The Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, as a new member of the ELI ERIC network, is pleased to present the latest edition of the ELI News for ILO newsletter.

Slovakia and Montenegro have joined the network as observers, strengthening their participation in European research infrastructures. This mutual accession expands ELI’s community of members and observers and reinforces its role as a platform connecting national research communities with major laser facilities across Europe.

“Slovakia and Montenegro bring complementary strengths to ELI, ranging from established technical capacities to highly active research communities,” said Alen Viks, ELI Director General. “Their participation strengthens the link between national research systems and large-scale experimental infrastructure. Observer status within ELI provides a platform for research and training, as well as a network that supports their work,” he added.

This edition of the newsletter places a particular focus on further developing cooperation within the European Research Area. A notable example is the signing of a new agreement between ELI ERIC and Vilnius University. This agreement reaffirms the importance of long-term engagement in the development of cutting-edge optical technologies, such as OPCPA systems, in which Lithuanian industry plays a leading role. It clearly demonstrates how national scientific and industrial capacities can directly contribute to the development of the most advanced research infrastructures.

A key section of the newsletter focuses on connecting technology companies with research centres. Several important industry-focused events were successfully held.

In January, ELI, in collaboration with the Big Science Business Forum (BSBF) initiative and Meike Arnold, the Dutch Industry Liaison Officer, organised an Industry Day focused on expanding ELI’s portfolio of suppliers and partners. The event was held at the ELI Beamlines facility and brought together representatives of European technology companies and institutions interested in collaborating with large-scale research infrastructures.

For businesses and innovative companies, the announcement of new opportunities is of particular importance. One such opportunity is a tender for the supply of a gamma-ray and neutron detector system for pulsed radiation fields, with an estimated value of approximately €60,000.

The tender covers the supply of a detector system that meets the required functional, performance, safety, and applicable quality standards to support the research activities of ELI ERIC.

In addition, the newsletter announces several important upcoming events in 2026:

Lithuanian Industry Day at ELI Beamlines, scheduled for 29 September 2026, as well as ELI ERIC’s participation in the prestigious Big Science Business Forum (BSBF 2026) in Maastricht, taking place from 27 to 30 October 2026.

You can read the full newsletter in the document below.