There have been many contacts between Algerian physicists working outside the country (principally in Marseille, Grenoble and Annecy, France) and CERN. The Algerian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research expressed his support during a visit to CERN, and an International Cooperation Agreement (ICA) was signed in 2008.

The University Houari Boumedienne (Algiers), the University of Oran and others, including the microelectronics laboratory at the Center for Development of Advanced Technologies (CDTA), Algiers, have expressed interest in participating in CERN research programmes, including at the LHC and ISOLDE, and this interest is being pursued with the Algerian government with the support of external Algerian physicists working in ATLAS.