The Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC) is a research center run by the Indian government's Department of Atomic Energy. VECC has three locations in Kolkata and focuses on nuclear science research and developing advanced particle accelerators. They work with the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Their main cyclotron, the first of its kind in India, has been running since 16 June 1977 and provides proton, deuteron, alpha and various particle beams to other research institutions.