The National Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology (INSTN) was created by the French Government in 1956. The Institute is a public higher education institute and continuing professional development organization. It is managed by the French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission (CEA).
INSTN is providing nuclear education programmes and training courses in the fields of power & industrial applications, and health applications of nuclear energy.
As a CEA institute, INSTN is in direct connection with advanced research. The institute plays a central role in Education and Training of the workforce of the French nuclear sector, dealing with all levels of qualifications, from craftsmen, technicians, engineers, up to PhDs.
Nuclear science is also made available to the wide public in order to develop public awareness and support decision making when addressing today societal challengees like global health, energy transition, environment protection. INSTN courses and programs provide the background for safe and efficient nuclear technologies and applications.
Major fields of expertise include nuclear power (NPP life cycle, nuclear fuel cycle) health applications (nuclear medicine, radiopharmacy, medical physics), and key transversal topics like nuclear safety, security and radiation protection, materials, nuclear project management… Recent technologies and developments are introduced progressively like Artificial Intelligence.
INSTN is also aiming at remaining at the forefront of learning methods and tools. This notably means to build all courses’ learning approaches on the expected learning outcomes that are derived from operational goals, taking into account the profile of the courses’ audience. Digital solutions are developped and introduced when and where necessary, and associated to the maximum possible extent to labworks, experience sharing, On The Job training. Recently, INSTN has launched a mixed reality platform (EVOC Nuclear Experience) as a complement to research reactors for education and training.
INSTN has always been involved in international cooperation in Europe and the world. INSTN was a founding member of ENEN and has been an IAEA collaborating centre since 2016; the 2025 – 2029 designation period covers IAEA activities in the fields of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Safety and security.