Switzerland at the heart of European neutron research

The Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) is an international research organisation originally established in 1967 by France and Germany, with the United Kingdom joining soon afterwards. There are around ten Scientific Member countries, including Switzerland since 1998, whose participation in the ILL is based on limited five-year contracts. Put into operation in 1971, the ILL became one of the leading international research facilities on the European continent thanks to its high-flux reactor, which powers some forty experimental stations that were recently upgraded under the Endurance programme.

Access secured up to at least 2028

The agreement signed by State Secretary Martina Hirayama in Grenoble on 6 June 2024 renews Switzerland’s participation in the ILL for an initial period running from 2024 to 2028. In 2020, Parliament approved a budget allocation of CHF 12 million for this purpose. Provided parliamentary approval is given to the funding request made in the Federal Council Dispatch on the Promotion of Education, Research and Innovation for 2025-2028, Switzerland's commitment will be increased to CHF 26.4 million and extended to 2033.

The renewal of Swiss participation in the ILL is essential for the Swiss neutron research community. With nearly 5% of the total beam time made available by the ILL, Swiss researchers are involved in no fewer than 10% of the publications based on data produced at the ILL. This renewal also benefits Swiss research institutions that pursue scientific and technological collaboration with the ILL, as well as Swiss companies that are awarded contracts from the ILL worth an estimated CHF 1 million per year.