The Grimsel Test Site (GTS) is a generic underground research laboratory (URL), owned and operated by Nagra and located in crystalline rocks in the Swiss Alps. The research activities at GTS started in 1984. Mont Terri (MT) is the second generic URL in Switzerland located in the Republic and Canton of Jura (RCJU) and constructed in the Opalinus Clay. It is operated by swisstopo, under yearly granted authorizations by RCJU. The research activities at MT started in 1996.

On the basis of its research, development and demonstration (RD&D) priorities Nagra has been actively involved in both URLs from the beginning. The RD&D priorities, and hence the activities, have been accordingly evolving with time and the advancement of the waste management program. Both URL’s have been key to provide the needed evidence from the field to the initial disposal feasibility studies to the current site selection and site license application milestones.