Contribution of joint experiments on small tokamaks in the framework of IAEA coordinated research projects to mainstream fusion research

Joint experiments (JEs) on small tokamaks have been regularly performed between 2005 and 2015 under the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) coordinated research projects (CRPs). This paper describes the background and the rationale for these experiments, how they were organized and executed, main areas of research covered during these experiments, main results, contributions to mainstream fusion research, and discusses lessons learned and outcomes from these activities. We underline several of the most important scientific outputs and also specific outputs in the education of young scientists and scientists from developing countries and their importance.