IAEA and George Washington University Law School Launch Partnership to Educate Next Generation of Nuclear Law Students

Nuclear law often operates behind the scenes, yet it provides the foundation that makes nuclear power possible. It creates the legal foundation for safety and security measures, safeguards against misuse, and liability frameworks throughout the entire lifecycle of nuclear facilities. Without these legal frameworks, even the most advanced technology cannot be deployed safely and securely. The field bridges international governance, national legislation and highly technical standards— an intersection that makes nuclear law both essential and complex.

Daily sessions are designed to transform how students understand nuclear energy from a legal perspective. The first week lays the groundwork by introducing the international legal architecture, key institutions and the core instruments that govern nuclear activities. The second week focuses on cutting-edge topics such as small modular reactors, fusion energy, space applications, maritime uses and the intricate legal considerations of financing and contracting nuclear projects.

GW’s foundational involvement in the nuclear field makes it a well-positioned partner for the Summer School, the first course of its kind.  In 1939, George Washington University hosted the Fifth Washington Conference on Theoretical Physics, where physicist Niels Bohr first publicly announced the discovery of nuclear fission on 26 January 1939. This pivotal event marked the beginning of the “atomic age” and was commemorated with a plaque at GW in 1945. Passage of the USA’s Atomic Energy Act in 1954 marked the transition of nuclear power from military to civilian uses, in part by breaking the government monopoly over the technology and enabling private ownership and innovation.  In response to this global shift, GW Law recognized the urgent need for a specialized legal discipline to govern this powerful new technology. Consequently, GW Law began teaching nuclear law in the 1954-55 academic year, becoming a pioneer in the field and establishing a legacy of expertise that continues today.

The program targets graduate law students from IAEA member countries, with limited places reserved for students in related technical disciplines such as engineering and physics. 

Participants who complete the rigorous programme will earn a joint certificate from the IAEA and GW Law School. Applications will open in the New Year. Detailed information will be available on both institutions' websites.

More information is found here.