United Kingdom withdraws participation in European XFEL

On 16 December 2009, the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) announced their withdrawal from the European XFEL project. Due to financial restrictions, the Council had to reprioritise their budget of ca. 2.7 billion Euro over the next five years. The European XFEL is one of 33 research projects from which the UK is now withdrawing completely. The planned UK contribution to the construction cost of the facility was 2.8 %.

“Of course we are disappointed about this decision by the STFC” commented Massimo Altarelli, Chairman of the European XFEL Management Board. “Besides the financial loss for the project it is very unfortunate for our British colleagues that their research contributions are now in question. We would very much welcome a re-evaluation of the decision on the part of the STFC.”

More about it on the STFC site: Science Programme Prioritisation 2010-2015