COMET boosts innovation in the Netherlands and Germany around the Einstein Telescope
With the launch of the European COMET project, the Netherlands and Germany are joining forces to accelerate the development of the Einstein Telescope (ET). This underground observatory is one of Europe's most advanced research facilities for gravitational waves, which will answer fundamental questions about the universe. COMET gives SMEs and knowledge institutions in both countries the opportunity to collaborate on innovation projects in the fields of vibration-free cooling, optics, and data processing. COMET offers companies financial support, helps them find suitable partners, and opens doors to international markets.
Innovation without borders
COMET, which stands for Comaking the Einstein Telescope, is a collaboration between six organizations from the Netherlands and Germany. Led by Oost NL, NMWP, LIOF, Emsland GmbH, TCNN, and the TransferAgentur of Fachhochschule Münster are working together to stimulate technological innovation in the border region. In the coming years, the partners will organize workshops, matchmaking events, and technological roadmaps to connect companies and knowledge institutions to innovation opportunities.
This will create international consortia that jointly tackle technological challenges that are essential for the Einstein Telescope. As a result, the Dutch-German border region will grow into a breeding ground for technological innovation with a European reach.
Photo: ©Marco Kraan/Nikhef
Technological innovation for fundamental research
The COMET project will run from November 2025 to December 2028 and focuses on the development of technologies that are essential for the Einstein Telescope, a European research facility that will measure gravitational waves and thus enable new insights.
“With COMET, we are creating an ideal complement to our existing range of services for SMEs,” explains Dr.-Ing. Harald Cremer, director of NMWP Management GmbH. “The project enables us to provide SMEs with even more targeted support in innovation and transformation processes, from the initial idea and technological development to tapping into new markets. Close cooperation with our Dutch partners creates a strong network that promotes practical solutions and strengthens the competitiveness of our companies across borders.”
The Einstein Telescope will be one of Europe's most advanced research facilities. A decision on its location will be made in 2027: in the border region of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, in the German state of Saxony, or on the island of Sardinia in Italy. The coming years will therefore be crucial for the development of the necessary technology and the formation of strong partnerships.
From space research to practical applications
As with previous European research projects such as CERN and ESA, the Einstein Telescope requires new solutions: from vibration-free cooling to advanced data processing and a vacuum network of more than 100 kilometers. COMET helps SMEs to collaborate with knowledge institutions on these challenges. This not only creates solutions for the Einstein Telescope, but also new products and applications for other sectors such as high-tech, energy, and healthcare.
“The Einstein Telescope offers opportunities that go far beyond science,” says Liane van der Veen, Director of Business Development at Oost NL. “What we are developing here can also lead to innovations that influence everyday life. Think of new sensor technology or precision instruments that can later be used in healthcare or industry.”
Even if the Einstein Telescope is not ultimately realized in the Dutch-German border region, the innovations resulting from COMET will retain their value. They strengthen regional innovation capacity and ensure that entrepreneurs are better positioned for future European high-tech projects.
COMET present at Space Tech Expo Europe
During the Space Tech Expo from November 18 to 20 in Bremen, companies can meet COMET partners, discover what innovations are being sought, and learn how they can participate in the first open calls. At the Einstein Telescope EMR stand in hall 6, stand S16, the COMET partners will help visitors translate their ideas into feasible innovation projects. This will demonstrate how cross-border cooperation contributes to the science and technology of tomorrow.
About COMET
COMET (Comaking the Einstein Telescope) is an Interreg VIa project running from November 2025 to December 2028. The project encourages collaboration between Dutch and German SMEs and knowledge institutions to develop technological innovations that contribute to the realization of the Einstein Telescope.
Project COMET is being carried out within the framework of the Interreg VI program Deutschland-Nederland and is co-financed with €2,759,369.59 by the European Union, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs (EZ), MWIKE NRW, and Niedersächsische Staatskanzlei, as well as the provinces of Groningen, Fryslân, Drenthe, Flevoland, Overijssel, Gelderland, North Brabant, and Limburg.