementation and Optimisation
This research area deals with the integration of new developments during the lifetime of a geological repository.
Key Topic 5: Construction and Operational Safety
This research area is concerned with the protection of operators and members of the public that might possibly be affected by construction and operations in or at geological disposal facilities.
Key Topic 6: Monitoring
Monitoring research includes practical monitoring technologies and techniques, as well as monitoring strategies and programmes.
Key Topic 7: Methodologies for Site Characterisation
This research area focuses on R&D activities that are essential for site characterisation to identify gaps and needs related to this topic. The topic is linked to exploration and investigation programmes, site information, data management and syntheses for the purpose of iterative safety assessments.
Key Topic 8: Strategy for Repository Project Development
This research area concerns issues surrounding the movement from a disposal concept, to an established project, through to facility siting and operation, both in national and multi-national projects.
Key Topic 9: Knowledge Management
The management of knowledge in repository development is one of the major challenges over the lifetime of a waste management programme. It covers all data and information and in particular the basis of the decisions made, which is a major requirement for the creation and preservation of knowledge related to openness, traceability and transparency.
Other IGD-TP Activities
The area summarises the projects and activities that do not sit within the specific research areas discussed elsewhere on this site.