Dear friends and colleagues!

We have several festive days ahead of us, and a year full of intensive and interesting work, challenges, achievements, and victories behind us. It’s time to take a moment to reflect on the results and think about the future in anticipation of the greatest joy of our profession, the birth of new knowledge, and the almost magical transformation of ideas into reality.

We will remember the past year first of all for outstanding scientific results, important achievements in the development of the Institute’s research infrastructure, and significant events in JINR’s life as an international intergovernmental organization.

Preparations for the comprehensive technological tests of the NICA Accelerator Complex are nearing completion at the Laboratory of High Energy Physics. A milestone in the implementation of the MPD Project at NICA was reached: the MPD Detector solenoid was successfully cooled to helium temperature. Five runs took place at NICA channels for applied research.

The Superheavy Element Factory is successfully operating at the Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions. The modernisation of the U400M Accelerator was completed, and the first series of experiments was finished. The construction of a new experimental building for the U400R is ahead of schedule.

The Laboratory of Neutron Physics almost completed the technological work on the launch of the IBR-2M.

The Laboratory of Nuclear Problems successfully organized expeditions to develop the Baikal-GVD Neutrino Telescope, which brought this facility to record-breaking parameters in a number of characteristics.

The Multifunctional Information and Computing Complex of the Laboratory of Information Technologies reached a qualitatively new level, which makes it possible for JINR to fulfil obligations on the participation in international collaborations in accordance with the highest global standards.

The Laboratory of Radiation Biology acted as a catalyst in shaping the Institute’s multidisciplinary research agenda.

JINR reliably holds the high bar as one of the most productive centres in terms of the number of publications in leading scientific journals in a wide range of research areas, in which the unique Laboratory of Theoretical Physics plays a crucial role. In 2024, the Institute organized over 80 international scientific events, including major conferences with more than 200 participants.

Thanks to the intensive work of the University Centre, more than 600 students and postgraduates from dozens of countries took part in scientific and educational programmes of the Institute, and carried out qualification works.

The involvement of Vietnamese and Egyptian scientists in JINR activities is rapidly expanding, and they are gradually entering a consistent working mode. In the past year, cooperation with the People’s Republic of China reached a qualitatively new level, and cooperation with Brazil, Serbia, and South Africa significantly intensified. JINR scientists continue to participate in the international research programme at CERN.

The social infrastructure of the Institute has been actively developing. The healthcare sector has improved due to the major transformations of the Medical Unit No. 9, which would have been impossible without the support of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of the Russian Federation and the Dubna administration.

In the difficult geopolitical conditions of 2024, these and many other results were achieved thanks to the dedicated, sometimes strenuous, work of scientists, engineers, workers, and specialists not only in JINR laboratories, but also in the administrative departments and offices of the Institute.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to the entire JINR team, to each of our employees. It is a great honour to work with you!

Facing the tasks of 2025 will require us to concentrate our efforts on all areas of the Institute’s activities. This year, preceding the JINR 70th anniversary, we will put the NICA Accelerator Complex into operation, begin preparations for experiments on the synthesis of elements 119 and 120, resume the international user programme at IBR-2M, complete large-scale reconstruction of several social infrastructure facilities, continuing the progressive development of the Institute as a unique integration platform for multilateral international scientific and technical cooperation.

Happy New Year, dear friends! Wishing your families happiness, success, and joy!

JINR Director, RAS Academician Grigory Trubnikov