This seminar is aimed at giving a general presentation of the current status of the nuclear energy production for civil purposes. This thematic is approached from the nuclear fuel cycle point of view. The main aspects of the existing nuclear fuel cycles (“once-through” and “Pu-recycling”cycles) are presented at first. In particular, some details are treated about the fuel preparation, in-pile behaviour, and spent fuel conditioning and disposal. In the second part of the seminar, advanced solutions are presented about the design of nuclear systems of the future (“Generation IV”), including non-standard fuel concepts, and the spent fuel conditioning (“Partitioning and Transmutation”, “Accelerator-Driven System”). Policies adopted in this field by different countries are highlighted.