IAEA Launches Global Training School to Strengthen Regulation of Small Modular Reactors

Hosted by Poland’s National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA), the event comes at a pivotal moment as global interest in SMRs continues to surge.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has launched its first-ever Pilot School for Regulating Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), bringing together expert regulators from 17 countries for an intensive programme aimed at strengthening global capacity to oversee emerging nuclear technologies. The pilot session, held in Warsaw, Poland, marks a major step toward building the regulatory infrastructure needed to support the safe deployment of next-generation reactor designs.

Hosted by Poland’s National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA), the event comes at a pivotal moment as global interest in SMRs continues to surge. More than 80 SMR designs are currently under development worldwide, positioning the technology as a potential game-changer in the transition to clean, reliable, low-carbon energy systems.

A New Era of Nuclear Innovation Demands Stronger Oversight

Small modular reactors are designed to be more flexible, scalable, and potentially more affordable than conventional large reactors. Because they produce lower power outputs and can be factory-assembled, SMRs offer promising solutions for decarbonizing hard-to-electrify sectors such as industry, district heating, mining, and remote communities.

However, their diverse designs and novel safety concepts present unprecedented regulatory and licensing challenges.

“Equipping stakeholders with the right knowledge and tools is essential to ensure the safe and efficient deployment of SMRs worldwide,” said Anna Bradford, Director of the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Installation Safety. “With more than 80 SMR designs under development globally, it is critical that nuclear safety and security be integrated as early as possible.”

The pilot school aims to provide Member States with a structured learning environment to deepen understanding of SMR safety frameworks, regulatory processes, and international best practices.

Poland’s Regulatory Readiness for New Reactor Technologies

The event held particular significance for Poland, a country preparing to embark on nuclear energy deployment for the first time. PAA President Andrzej Głowacki described the pilot school as an important milestone in Poland’s preparations:

“Although we do not have a nuclear power plant yet, the PAA has been intensively preparing to receive the first construction application in the coming years,” he said. He emphasized that Poland is developing new regulatory approaches for SMRs encompassing safety, security, and safeguards, noting that “an efficient regulator needs to be well prepared before new projects start.”

Poland’s participation reflects its growing interest in both large-scale reactors and multiple SMR projects proposed by private and industrial consortia.

Case Studies and International Perspectives

The programme featured presentations from regulators in France, Canada, and the United States, each of which has made significant progress in developing licensing pathways for advanced reactor designs. These countries shared insights on:

• Adapting existing regulatory frameworks to account for novel SMR features

• Experience with pre-licensing vendor design reviews

• Defence-in-depth approaches tailored to smaller reactors

• Use of graded regulatory approaches

• Strategies for evaluating multi-module reactor configurations

Representatives from the SMR Regulators’ Forum provided updates on common regulatory positions regarding design safety principles, technical reviews, and international cooperation mechanisms.

Participants also engaged in practical case studies addressing licensing procedures, safety analyses, and regulatory decision-making approaches, giving regulators hands-on experience with real-world challenges.

Strengthening International Regulatory Cooperation

One of the key outcomes of the pilot school was the reaffirmation of the importance of global regulatory cooperation in ensuring consistent and effective oversight of SMRs. The IAEA emphasized its commitment to supporting peer learning and harmonizing regulatory approaches as SMR deployment accelerates worldwide.

The IAEA plans to evolve the pilot programme into a recurring modular training curriculum, consisting of:

1. Basic Module: SMR Safety Fundamentals

Covering core safety principles, regulatory responsibilities, and fundamentals of SMR technologies.

2. Intermediate Module: Design Reviews

Using real case studies to guide participants through design assessment, risk evaluation, and safety performance criteria.

3. Advanced Module: Regulatory Challenges

Including detailed analysis of licensing pathways, graded approaches, defence-in-depth, and lessons from the SMR Regulators’ Forum.

The school will be held annually under the IAEA’s SMR Technical Cooperation Interregional Programme, with the next session planned for April/May 2026.

A Global Programme Filling a Critical Gap

According to Paula Calle Vives, Senior IAEA Technical Officer and lead organizer of the school:

“There is currently no comparable international programme offering this level of technical and regulatory depth for SMR governance. The Pilot School underscores the importance of information exchange in shaping global approaches to SMR regulation.”

Her remarks highlight a major gap in the global nuclear landscape: while SMRs hold great promise, many countries lack the regulatory experience, technical resources, and workforce capacity needed to oversee their safe deployment.

The IAEA’s Broader Role in Supporting SMR Deployment

The pilot school is part of a broader suite of IAEA initiatives supporting newcomer and experienced nuclear countries as they prepare for SMR deployment, including:

• IAEA SMR Platform for coordination of technical and regulatory issues

• Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative (NHSI)

• SMR Regulators’ Forum

• Regulatory Cooperation Forum (RCF)

Since 2019, the IAEA has delivered regional workshops and technical missions aimed at building regulatory capacity for SMRs—particularly in countries without established nuclear programmes.

The school builds on these efforts by offering structured training, peer dialogue, and expert mentorship, helping countries align with international safety standards.

Positioning SMRs for a Safe, Scalable Global Rollout

As global energy systems shift toward decarbonization, SMRs have emerged as a key technological option for clean, firm, dispatchable power. But their success will depend on the ability of regulators to assess risks objectively, efficiently, and consistently across borders.

By establishing the world’s first international school dedicated to SMR regulation, the IAEA has taken a major step toward supporting safe, secure, and standardized deployment of these next-generation nuclear technologies.