The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) has announced a significant milestone, receiving $1 billion in private donations for the Future Circular Collider (FCC). This funding marks the first instance in the organization’s 72-year history where individual and philanthropic contributions are directed towards a major CERN project.
The FCC is intended to succeed the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), which notably contributed to the discovery of the Higgs boson. The FCC is designed as a massive underground tunnel, approximately 90.7 kilometers in circumference—around three times longer than the LHC. The conceptual design was initially released in early 2019, with a detailed feasibility study published last year.
This project is seen as a critical component in the ongoing update of the European Strategy for Particle Physics, which is set to be presented to the CERN Council in May 2026. Should the CERN Council approve the plans in 2028, construction of the FCC electron-positron machine, known as FCC-ee, would commence in 2030, with operations anticipated to begin in 2047. This collider aims to produce a million Higgs particles, allowing physicists to explore its properties with unprecedented precision.
Following FCC-ee, a subsequent machine, the FCC-hh, is proposed to utilize the existing tunnel to further advance particle physics. The FCC-hh would operate as a “discovery machine,” colliding protons at energies around 85 TeV, targeting the creation of new particles. If realized, the FCC-hh could begin operations in 2073 and continue into the next century.
The total estimated cost for the FCC-ee is around $18 billion. It is expected that two-thirds of the funding will come from CERN’s 24 member states, with the remaining amount to be sourced from private donations and other avenues. Notably, the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation have made significant commitments, alongside entrepreneurs John Elkann and Xavier Niel, collectively pledging $1 billion.
Costas Fountas, president of the CERN Council, expressed gratitude for this unprecedented support, stating, “This once again demonstrates CERN’s relevance and positive impact on society.” Eric Schmidt, co-founder of Google, articulated his belief that the FCC could enhance human understanding of the universe, potentially leading to innovations across various fields, from medicine to sustainable energy.
Outgoing CERN director-general Fabiola Gianotti remarked on the historic significance of these donations, emphasizing the collaborative spirit in advancing fundamental physics. She stated, “I am profoundly grateful to them for their generosity, vision, and unwavering commitment to knowledge and exploration.”
The funding arrives during a time of uncertainty for the Circular Electron–Positron Collider (CEPC) project in China, which was recently excluded from the country’s five-year plan. Despite this setback, Wang Yifang from the Institute of High Energy Physics has noted that the CEPC may be reconsidered for future plans unless the FCC receives official approval beforehand.
While the situation surrounding CEPC has complicated international collaboration in particle physics, John Ellis, a particle theorist at King’s College London, highlighted that the recent developments simplify discussions surrounding the FCC. He also expressed hope for China’s participation in the FCC, suggesting that they could contribute significantly to the project if political barriers are resolved.
The leadership transition at CERN has also taken place, with Mark Thomson becoming the new director-general on January 1, 2024. Among his initial responsibilities will be to oversee the ongoing funding requirements for the FCC-ee while managing the planned shutdown of the LHC in June. This shutdown is necessary to facilitate upgrades for the High Luminosity LHC, which is expected to enhance the facility’s capabilities significantly.
Thomson remains optimistic about the future of CERN, stating, “It’s an incredibly exciting project. It’s more interesting than just sitting here with the machine hammering away.” As CERN continues to push the boundaries of particle physics, the collaborative efforts in funding and research promise to unlock new dimensions of understanding in the field.
