CERN: European Laboratory for Particle Physics
Established 1953, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics guarantees cooperation between European countries in nuclear and particle physics research for exclusively peaceful purposes. CERN fosters advanced high-energy physics research using its particle accelerators.
At the forefront of particle physics research
Located in the French-Swiss border region near Geneva, CERN is a major particle physics research organisation founded for the purpose of facilitating international cooperation in this field. It has state-of-the-art facilities such as the Proton Synchrotron (PS), the Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) and, since 2009, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The LHC is housed in a 27 km circular tunnel that previously held another machine (the LEP). Since 2006, CERN has broadened its research to include neutrino physics through participation in international projects.
With 24 member states and nearly 2,500 employees, CERN works with over 10,000 researchers from around the world. One of its major discoveries was the Higgs particle, which resulted in the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2013. CERN was also the birthplace of the World Wide Web, which was originally designed to facilitate the sharing of large amounts of data.
Switzerland’s contribution to CERN
In addition to its status as a host state, Switzerland plays a key role within CERN, In addition to its status as a host state, Switzerland plays a key role within CERN. Swiss universities, the country's two federal institutes of technology, and the Paul Scherrer Institute all contribute significantly to CERN's work. Researchers from these institutions take part in experiments in a variety of areas, including particle physics, medicine and technological research. Most of the LHC's large detectors, as well as neutrino experiments, are supported by Swiss scientific and financial contributions.
Around 200 Swiss nationals work at CERN, and many Swiss companies have been awarded contracts with the organisation. Switzerland contributes around CHF 50 million annually to CERN's budget of CHF 1.2 billion. In 2024, the Swiss Parliament decided to create a sectoral plan to boost this collaboration. SERI is responsible for Switzerland's participation in CERN and for development of this plan.
Links
Comité Suisse pour l’Évaluation du FCC (CSEF)
The Comité Suisse pour l’Évaluation du FCC (CSEF) is a committee tasked with evaluating the feasibility study for CERN's possible next project, the Future Circular Collider FCC
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI
Michael Gerber