Regular Article

The PIANOFORTE partnership: Elevating European research for enhanced radiation protection

¹ Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire et de Radioprotection (ASNR) BP 17 92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses, Cedex France
² SCK CEN Boeretang 200 2400 Mol Belgium
³ Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz (BfS) Postfach 10 01 49 D-38201 Salzgitter Germany
⁴ MBW Department, Stockholm University Svante Arrheniusväg 20C 10691 Stockholm Sweden
⁵ UK Health Security Agency Harwell Campus Didcot OX11 0RQ UK
⁶ National Radiation Protection Institute, Bartoškova 1450/28, Praha 4 140 00 Czech Republic
⁷ Narodowe Centrum Badań i Rozwoju (NCBR) Chmielna 69 00-801 Warsaw Poland
⁸ Otto-von-Guericke University Otto-Hahn-Str. 2 39106 Magdeburg Germany

^* e-mail: jacqueline.garnierlaplace@asnr.fr

Received: 8 November 2024
Received in final form: 14 February 2025
Accepted: 17 March 2025
Published online: 7 May 2025

Abstract

The PIANOFORTE partnership (2022–2029) aims to enhance radiation protection for the public, patients, workers, and the environment across various exposure scenarios. This European initiative addresses key barriers in health and environmental risk research related to ionising radiation and promotes findings that support effective radiation protection policies. By building a comprehensive pan-European scientific and technological foundation, PIANOFORTE ensures that the radiation protection system remains fit-for-purpose, delivers science-based policy recommendations and improved practices across sectors using nuclear technology and ionising radiation, including both energy-related and non-energy applications. In the medical field, PIANOFORTE works to reduce uncertainties in health risk estimates and support innovations in cancer diagnosis and therapies. Other key priorities include developing reliable methods for evaluating radiation protection related to new technologies and managing radiation emergencies, improving strategies for both immediate response and long-term recovery. The Partnership's multi-stage prioritisation mechanism of research needs ensures that developed efforts reflect the perspectives of a broad range of stakeholders, including researchers, policy makers, regulators, implementers and practitioners. This inclusiveness aligns research priorities with pressing societal challenges, such as climate change impacts and nuclear technology safety. PIANOFORTE's open call process funds research projects that align with its strategic goals, expanding its network from 58 to 108 partners after inclusion of new partners of granted projects during the two first open calls. Additional calls will continue to foster collaboration and increase research capacity across Europe. By adopting FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data management practices and embracing open science, PIANOFORTE supports the broader radiation protection community in sharing infrastructure and research outcomes. Educational initiatives are central to PIANOFORTE's mission, as it builds Europe's expertise in radiation protection through training programmes for current and next generation scientists. Structured dialogue with stakeholders strengthens the Partnership's impact, bridging research and policy and helping to create a well-informed, resilient society capable of making sound, risk-aware decisions about nuclear and radiation-related issues.