The nature of dark matter, the hierarchy of particle masses, and the excess of matter in the universe are some of the questions that the Standard Model cannot answer. Solutions to these questions can be found in various models of new physics. While some scenarios point to the existence of new, heavy particles beyond the reach of the LHC, others contain light particles that interact only very weakly with particles of the Standard Model, and whose detection requires high precision and thus vast amounts of data.

Since 2014, CERN has therefore been developing a successor project for the Large Hadron Collider that is intended to meet this dual challenge: the Future Circular Collider FCC, with its FCC-ee and FCC-hh stages. The feasibility study for this new accelerator was presented in March 2025 and discussed at the "FCC Week 2025" taking place this week in Vienna's Hofburg, organized by the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the Vienna University of Technology and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences together with CERN. 614 participants from 34 countries gave 230 oral presentations and presented 33 posters.

This event was accompanied by a broad public program: particle physics for school classes in the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel, a panel discussion with CERN Director General Fabiola Gianotti at the Austrian National Library, a CERN photo exhibition on Josefsplatz, a Pint of Science Festival at the Pickwick Pub, and a gala concert by the Johann Strauss Orchestra at the Musikverein. To open up business opportunities at CERN for Austrian companies, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber hosted a parallel event at the Hofburg Palace.