Event highlights CERN membership advantages

The full membership in the European Organization for Nuclear Research will provide scientists with better opportunities to take part in a variety of projects and international research initiatives, while businesses will have full access to CERN's public calls, participants highlighted.

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Igor Papič said the foundation for the full membership was laid by Slovenian scientists. He believes that Slovenia having a stable and well-organised science and research system was also important.

Last year, Slovenia invested a total of EUR 628 million in science, while this year the figure is to reach EUR 674 million and will exceed EUR 700 million in 2026, said Papič.

Innovative businesses must be encouraged to recognise CERN as a launching pad for the global market, National Council President Marko Lotrič said. "For them, participation is a unique opportunity, enabling access to top knowledge and technologies."

"Cooperation with CERN will be of great importance for our competitive edge," said Tara Brus of the company Žustal, a CNC metalworking company.

Samo Tuma, the representative of Slovenia's business sector in CERN, and Marjana Majerič of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which also helps companies with CERN-related matters, advised businesses to put their names in the CERN database and take part in events organised by CERN.

Majerič also underlined the importance of cooperation within a country's science and research sector. She added that CERN did not offer opportunities only in science, but also in service solutions, logistics, catering and building management.

Tuma meanwhile added that CERN had high demands, but its calls for bids were not overly complicated in terms of bureaucracy. "But the competition is strong, CERN has 65,000 companies in its database."

Therefore, the state must help with development and human resource investments, among other things, the participants agreed.

Boštjan Golob, a physics professor from the University of Nova Gorica, highlighted the benefits the membership will have for Slovenian researchers, the feeling of being able to participate in top research projects at the global level.

"This involves working in a group that is not held together by the same boss. The work and the mentality is completely different, which is very important for young researchers," Golob said.

Danilo Zavrtanik, also a physics professor at the Nova Gorica University, described Slovenia's long road to becoming a CERN member, while Science Ministry State Secretary Jure Gašparič said Slovenia expected to become a full member in June.