Government of the Netherlands: Einstein Telescope is national priority
The Dutch cabinet recently declared the Einstein Telescope a project of national priority. This means, among other things, that the feasibility of building the telescope will be given priority within all ministries.
Part of that priority is also that the central government, together with the Province of Limburg (NL) and science financier NWO, has taken an extra step to work with partners in Germany and Belgium to bring the largest scientific construction project ever to the border area of these three countries. That extra step involves the establishment of Einstein Telescope Netherlands (ET-NL). ET-NL will play a coordinating and driving role between all parties in the Netherlands working towards the arrival of the telescope in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine.
To this end, Sjoerd Sjoerdsma has been appointed CEO of ET-NL. As an experienced former Member of Parliament and diplomat, he brings the political-administrative experience to connect and drive national and international efforts. Sjoerdsma grew up in Limburg and is looking forward to working with all stakeholders to deliver the best bid book, the project proposal, for the Einstein Telescope: ‘The Einstein Telescope is a scientific miracle and will be a big boost for the economy of the Netherlands and Limburg’s economy in particular. I am proud to lead the team that will pull out all the stops to bring the Einstein Telescope here.’
Second person starting today at the newly established network organisation is Stan Bentvelsen. As Chief Science Officer (CSO), he will be responsible for the scientific part of the bid book.
This is a crucial position, as this instrument goes beyond the limits of what is currently scientifically possible. Bentvelsen is an internationally prominent physicist who, previously as director of Nikhef and as scientific director of the Einstein Telescope EMR project office, helped initiate the mission of bringing this telescope to the border area of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. In his new role, he will give it a logical follow-up. Stan Bentvelsen: ‘The Einstein Telescope will significantly shake up our view and knowledge of the universe in the coming decades. This telescope is truly revolutionary and ground-breaking in scientific terms and the whole world will benefit from it. We are going to do everything we can to build that instrument in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine.’
The creation of ET-NL is part of the additional investment of 16 million euros, including 4.3 million euros from the Province of Limburg, which Minister Bruins (Education, Culture and Science) already announced on Prinsjesdag. Minister Bruins: ‘The Einstein Telescope is going to be a nursery of new science that will not only lead to new discoveries about the universe, but can also deliver a lot of new technology that will change our lives. The next two years are crucial to make our plan as promising as we can. This will require a lot of work, from designing this engineering marvel, to lobbying to get support for our plans. I have a lot of confidence in these people and in the race to bring this telescope to our border region.’
The Netherlands has earmarked €870 million from the Growth Fund to build the telescope. The current preparations of the telescope in the region have also boosted several educational initiatives. Examples include the Einstein Telescope Education Centre (ETEC) at the Discovery Museum in Kerkrade, and the future Einstein Academy, where higher vocational and intermediate courses will pay extra attention to technical and exact subjects to prepare students during their studies to work for or at the Einstein Telescope.
By the way: in several places in Europe, countries are working on a good proposal to be allowed to build the Einstein Telescope. Besides the cooperation of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany for the EMR region, Italy is also in the race and Germany’s Saxony recently announced its candidature.
