The IAEA and AtkinsRéalis, a global engineering services and nuclear company and the original equipment manufacturer of CANDU reactor technology deployed worldwide, have agreed to strengthen cooperation in support of women pursuing careers in nuclear science and technology.
Under a new partnership agreement signed today at the World Nuclear Exhibition in Paris, AtkinsRéalis will provide a monetary contribution to the IAEA’s Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP). In addition, the company will support a number of MSCFP fellows in the 2026/2027 academic year, providing bursaries to cover tuition costs of the fellows to pursue graduate studies in nuclear-engineering related fields.
The MSCFP, established in 2020, aims to increase the participation of women in nuclear science by providing scholarships for master’s programmes in nuclear related subjects and by facilitating internships through the IAEA. More than 760 women from 129 countries have been selected since its launch, with a growing number supported by contributions from governments, organizations and industry partners.
“Our partnership with AtkinsRéalis reflects the IAEA’s commitment to working with innovative and non-traditional partners to shape the future of nuclear energy,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. “Together, we are strengthening the foundations of a safe and sustainable nuclear sector — and investing in the people who will lead it, through initiatives such as the IAEA’s Marie Sk?odowska-Curie Fellowship Programme.”
“With a global nuclear market for 1,000 reactor new builds, advancements in new technologies like SMRs and nuclear fusion, and rising AI-driven energy demand, the need for highly skilled talent has never been greater,” said Ian L. Edwards, President & CEO, AtkinsRéalis. “As an original equipment manufacturer of nuclear technology, recruiting and retaining top talent, including women in science and engineering, is a top priority. By partnering with the IAEA, we are furthering our legacy of supporting women in engineering around the world.”
AtkinsRéalis brings decades of expertise across the nuclear lifecycle – from design and new build projects to life extension, decommissioning, and waste management. Its participation in the MSCFP reflects the company’s broader commitment to fostering an innovative and inclusive nuclear workforce, while helping to meet the increasing global demand for nuclear energy solutions.
The partnership builds on the IAEA’s growing collaboration with private sector organizations to advance peaceful nuclear technologies and support the next generation of nuclear professionals. With AtkinsRéalis’ support, more women will gain the skills and opportunities to contribute to nuclear innovation, from energy security and climate change mitigation to applications in health and medicine.
Launched in 2020 by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP) is named after the pioneering physicist and two-time Nobel laureate Marie Sklodowska-Curie. The programme empowers women to pursue degrees of their choosing by easing the financial burden of their studies, and provides the opportunity to pursue internships at the IAEA or with partner organizations like the IAEA Collaborating Centres.