COMET

Innovation for the Einstein Telescope

With the launch of COMET, the Netherlands and Germany join forces to accelerate the development of the Einstein Telescope (ET). This underground observatory will become one of Europe’s most advanced research facilities for gravitational waves.

COMET supports SMEs and knowledge institutions in both countries to collaborate on innovation projects in vibration-free cooling, optics, and data processing. The project offers funding, matchmaking and access to international markets.

Technology for fundamental research

Running from November 2025 to December 2028, COMET focuses on technologies crucial for the Einstein Telescope, which will be ten times more sensitive than current detectors.
A decision on the telescope’s final location is expected in 2027. The Einstein Telescope requires new technological solutions, from vibration-free cooling to advanced data systems and a 100-km vacuum network. The project COMET helps SMEs and research institutes jointly develop these innovations, creating opportunities not only for ET but also for sectors such as high-tech manufacturing, energy and healthcare.

COMET is an Interreg VIa project (2025–2028) that strengthens Dutch-German cooperation on key technologies for the Einstein Telescope.
It is co-funded with €2,759,369.59 by the European Union, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs (EZ), MWIKE NRW, the State Chancellery of Lower Saxony, and the provinces of Groningen, Fryslân, Drenthe, Flevoland, Overijssel, Gelderland, Noord-Brabant and Limburg.

Cross-border collaboration

COMET (Comaking the Einstein Telescope) is carried out by six Dutch and German partners led by Oost NL: NMWP, LIOF, Emsland GmbH, TCNN, and the Transfer Agency of FH Münster.
Over the next years, they will organise workshops, matchmaking events and develop technological roadmaps to connect companies with ET-related innovation needs.

More information

Content
Judith Inberg – judith.inberg@oostnl.nl
Tom Cornelissen – tom.cornelissen@oostnl.nl

Communication
Nine Gerrits – nine.gerrits@oostnl.nl

Website: www.comet-interreg.eu
Information on the Einstein Telescope EMR: www.einsteintelescope-emr.eu

Picture:Marco Kraan/Nikhef