ISA is a Danish National Facility where research is carried out over a wide range of the natural and life sciences, including fundamental physics, material science, molecular biology and laboratory astrophysics, using accelerators and storage rings.

Support for TNA to ASTRID2 through NEPHEWS

With a special focus on users from EU widening countries, Ukraine and from countries without direct access to large scale research infrastructures in their country, it is possible to apply for TNA through the Horizon Europe project NEPHEWS. Applications for this support are accepted as part of ISA's annual call for proposals, and is applicable for access to all facilities on ASTRID2

The Nephews project offers virtual training events for newcomers in the usage of large-scale Research Infrastructures.

Take part in an exclusive virtual training session focused on photon and neutron sources and their cutting-edge capabilities.

The two day virtual training available for NEPHEWS is an essential guide to new users. Some of the topics from previous virtual training events are repeated, with some of the materials changed, but in this edition there are new topics on synchrotron based Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), an expanded presentation on synchrotron based X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy (XPS) inclusive of Ambient Pressure XPS (AP-XPS), and a Case study on Angle Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy (ARPES) of quantum materials. Further there is another Case study on High Pressure Science at the EuXFEL. Repeated topics include an introduction on writing proposals for these photon and neutron research infrastructures, as well as a guide to the Synchrotron and FEL Light Source and Neutron Facility landscapes in Europe.

When: Monday 11th May and Tuesday 12th May 2026
Where: Online via Zoom

To read more about this event, view the agenda and register to participate, visit the NEPHEWS website.

On 22 April 2026, the inauguration of LEAPS AISBL took place at the Hanse Office in Brussels, marking an important step for Europe’s research and innovation landscape.

The formal establishment of LEAPS as an international association strengthens the coordination of Europe’s leading synchrotron and free-electron laser facilities and reinforces their role as a unified voice in European policy discussions.

The speeches and panel discussion, moderated by Maryline Fiaschi (Science|Business), brought together key representatives from policy, research and industry, including:

• Maryam Blumenthal, Hamburg Senator for Science, Research, and Equality
• Joanna Drake, Deputy Director-General DG RTD, European Commission
• Manuel Heitor, Professor at University of Lisbon, Portugal’s former Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Coordinator of the EC interim evaluation of Horizon Europe
• Katarina Bjelke, Director General of the Swedish Research Council
• Mark van de Kerkhof, Director EUV Research, ASML
• Kristiaan Temst, Professor and Head of the Quantum Solid State Physics research unit at KU Leuven; Pathfinding for Semiconductor Technologies, imec, Leuven
• Thomas Feurer, Chair of the LEAPS Board of Directors, Managing Director of the European XFEL; Professor at University of Bern.

The discussion focused on the role of research infrastructures in the context of FP10, global competition and Europe’s technological sovereignty.

A clear message emerged: research infrastructures are no longer peripheral—they are central to Europe’s competitiveness, innovation capacity and resilience. At the same time, several key challenges were highlighted:

• the need for long-term and stable funding models aligned with infrastructure lifecycles,
• stronger integration of science, industry and innovation ecosystems,
• ensuring Europe can not only attract, but also retain top talent.

The creation of LEAPS AISBL provides a stronger framework to coordinate efforts across Europe and to contribute more effectively to shaping research and innovation policy.

More in the full article: https://www.leaps-initiative.eu/strengthening-research-infrastructures-in-european-research-funding-programme-f10-and-beyond-from-vision-to-action/

The Rolling Call for TransNational Access (TNA) proposals for 2025-2026 is open.

The first visit to ASTRID2 under the NEPHEWS Twinning programme has taken place.

Circular Accelerator developments at IFA in the last 35+ years, by Søren Pape Møller

A personal story about the development of accelerators at IFA. Read about some of the history behind and the development of accelerator projects at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University. From CERN experiments in the late 70's to the construction of ASTRID2 in the 2010's and lots in between.

Read the article here..

ASTRID2 Lego model

ASTRID2 Animation