MELODI: Multidisciplinary European Low Dose Initiative

Logo der Multidisciplinary European Low Dose Initiative (MELODI)

Logo of the Multidisciplinary European Low Dose Initiative (MELODI) (click on the picture for a larger view)


In its final report, the "High Level Expert Group on European Low Dose Risk Research" (HLEG) recommends to set up a European Platform dedicated to low dose risk research. The platform was given the acronym Multidisciplinary European Low Dose Initiative (MELODI).

Five of the national institutions responsible for radiation protection in their countries which have been participating in the HLEG have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) in order to initiate the process of setting up the MELODI platform. The process is described in an introductory document.

The purpose of MELODI is
  • to propose R&T priorities for Europe in its field of competence
    (EUROPE 2020 Strategy).
  • to seek the views of stakeholders on the priorities for research, keep them informed on progress made, and contribute to the dissemination of knowledge.
  • to interface with international partners like WHO and IAEA.
Since the initiation of MELODI the number of the partners is continuously growing. End of 2010 MELODI became a registered association with 15 members. A list of all partner organisations engaged in the MELODI platform and further documents related to MELODI are to be found on the MELODI website.

The development of MELODI was mainly promoted by annually held workshops, starting in 2009.
The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), on behalf of the MELODI signatories, organized the First MELODI Open Workshop in Stuttgart on September 28th and 29th 2009. 156 scientists, representatives of regulatory bodies and interested stakeholders from 23 European countries, the USA and Japan took an active part in the workshop and discussed the future development of low dose radiation research in Europe. A second MELODI workshop was be held in Paris from October 18 to 20, 2010, jointly organized and sponsored by IRSN and CEA. A third workshop will be held from November 2-4, 2011 in Rome, Italy, sponsored by ISS and ENEA.

The presentations, given during the workshops are available on the internet.

Based on the outcomes of the MELODI workshops 2009 and 2010 the Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) is under development. Here you can find the First Draft of SRA. Complementary to this long term research agenda, a short- to medium-term research agenda for R&T projects was developed. This agenda will improve the scientific basis for radiation protection in Europe giving guidance for pending EURATOM R&T project calls.

Complementary to this MELODI process, the EC-funded Network of Excellence "Low Dose Research towards Multidisciplinary Integration ("DoReMi") has started its work in 2010 with the aim to address key research questions and needs in the field of low dose risk research and to support the establishment of the MELODI platform.
The Federal Office for Radiation Protection | Contact us | State of 2011/06/08