Founded in 1956, the Research Institute of Atomic Reactors became the Joint Stock Company State Scientific Center – Research Institute of Atomic Reactors. RIAR is now home to six of Russia's 62 research reactors. [1] Employing HEU-fueled research reactors, RIAR carries out research related to the nuclear fuel cycle, particularly fuel fabrication and reprocessing technologies, as well as radioactive waste management. Additionally, RIAR manufactures radionuclides and radioactive sources for medicine.

RIAR explores civil uses of atomic energy and conducts research on nuclear physics. Specifically, RIAR is involved in reactor materials science, methods of testing nuclear power plant materials; nuclear reactor safety; the nuclear fuel cycle; environmentally safe technologies; and other energy-related technologies. [2]

Many of RIAR's research reactor types consume 90%-enriched uranium dioxide fuel. The use of highly enriched uranium has made some models of the RIAR reactors, including the MIR rest reactor, ideal candidates for the U.S. NNSA-managed Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors (RERTR) program. [3]

Sources:
[1] "Research reactors: Russia," International Panel on Fissile Materials, undated, fissilematerials.org (accessed 17 October 2012).
[2] RIAR website, undated, www.niiar.ru (accessed 18 October 2012).
[3] Valentin Ivanov, Russian Academy of Sciences "Research reactors in Russia. Status and prospects for reducing the fuel enrichment", Presentation for RF-US joint committee, Washington, D.C., 2010, http://dels.nas.edu (accessed 04 February 2013).