CERN was established in 1954 by the European Council for Nuclear Research. Based in a northwestern suburb of Geneva on the Franco-Swiss border, it operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world.
Associate member status will make it possible for Croatia to participate in CERN-funded projects on an equal footing. It will improve the quality of education and research by Croatian scientists and increase the mobility of scientists and specialists.
Such status will also open up business opportunities for Croatian software, construction, electrical engineering and healthcare companies.
Croatia will contribute a total of CHF 1 million annually to finance CERN activities.