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Einstein Telescope for business

How about contributing to development of the Einstein Telescope (ET)? A number of projects and programmes have been set up for companies to encourage innovation and accelerated development of new technologies for the telescope.

R&D scheme for high-tech companies

The ET valorisation programme is intended for partnerships between high-tech companies. Starting this autumn, companies will be able to submit an application for one of the technology domains. The regional development agency for Dutch Limburg (LIOF) is taking the lead, including on behalf of two Dutch ministries (the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Climate Policy and Education, Culture & Science), the Dutch National Institute for Subatomic Physics (Nikhef), and the Dutch province of Limburg. The three service centres at the regional development agencies for the Dutch provinces of Brabant (BOM) and Zuid-Holland (InnovationQuarter) and the eastern Netherlands (Oost NL) aim to link up nationwide with the high-tech ecosystems associated with the technical universities. Consortiums are being created together with the commercial sector and knowledge institutions.

Go to Einstein Telescope for business

ET2SMEs: cross-border innovation

The ET2SMEs Interreg project is a cross-border project aimed at companies in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine and neighbouring regions. It links up with ongoing projects and developments. In collaboration with knowledge and research institutions, ET2SMEs helps companies develop new products, processes, and technologies. These are relevant not only for the Einstein Telescope (ET), but also for other challenging European and global markets, such as automotive, aerospace, and other high-tech segments. ET2SMEs was launched in March 2021 and runs until the end of 2023.

Go to the ET2SMEs website

E-TEST: prototype and soil surveys

A prototype has been constructed within the E-TEST Interreg project to validate the telescope’s technology: a large mirror suspended in a cryogenic environment (-263 oC, 10K). An underground survey is also underway to map and model the geology of the Euregio Meuse-Rhine. This will make it possible to determine the optimum design and location of the planned ET. The project represents an important contribution to scientific knowledge building and it will have a major economic impact on SMEs in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine. The project runs until the end of 2023.

Go to the E-TEST website

Flemish initiatives

The Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) set up a project team in early 2023 focusing on the preparation phase for the ET. The priority is to advance development of the current ecosystem of Flemish knowledge institutions, companies, and (local) authorities. The initial focus is mainly on informing Flemish companies about the project. Special attention is also being paid to the technological and other requirements that are in line with the expertise of each individual company.

In addition, efforts are underway to identify the valorisation potential of the Einstein Telescope for Flanders and to consolidate the region’s leading role as a knowledge economy. Companies are being encouraged to embark on an innovation leap to develop components for the ET. This may involve research in preparation for our candidature, but also development of components that will subsequently be utilised in the ET.

Contacts for businesses

If you want to know more about the schemes or about cooperation opportunities, there are various contact points for companies and researchers within the Euregio Meuse-Rhine. Contact us and we’ll put you in touch with the right person.

Netherlands:

Flanders:

Wallonie: