INEST (The Institute of Nuclear Energy Safety Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences) was established in September 2011 based on FDS Team (the Team for Frontier Development of Science). It is devoted to the design and R&D of advanced nuclear energy and safety technology, and also an independent nuclear safety assessment center with the aim of promoting the sustainable development of nuclear science and technology. The research areas at INEST mainly include neutron physics, advanced fission energy, fusion energy, and extended nuclear technology applications.

There are more than 600 members at INEST and 80% researchers have PhD degrees. More than 200 domestic and international projects are being undertaken, including the National High-tech R&D Program of China (“ 863 Program”), National Basic Research Program of China (“ 973 Program”), National Key R&D Program of China, Mega Program of Natural Science Foundation of China, Strategic Priority Research Program of CAS, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) related domestic and international projects, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and International Energy Agency (IEA) cooperation projects, etc.

Several academic institutions and industrial organizations have been initiated and established by INEST, such as the Key Laboratory of Neutronics and Radiation Safety, CAS, the Anhui Technical Support Center of Nuclear Emergency, the Anhui Engineering Technology Research Center of Accurate Radiotherapy, China Joint Research Center of Fusion Nuclear Safety, International Co-operative Alliance for Small LEad-based Fast Reactors, China Industry Innovation Alliance of Lead-based Reactor, the Industry Alliance of High-Level Radiotherapy, etc. INEST has also been appointed as the Chinese representive of lead-cooled fast reactor program in the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China.

Adhering to the mission of “Better Nuclear Technology, Better Life”, INEST has performed encouraging work which reached the world-class level in field of advanced nuclear energy. More than 1000 papers have been published, eight of which have been indexed in the ESI (Essential Science Indicators) “Highly Cited Papers”. More than 10 national and provincial level awards and several international awards have been won including the European Prize for Innovation in Fusion Research, the American Nuclear Society FED Outstanding Achievements Awards and the National Natural Science Award conferred by President Xi Jinping.