The method for setting nuclear safety research priorities and the criteria for ranking programmes and projects, including for their closure, vary from one country to another. This collective statement addresses good practices in conducting nuclear safety research and focuses on closure considerations. It also considers the effects that closure can have for regulators and the industry, including potential losses of technical capability, expertise and facilities. The intended readership is primarily research managers, regulatory organisations and research centres. Government authorities, nuclear power plant operators and the general public may also be interested.