IPAC’26: GANIL hosted the global community of accelerator physicians

From May 17 to 22, 2026, GANIL hosted the 17th International Particle Accelerator Conference (IPAC’26) in partnership with CEA, CNRS, the EPS Accelerator Group, ESRF, and SOLEIL. Held at the Deauville International Centre in Normandy, the conference brought together more than 1,500 participants from around the world, for an exceptional week of scientific exchange, collaboration, and innovation.

IPAC is the leading international conference for the accelerator community, bringing together scientists, engineers, industry representatives, and students. The conference covers a broad range of topics, including large-scale colliders, synchrotron light sources, nuclear physics facilities, medical applications, and emerging accelerator technologies. Organized annually, IPAC rotates between Europe, the Americas, and Asia, with the next two editions scheduled to take place in the Americas and Asia.

IPAC’26 featured more than 2,000 presentations focused on the latest developments in the field of research and development of cutting-edge accelerators, on new accelerator projects and on updates on the main acceleration structures around the world. Nearly 120 companies participated in the industrial exhibition, making it one of the world’s largest marketplaces for accelerator technologies and fostering strong connections between research institutions and industry. An awards programme recognised outstanding contributions from members of the accelerator community. Thanks to the support of numerous sponsors and the Normandy Region, more than 250 early-career researchers were able to attend, representing the next generation of accelerator scientists and engineers. The week ended with the opportunity to visit the SOLEIL, ESRF and GANIL research facilities. 150 participants were welcomed at GANIL.

From left to right : Robin Ferdinand, CEA-GANIL ; Stefano Panebianco, mission officier Large-Scale Research Infrastructure, Ministry of Higher Education and Research; Mark Thomson, director-general of CERN; Pierre Vedrine, CEA-IRFU deputy director ; Jean Susini, director-general of SOLEIL ; Hanna Franberg-Delahaye, GANIL-CEA, Local Organising Committee Chair ; Rogelio Tomas, CERN, Scientific Programme Committee Chair, Peter McIntosh, STFC, International Organising Committee Chair ; Jean Daillant, Director-General of ESRF ; Hervé Savajols, Director of GANIL. ©Photographe BabXIII

IPAC, held in Europe every three years, is highly competitive in its organization. “We are proud to have placed France at the heart of the international stage, highlighting GANIL’s key role in particle accelerator technologies,” emphasizes Hervé Savajols, director of GANIL. With IPAC, GANIL has strengthened its visibility and international collaborations, while showcasing its unique infrastructure to the scientific community.

Contact : Hanna Franberg-Delahaye Hanna.franberg@ganil.fr