Report on the organization of nuclear awards

The ENEN2plus project, funded by the European Union, aims to strengthen and sustain nuclear education, training, and knowledge management across Europe. Deliverable D2.3 presents a comprehensive overview of the project’s nuclear award initiatives, which are designed to promote interest, excellence, and public engagement in nuclear science and technology among diverse target groups—from secondary school pupils to PhD students. To attract younger audiences, ENEN2plus organized video competitions in conjunction with nuclear science camps in Hungary (2023) and Italy (2025). These competitions engaged secondary school teams to creatively showcase nuclear applications through short videos. The finalists were invited to attend international science camps, where they presented their work. Across both years, nearly 200 submissions were received from 19 countries, reflecting broad European and international interest. A STEM Award for secondary school teachers was introduced to recognize innovative efforts in promoting science and nuclear topics in classrooms. Four laureates were honoured based on impact, creativity, and relevance to nuclear education, and were invited to participate in an ENEN2plus-IAEA teachers’ workshop. For university-level students, ENEN2plus hosted BSc and MSc thesis competitions integrated with summer schools in Slovakia (2024) and Hungary (2025). Participants were selected based on their thesis work. The 2024 competition featured 40 finalists from 29 countries and awarded distinctions in categories spanning nuclear physics, radiation protection, medical physics, and waste management. The 2025 competition featured 41 finalists from 40 countries and awarded distinctions in categories spanning nuclear physics and engineering, radiation protection and nuclear energy, medical physics, and waste management and other. PhD candidates were recognized through the annual ENEN PhD Event and Prize, held in collaboration with major nuclear events such as ENYGF (2023), ECMP (2024), and FISA-EURADWASTE (2025). Finalists presented their research to expert juries and peers, with three to four laureates selected annually to receive funding for conference participation. These events emphasized scientific excellence, communication skills, and the relevance of doctoral research. The 20th edition will be held during the PHYSOR in 2026. Overall, the ENEN2plus awards have proven to be an effective and inclusive strategy to foster nuclear literacy and public engagement. By linking these awards to educational and scientific events, the project has maximized visibility, impact, and resource efficiency—contributing meaningfully to the sustainability of nuclear education and the development of the future nuclear workforce in Europe.