The community input for the 2026 update of the European Strategy for Particle Physics has been submitted, with 263 contributions received covering various aspects of high-energy physics.
Expert panels will review the submissions in preparation for an Open Symposium in Venice from 23 to 27 June.
The update aims to advance human knowledge in physics, particularly through the realization of the next flagship project at CERN.
Key topics include the study of the Higgs boson, dark matter, and neutrinos, alongside accelerator science and technology.
Sustainability and environmental protection are prominent themes in the submissions, aligning with CERN's commitment.
Proposals for future colliders at CERN include the Future Circular Collider (FCC) and a Linear Collider Facility, among others.
More than 50 national and national-laboratory submissions have been received, with a focus on identifying a successor to the LHC.
The recommendations from the ESPP process are crucial for maintaining CERN's leading role in particle physics.
The next steps include further evaluations, discussions at the Open Symposium, and final deliberations scheduled for December.
The European Strategy Group is expected to submit the proposed update to the CERN Council by the end of January 2026.