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COMET (Co-Creating the Einstein Telescope)

Program: Interreg VI Germany - NetherlandsDuration: November 2025 – December 2028Funding: €2,759,369.59Lead Partner: Oost NL

Project Details

The Einstein Telescope (ET) will be a highly sensitive underground observatory for detecting gravitational waves. To make this groundbreaking technology possible, new innovations are needed in fields such as optics, lasers, vacuum technology, cryogenics, and data analysis. Through the Interreg VI project COMET (CoMaking the Einstein Telescope), Dutch and German companies, research institutions, and innovation partners are collaborating on the development of these key technologies.COMET supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in forming consortia and in developing and validating innovations, with a grant of up to €75,000 per subproject. In addition, the project identifies organizations whose expertise can contribute to the Einstein Telescope ecosystem.<h2>Why is this important?</h2>The Einstein Telescope is one of Europe’s largest scientific infrastructure projects and serves as a key driver of innovation, economic development, and European knowledge advancement. The technologies required for this project often do not yet exist or require further development. By involving companies in these technological challenges at an early stage, COMET stimulates innovation, strengthens collaboration between companies and research institutions, and enhances the international competitiveness of the Dutch-German border region. Furthermore, the technologies developed find their way into other sectors, such as the semiconductor industry, medical technology, aerospace, and photonics. In this way, COMET not only contributes to the realization of the Einstein Telescope but also to a stronger European innovation ecosystem and new economic opportunities for SMEs.<h2>Who is COMET for?</h2>COMET is aimed at:<ul><li data-list-item-id="efb759b93c1c0c9d5a1488e3ac4b9a168">SMEs and knowledge institutions/research organizations; </li><li data-list-item-id="e0d317d73f6ed80eb6990e559b0a26a72">Dutch and German companies from the program area that wish to collaborate across borders; </li><li data-list-item-id="ee8966b988b6b09403d24f15e356e9f34">organizations active in fields such as high-tech systems, optics, lasers, cryogenics, vacuum technology, or advanced data processing.</li></ul><h2>What are the benefits of COMET? </h2>COMET accelerates the development of new technologies and strengthens the innovative capacity of the Dutch-German border region.Among other things, the project will achieve:<ul><li data-list-item-id="ed863ac69304e49708468e918ed79f0cc">at least 12 cross-border innovation projects;</li><li data-list-item-id="e4c210d672bc5fbef00821a7fc8cc8e3b">new technological solutions for the Einstein Telescope; </li><li data-list-item-id="e0136c2eb697ce8172a63d54167fa573c">international collaborations between Dutch and German companies and research institutions; </li><li data-list-item-id="e1b7223a0cdbaf6242a94710e931810d4">a stronger innovation ecosystem centered on deep tech and the Einstein Telescope; </li><li data-list-item-id="ee50b40df27fe5e9a30c8a17083d77146">new applications and market opportunities beyond the Einstein Telescope.</li></ul>Added value for entrepreneurs:<ul><li data-list-item-id="e06f01c2a141fb105259ae54853485e47">access to international knowledge, expertise, and markets; </li><li data-list-item-id="e39dd47a814ecaf857c09e4a187d494b7">new Dutch-German collaborations; </li><li data-list-item-id="eba81f3d53f098e0823914741c40ca3f8">€75,000 in financial support for joint innovation projects; </li><li data-list-item-id="edea0cad71703c4b37824a8f3f52819ff">development of technologies with applications across multiple sectors; </li><li data-list-item-id="eeeb3254e554cbeb9606e66998bcdc949">a stronger position within future European value chains.</li></ul>

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Sabratha (Enschede) and Microwave Photonics GmbH (Oberhausen) are developing an innovative system for signal transmission via fiber optics as part of the COMET REFLOW project. The system combines advanced photonic chips with low-noise laser systems, enabling extremely small reference signals to be transmitted over long distances with minimal interference. <blockquote>The project enables us to validate our technology in a highly demanding use case while simultaneously strengthening our collaboration with European partners. Together, we can tackle challenges that neither company could solve as effectively on its own.</blockquote>Steven Ye, co-founder and CTO of Sabratha.

Real-World Example

<h2>Which partners are involved?</h2>COMET is a collaboration between twelve partners from the Netherlands and Germany. Together, they support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and research institutions in developing innovative solutions for the Einstein Telescope and other international deep tech applications. &nbsp;Project partners:<ul><li data-list-item-id="ea14aca87ef15f30049702f2ca9d65844">Oost NL&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e63340cdb6d7389c1c380d73f1dfba86b">LIOF&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="ea00c86e96130fcbe749c83de726c963d">NMWP&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e965b7550ff09e5bee6b1091f16a9edf8">TCNN&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e55817c5a1f8b03fb2283212f454a042e">Emsland GmbH&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="ebe80682c3e908d01a42429f6a2ef99be">Transfer Agency FH Münster&nbsp;</li></ul>Associate partners:<ul><li data-list-item-id="e3a01621596bf92653a18112d475bcac3">Brabant Development Agency (BOM)</li><li data-list-item-id="eaf132344f513f6fed2abdbf9a5ca5f51">Innos GmbH</li><li data-list-item-id="ede035bd2175c94ba731ff4fac28833c4">Horizon Flevoland</li><li data-list-item-id="e2e3d8f663086f70ddf5c3784a24a767c">ZENIT GmbH</li><li data-list-item-id="efbf6d2c1ba5398c96d6468a58f936e0b">IHK North Westphalia</li><li data-list-item-id="e220d2c01b2361e6f144e34c91b001a97">NRW.BANK</li></ul><h2>Interested in the project?</h2>An international innovation ecosystem is emerging around the Einstein Telescope, where companies, research institutions, and government agencies are collaborating on the technologies of the future. COMET supports this collaboration through matchmaking, innovation projects, grants, and knowledge sharing. Would you like to learn more about the project or its results? Please contact Judith InbergContact person:Judith Inberg Tech Business Developer, Oost NL +31 6 22 07 86 29 <a href="mailto:judith.inberg@oostnl.nl">judith.inberg@oostnl.nl</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:89.34%;"><img src="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/251104_Logo_transp_CMYK_COMET_2_regels_0c4c2684cd.jpg?token=ynPe9oxXFNFgYNcFaHqNeE1MRwihwAv6BR9Un8ltjas&amp;expires=1785330877" alt="251104 Logo_transp_CMYK_COMET 2 regels.jpg" srcset="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/thumbnail_251104_Logo_transp_CMYK_COMET_2_regels_0c4c2684cd.jpg?token=ZZncCOOQ1V57tKlWa8K7GVwA7oirWg6sfKXRZ1SbI-A&amp;expires=1785330877 245w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/small_251104_Logo_transp_CMYK_COMET_2_regels_0c4c2684cd.jpg?token=_XGz9m9UraQH4z5hJga6TEaRTDLshidmi9TuviFwZ1A&amp;expires=1785330877 500w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/medium_251104_Logo_transp_CMYK_COMET_2_regels_0c4c2684cd.jpg?token=T91VDVhCTCuV6sEhUa8ZiO-RgrYAickFmc0cDruBZQE&amp;expires=1785330877 750w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/large_251104_Logo_transp_CMYK_COMET_2_regels_0c4c2684cd.jpg?token=iQtbM9Txr2gNP5SvITMIsko4EeaVpcxsjum1dlcNBH8&amp;expires=1785330877 1000w" sizes="100vw" width="1000"></figure>

The Einstein Telescope (ET) will be a highly sensitive underground observatory for detecting gravitational waves. To make this groundbreaking technology possible, new innovations are needed in fields such as optics, lasers, vacuum technology, cryogenics, and data analysis. Through the Interreg VI project COMET (CoMaking the Einstein Telescope), Dutch and German companies, research institutions, and innovation partners are collaborating on the development of these key technologies.