Closer cooperation between Estonia and CERN requires broad-based support for science education

Estonia's research and economy would have much to gain from closer cooperation with the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). However, this requires more thoughtful funding in the field of science in Estonia, which would ensure both the stability of research and a steady supply line of young researchers.

CERN's Director for Research and Computing Joachim Mnich, Rector of the University of Tartu Toomas Asser and Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas discussed the possibilities of cooperation between Estonia and CERN and agreed that the whole education system should also pay even more attention to promoting the study and teaching of science.  

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Photo: Front row from the left: Vallo Mulk, Joachim Mnich, Kristina Kallas, Toomas Asser, Enrica Porcari, Veronika Zadin. Second row from the left: Tõnu Esko, Martti Raidal. Author: Andres Tennus

Estonia has been an associate member state of CERN since 2021 and is currently preparing for full membership. Although the scientific level of cooperation so far has left a good impression on the representatives of CERN, both CERN and Estonian research institutions are concerned about the future, as ensuring the young generation of scientists tends to be a problem across Europe. Rector Asser expressed particular concern about the shortage of doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows in science. Minister Kallas confirmed that the state, in cooperation with the European Social Fund, is planning to set up a €40 million support measure to support science education at all levels of education.  

Veronika Zadin, Professor of Materials Technology at the University of Tartu and Estonia's representative in CERN's working group on science policy, said that CERN has a significant role in motivating young researchers through study and traineeship opportunities. We can also learn from them in terms of popularising the field, as the organisation has a long international track record in recruiting the next generation of scientists. The impact of cooperation with CERN can be felt at all levels of education. "Estonian physics teachers have been attending CERN's teacher training courses for many years, and our physics and IT students and doctoral students have also benefited from traineeship opportunities at CERN. Participation in CERN's research experiments has given our materials science and engineering a whole new international dimension and quality," said Zadin.  

Minister Kallas acknowledged the good cooperation between CERN and the University of Tartu and other Estonian research groups. It is precisely to foster scientific cooperation that the ministry has created a measure of research infrastructure of national importance this spring, supporting the participation of a consortium formed by the University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Technology and the National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics in CERN's research cooperation with 170,000 euros in each of the next three years. Kallas added that besides special measures and competition-based funding, the state should also pay more attention to the use of R&D funds from the state budget that fall outside the scope of the Ministry of Education and Research.   

While Estonia is not yet a full member of CERN, it can benefit from the services and cooperation opportunities offered by the organisation in the amount of the annual membership fee. Once Estonia is accepted as a full member, our researchers and companies will be able to take full advantage of the cooperation opportunities. In the coming months, CERN's task force will assess Estonia's capacity to participate in the organisation's research programmes. A decision on Estonia's full membership will be taken by the end of this year.  

A high-level meeting between Estonia and CERN took place in Tartu on 21 August at the opening of the CERN School of Computing. One of the most prestigious CERN summer schools brings together students, scientists and engineers from all over the world to address the latest developments in computational physics, software development and data technology. This year, the summer school is held in Estonia for the first time.