About Us

The Nuclear Institute is the professional membership body dedicated to nuclear

Vision: A connected community of nuclear professionals delivering a sustainable future

Mission: Driving the professional standards for the nuclear community.

Purpose: To promote nuclear professionalism and excellence, and to enhance public trust and understanding in nuclear.

We represent over 5000 professionals at all levels across nuclear, from energy to defence, medicine to space. We add genuine value to the career journey of every individual and, as a collective, we are a highly valued and respected network, ready to capitalise on opportunities ahead as the industry enters the biggest growth period in its history.

Working with individual and organisations to facilitate continuing professional development, we provide independent recognition and accreditation of nuclear professionals through the Nuclear Professionalism Standard ®, the independently defined standard for nuclear professionalism.

We are licensed by the Engineering Council, Science Council and Society for the Environment to charter and register those working in these disciplines. However our membership is broad and we are open to anyone working in any aspect of nuclear.

By joining the NI you will benefit from the industry-wide recognition this brings, with membership providing assurance to employers and clients that you are suitably qualified, independently verified nuclear professional.

Our Communities 

Our Young Generation Network (YGN) is a vibrant and active group who are shaping the future of our sector, facilitating knowledge transfer between generations, promoting STEM careers and engaging with society on the role of nuclear energy.

We also have a strong number of Special Interest Groups (SIGs), encouraging knowledge dissemination within areas such as security, Artificial Intelligence, SMRs and underpinning policy development.

Every UK region also has its own Branch, connecting members in the area through networking events, site visits, dinners and seminars, as well as supporting the delivery of our charitable objectives.

Our History

The Nuclear Institute was established on 1 January 2009, through the unification of two different nuclear institutions, the Institute of Nuclear Engineers (INucE) and the British Nuclear Energy Society (BNES). However our origins actually pre-date that by over 60 years when the UK was one of the first countries with homegrown nuclear energy.

Since the world’s first nuclear power station opened in Cumbria in 1956, nuclear has been a stable, low-carbon energy source for the country, producing enough electricity to power every home in the UK for 18 and a half years.

Recent years have been transformative for the Nuclear Institute and as we look to the future, we should be excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. The nuclear industry is entering a new era of growth and innovation, and the Institute is poised to play a crucial role in shaping that future.

Our People

The Nuclear Institute is made up of our HQ Team, our Board of Trustees, Committees plus our communities; a thriving network of Regional Branches, the Young Generation Network (YGN), Special Interest Groups, Expert Forums, and our volunteer network.

Our HQ Team performs the essential job of enabling the day-to-day running of the Institute, coordinating the membership, events, administration, marketing and finance of the organisation. They also act as a hub for communication across the Institute and externally to partners and stakeholders. 

The Board of Trustees is responsible for overseeing the Institute's business model, values and objectives. The Board works directly with the HQ Team and also delegates some responsibilities to Committees. 

Our Communities 

Our nine Regional Branches operate in key nuclear industry locations in the UK, with their own organising committees to build a community of nuclear professionals in their respective areas. Branches are very proactive in both delivering the Institute’s charitable objectives and meeting members’ needs with seminars, dinners, networking events, outreach and technical tours throughout the year. 

The Young Generation Network (YGN) comprises of all Nuclear Institute members aged 37 and under. The YGN encourages, develops and engages early career nuclear professionals, and ensures that their voice is heard in shaping the future of our sector.