The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN, in its French acronym Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire) is a European nuclear research organization that has the world’s largest particle accelerator (LHC), built in a 27-kilometre-long tunnel.For the LHC collider, four large detectors have been built: CMS, ALICE, ATLAS and LHCb.
The main objective of CERN’s research is the study of the ultimate constituents of matter and the fundamental forces through which they interact. Located on the Franco-Swiss border near Geneva, it is the largest research laboratory in elementary particle physics or high-energy physics in the world. Founded in 1954 by twelve European countries, CERN is today a model of international scientific collaboration and one of the most important research centers in the world.
Spain is a full member of the CERN Council in the Finance Committee, and participates in the Scientific Policy Committee, made up of renowned scientists. The various Member States contribute annually to CERN in proportion to their GDP. By level of contributions, Spain ranks fifth after Germany, United Kingdom, France and Italy.