The European Commission, through Fusion for Energy (F4E), has approved an investment of €202 million for the construction and commissioning of the IFMIF-DONES particle accelerator, located in Escúzar (Granada), which represents around 25% of the project’s total cost.

IFMIF-DONES forms part of the European roadmap for developing fusion energy, a new model of clean and virtually unlimited energy, like that produced at the core of the Sun and stars.

Minister Diana Morant welcomed the news, stating: “We are taking firm steps in a strategic project that, with the support of the European Commission, tackles the global challenge of overcoming the energy crisis and places Spain at the forefront of fusion energy research.”

For his part, Marc Lachaise, Director of Fusion for Energy (F4E), the EU organisation for fusion based in Barcelona, stated: “The approval of the European contribution to IFMIF-DONES sends a clear message: Europe is committed to making fusion energy a reality through the work of F4E’s teams and aspires to lead in this field.”

Lachaise also noted that “IFMIF-DONES is now officially part of the European roadmap to fusion. With this €202 million investment, F4E will engage industry, SMEs and research centres across Europe through various contracts. IFMIF-DONES is a project tackling a strategic technology in the energy sector, and the European Union has reaffirmed its support.”

Funding for the construction of IFMIF-DONES

The contribution, approved during a meeting held on 10–11 July 2025 at the Fusion for Energy (F4E) headquarters in Barcelona, was contingent on Spain securing full funding for the construction of the scientific facility and establishing an appropriate legal framework.

Both conditions have now been met thanks to the confirmed participation of Croatia, Japan and Italy, as well as the drafting of an agreement that will regulate the collaboration between the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the IFMIF-DONES Spain Consortium, the European Commission, Fusion for Energy (F4E), Croatia, Japan, and other potential participating countries.

The core element of the DONES Programme

The IFMIF-DONES scientific infrastructure is the core element of the DONES Programme, which aims to establish a comprehensive database on fusion materials.

IFMIF-DONES is a neutron source based on a high-current particle accelerator, developed for the testing, qualification and licensing of materials capable of withstanding the extreme conditions to which components of the first wall of future fusion reactors will be exposed.

One of the key challenges in making fusion energy a reality is the development of neutron-tolerant materials that can endure a neutron flux of up to 14 MeV while maintaining favourable physical and structural properties over long periods.

Currently, engineering materials data, properties and standards are based on neutron irradiation campaigns using fission, and do not fully cover the neutron energies, temperatures, and other operating conditions expected in fusion environments.

Benefits for multiple scientific fields

The IFMIF-DONES particle accelerator will generate results that can benefit various scientific and technological fields, including medicine, nuclear physics and different industrial applications.

The IFMIF-DONES project is being implemented through the IFMIF-DONES Spain Consortium, established by an agreement formalised in 2021 between the Government of Spain and the Regional Government of Andalusia, and attached to the General State Administration.