In response to increasing interest in high-temperature, gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) and the need for improved knowledge of materials for nuclear applications that resist high temperatures, the NEA organised a first information exchange meeting on basic studies in the field of high-temperature engineering. The proceedings of the meeting cover studies on irradiation effects on advanced materials, safety-related behaviour of HTGRs and in-pile reactor instrumentation development. They also include recommendations for further promotion of international collaboration.