EST Canarian Foundation

Throughout the preparatory phase of EST, significant efforts were devoted to establishing a project office with extensive design expertise to ensure the incorporation of the latest technologies, to advance the preliminary design of the EST and to optimise the telescope construction process.

The current intermediate phase of EST serves as a bridge between the preparatory phase and the construction phase. This will make it possible to start staff recruitment for construction activities as soon as construction funds are secured. The European Solar Telescope Canarian Foundation (EST-CF) has been created to manage and steer the project during this intermediate phase. 

On 25 July 2023, nine institutions from seven European countries gathered in Santa Cruz de Tenerife to sign the documents required to create the EST Foundation. Although nine research institutions spearheaded the creation of the Foundation, other institutions will have the opportunity to join at a later stage. For example, the University of Graz became a new member of the Foundation in December 2023.

The Foundation confers legal status to the project consortium and sets an appropriate framework for the development and construction phases of the telescope. It gives participating institutions decision-making power on the scientific, technological, and industrial aspects of the project.

The EST Foundation will advance the project towards subsequent phases and milestones, in particular the creation of the EST European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC). The EST ERIC will bring together the national ministries of the partner countries and will become the legal entity responsible for overseeing all construction and operational aspects of the infrastructure.