The CERN Council has initiated a two-year process to update the European Strategy for Particle Physics, aiming to establish a clear vision for the field’s future in Europe and its role globally.
This process, set to conclude in June 2026, will involve extensive consultation within the particle physics community.
Charting the course for European particle physics
The European Strategy Group (ESG) has been tasked with developing a visionary plan to advance fundamental physics.
This plan will identify the next flagship project at CERN, aiming to maintain Europe’s leadership in particle physics through international collaboration.
The strategy will prioritise projects that can propel human knowledge forward and solidify Europe’s global standing in the field.
Building on recent achievements
The European particle physics strategy update will assess the progress made since the 2020 iteration, considering significant developments such as results from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and other international experiments.
Key considerations will include the construction of the High-Luminosity LHC, outcomes from the Future Circular Collider Feasibility Study, and advancements in accelerator, detector, and computing technologies.
These insights will guide the ESG in shaping a strategy that addresses current opportunities and anticipates future challenges.
Strategic priorities and environmental impact
A central focus of the updated strategy will be selecting the preferred option for the next collider at CERN.
The ESG will also outline alternative plans in case the primary option is not feasible. Beyond colliders, the strategy will highlight other experimental areas at CERN, in other European laboratories, and potential projects outside Europe.
Additionally, the strategy will address broader concerns, such as theoretical advancements, environmental sustainability, and initiatives to attract and retain young scientists.
This reflects the growing need to minimise the environmental impact of particle physics research while ensuring that the field remains dynamic and appealing to new talent.
Focus on community engagement
To ensure that the strategy reflects the collective vision of the particle physics community, the ESG is seeking input from scientists across universities, laboratories, and national institutes. Initial written submissions are due by March 31, 2025.
The process will include a Scientific Open Symposium from June 23-27, 2025, where the community will discuss the future of European particle physics.
Based on these discussions, a ‘Briefing Book’ will be prepared and submitted to the ESG by September 2025. The final European particle physics strategy will be drafted during a session in December 2025.
The European Strategy for Particle Physics update represents a crucial effort to define the future of the field in Europe.
By engaging the community and considering a broad range of factors, the CERN Council aims to develop a strategy that will guide the next generation of research and maintain Europe’s leadership in global particle physics.
