Procedure

CERN has been a very active and successful participant in the EU programmes for research and technological development since 2007.

This participation has allowed CERN to strengthen and start new collaborations with academic organisations and industrial companies from its Member and Associate Member States; the projects provide a valuable contribution to accelerator and detector R&D, computing and other digital technologies, and enhance careers and training of scientists and engineers. Through participation in EU projects CERN contributes to European policy priorities, which helps strengthen the relations with the European Commission.

CERN updated the procedures for the approval of new EU projects in 2026 to better coordinate and streamline participation in the EU’s main R&D funding programme, Horizon Europe. The details are described in a new memorandum from the director-general, which can be found here (restricted to CERN MPEs).