Big Science as a Shared European Asset

Big science projects cost a lot and public money is tighter than ever. Energy limits and climate rules add extra pressure. At the same time, global tensions make having advanced technology a clear political goal. These factors change how governments think about funding large research facilities.

Instead of each country chasing its own payoff, the focus moves to what Europe gains together. Planning looks at a whole portfolio of facilities, not just one lab. Evaluation stretches across the full life of a project, from design to decommission. This wider view helps avoid short‑term accounting traps.

Evidence must build up over time, be solid, and speak directly to decision makers. It should show not only what a facility produces, but also what it makes possible for scientists, companies, training programs, regions, and policy areas. Connecting those dots reveals the real ripple effects.

Thinking this way encourages a mindset of capability building rather than quick returns. It asks readers to consider how shared infrastructure can seed future breakthroughs and economic resilience. The question becomes what kind of scientific capacity Europe wants to keep for the next generation.