The government, together with the Province of Limburg and science financier NWO, is taking the next step to bring the Einstein Telescope to the Netherlands. They are investing 15.9 million to stimulate innovations and to set up the Einstein Academy. It is expected that hundreds of professionals will be trained there in the coming years, who will be able to build and maintain the Einstein Telescope. The Netherlands is one of the main candidates to be allowed to build this telescope, which will create many jobs and is of great value to science.
Photo source: Nikhef/Marco Kraan
The Ministries of Education, Culture and Science and Economic Affairs are jointly allocating 8.6 million euros up to and including 2026, the Province of Limburg 4.2 million and NWO 3.0 million.
Minister Eppo Bruins (OCW) is delighted with the plans that these parties have together:
In a time when there is less money in our budget for research and education, this is really a textbook example of an investment that strengthens both. I think it is great to strengthen vocational education in Limburg together. And it is good for our chances of being able to build the Einstein Telescope here if we have the knowledge and the professionals ready for it. It would really be good for the Netherlands if that telescope came here.
Einstein Academy with a wide range of subjects
Strengthening education in the region is an important recommendation from the report "Elke regio telt!" (Every region counts!). The Einstein Academy is an initiative of Zuyd University of Applied Sciences and the Limburg vocational education institutions VISTA college and Gilde Opleidingen, with other educational institutions from the (EU) region Maas-Rijn possibly joining. At the Einstein Academy, they will offer a mix of new courses and existing courses, which will be strengthened. They will focus on the knowledge required for the construction and maintenance of the Einstein Telescope. Think of technical courses such as mechatronics, computer science, construction or technical business administration, but also for example facility management and hospitality. The aim is for the first vocational and higher professional education students to start in the academic year 2026-2027. Together, the schools expect to train at least 150 additional students per year. Even if the telescope does not come to the Netherlands, there is a great demand for well-trained personnel in these areas.
Also investment in science and innovation
The three schools will receive 4.5 million euros together to launch the Einstein Academy. After that, the Academy will receive money from the government per student, like all funded courses in the Netherlands. The Academy will collaborate with other initiatives in the field of innovation and education. This means that there will be room for teachers to do technical research together with students for SME companies in the region, who are developing the technology for the Einstein Telescope.
The parties involved are also investing together in attracting additional scientists to make the plan for the telescope as strong as possible. This is necessary, because the construction and development of a telescope like this has never been done before. Much of the technology does not yet exist, which is why the parties are also investing in opportunities for companies to develop innovations that do not yet exist, but are necessary for the telescope.
Underground telescope of great value
Deputy of the Province of Limburg Stephan Satijn is delighted with the financial boost:
The telescope is not only of unique scientific value, but also gives an impulse to the knowledge economy and position of the Netherlands and Limburg in particular. For example, the high-tech research facility will create several thousand new jobs in the region and attract scientific talent. In addition, we are strengthening the Euregional cooperation with Belgium and Germany by realizing the construction in the border area of South Limburg. We are therefore doing everything we can to bring the Einstein Telescope to our region.
About the Einstein Telescope
The Einstein Telescope is not a telescope as many people know it. It is an underground triangle of large tubes, in which laser beams are fired and reflected by mirrors. By measuring these beams very precisely, you can detect gravitational waves from space. This will allow scientists to learn new things about our universe and test Einstein's theory of relativity for the first time. The decision on who will be allowed to build the telescope is expected to be made in 2026. The Netherlands has made 42 million available from the National Growth Fund for the planning phase, and a reserve of 870 million for the actual construction.
