A maximum of 500 Romanian researchers can work at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland, according to the Romanian Minister of Education Sorin Cimpeanu. The number increased after Romania became a full member of the organization.

“This change has important implications as the number of Romanian researchers who will participate in CERN projects increased from maximum 100 to maximum 500, and the amount of funding that can be raised for Romanian nuclear research is also much more important,” said the Minister, cited by local Mediafax.

Romania’s participation in CERN will amount to CHF 8.1 million, according to Mihnea Costoiu, rector of Bucharest Polytechnic University.  He added that 39 companies located in Romania participate in taking over CERN contracts, including 12 Romanian companies.

CERN is a European research organization that operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world. Established in 1954, the organization is located in a northwest suburb of Geneva, on the Franco–Swiss border and has 21 member states.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com