World needs more mega-science projects like Future Circular Collider: CERN chief

Leading particle physics research organisation CERN has made a renewed case for expanding global investment in large-scale scientific infrastructure, with its director-general emphasising the critical role such megaprojects play in driving innovation across multiple sectors.

The call comes as discussions around the Future Circular Collider, a proposed successor to the Large Hadron Collider, continue to gather momentum within the international scientific community. Proponents argue that the facility would represent a generational leap forward in humanity's ability to probe fundamental questions about the universe.

According to CERN leadership, ambitious scientific ventures of this scale do far more than advance theoretical knowledge. Such projects catalyse technological breakthroughs, foster international collaboration, and expand the boundaries of what researchers believe possible. The development and construction of cutting-edge experimental infrastructure typically generates innovations with applications that extend well beyond the original scientific objectives.

The push for increased support reflects a broader conviction among the global research establishment that major collaborative science projects represent sound investments in human capability and discovery. Supporters contend that the economic and intellectual returns from such endeavours justify the substantial upfront costs, creating benefits that extend across scientific disciplines and into industrial applications.

As the international scientific community evaluates next-generation research infrastructure, the emphasis on megaprojects reflects a strategic belief that bold, large-scale initiatives remain essential to maintaining momentum in fundamental research and sustaining competitive advantage in technological innovation.