The NEA launched the Nuclear Education, Skills and Technology (NEST) Framework in partnership with its member countries to help address important gaps in nuclear skills capacity building, knowledge transfer and technical innovation in an international context. It aims to maintain and build both technical and non-technical skills and competences through multinational research and training projects and activities for promising students and young professionals from around the world. The NEST Framework Agreement entered into force on 15 February 2019 and has been developed as an NEA joint undertaking, gathering private and public organisations from interested countries.

The goal of NEST is to:

• energise advanced students to pursue careers in the nuclear field by proposing a multinational framework among interested countries to maintain and build skills and competencies;
• establish international links between universities, research institutes and industry;
• attract scientists and engineers from other disciplines to examine nuclear technology issues and work to resolve real-world problems.

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NEST added-value and benefits

The main added-value and benefits for NEST Fellows are:

• fast track to leadership; 
• gaining multidisciplinary skills and competencies through hands-on training;
• access to state-of-the-art facilities;
• opportunity to develop networks through multinational co-operation;
• participation in challenging and innovative activities.

How NEST works

NEST runs projects that target specific areas of nuclear science and technology where skills need to be developed. NEST Projects are multi-disciplinary and must involve at least three NEST countries. Each project brings together one lead organisation along with other organisations (from universities to industry) that wish to co-operate to develop the skills of their workforce. Students or young professionals are invited to complete a Fellowship in an organisation and country other than their own, usually for a period of one to twelve months.

The main actors in the NEST Framework are as follows:

• NEST Countries
• NEST Management Board and Bureau 
• NEST Projects 
• NEST Fellows 

These actors are coordinated by the NEST Secretariat.

How to join NEST 

If you are interested in participating in NEST, please consult the guidance on how to join the NEST Framework. 

NEST Fellows speak

Unleashing the transformative power of NEST: Watch the video to experience its impact through the eyes of its Fellows.

Alumni Network

You can join the private NEST Fellows Alumni LinkedIn Group. This is a closed group only for NEST Fellows Alumni. If you encounter any issues, please send an e-mail to nest@oecd-nea.org