October 2025
Compiled by: Yuliya Hoika
Across Europe, the candidate regions for the Einstein Telescope are moving forward on multiple fronts. Recent months have seen new funding commitments, infrastructure upgrades, laboratory inaugurations, geological and geodetic research, deep drilling campaigns, and major technological innovations. Have a look at the news items below for an impression. The links take you to full articles on the specific websites.
October 2025
After their meeting in June 2025, the Einstein Telescope Board of Governmental Representatives (BGR) confirmed that Lusatia in Saxony, Germany is now considered to be an official candidate location for the Einstein Telescope. This follows Lusatia’s earlier expression of interest for becoming an official candidate. Conversations and collaborations with the Lusatia team were already ongoing for some time. This confirmation by the BGR can be seen as a formal step to fully include Lusatia in the procedures, next to Sardinia and the Euregio Meuse-Rhine.
Read: Lusatia officially third candidate location for the Einstein Telescope
October 2025
A working group from VITO and the University of Antwerp, on behalf of the ET EMR Project Office, is exploring how the Einstein Telescope can be built, operated, and eventually repurposed in line with sustainability and circularity principles. The study looks at smart reuse of soil, water, energy, and existing infrastructure. By linking ET to broader environmental and societal benefits, the initiative aims to make it a model project and a catalyst for sustainable development.
Read: Working towards sustainability and circularity in the Einstein Telescope
October 2025
The CoMET laboratory (Coating Materials for ET) has been inaugurated in Rovigo, funded by NextGenerationEU – PNRR within the ETIC project. CoMET will develop advanced mirror coatings crucial for ET’s sensitivity, strengthening Sardinian bid and boosting international collaboration in gravitational-wave research.
Read: CoMET lab opened in Rovigo
September 2025
The Flemish government has increased its financial reserve for ET in the EMR to €500 million, adding €300 million to the previously announced €200 million. A study by Econopolis shows the investment could yield returns between €500 million and €1.5 billion, depending on Flemish industry’s involvement. Wallonia has also pledged €200 million, while the Dutch National Growth Fund has reserved €870 million. In addition, North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) has expressed conditional support for the project.
Read: Flanders increases Einstein Telescope reserve to 500 million euros