Project description
Investigating the building blocks of black holes
Black holes hold the key to unlocking one of the biggest mysteries in physics: how to unify general relativity and quantum mechanics into a single theory of quantum gravity. Their microscopic structure is at the heart of this puzzle. Are the defining features of black holes, such as the event horizon, present in each individual quantum state, or do they emerge only as a collective, thermodynamic effect? With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the FundOfBlack project will explore black-hole microstate behaviour, examining their composition from strings or branes and analysing their collective properties using quantum-chaos tools. Project findings will deepen our understanding of black holes and bring us closer to solving the quantum gravity puzzle.
Objective
Black holes provide an ideal testing ground for any theory of quantum gravity, a unified framework that combines General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. String Theory, our best candidate for such a theory, has successfully passed many demanding tests in black-hole physics. Yet the exact nature of the fundamental constituents — the microstates — of black holes remains unresolved. Do individual microstates already contain an event horizon, from which nothing can escape, or does the horizon emerge only as a collective, thermodynamic feature?
This project aims to resolve these tensions by studying both the individual and collective properties of black-hole microstates. It will proceed along three complementary research routes: (i) determine whether the most generic microstates in string theory are individually smooth geometries that resemble black holes from afar but differ near the horizon; (ii) investigate under what conditions black holes can be composed of highly excited strings or brane bound states; and (iii) apply statistical and quantum-chaos diagnostics to known microstates to identify the ensemble properties they must satisfy. Together, these approaches will provide decisive insights into the microscopic structure of black holes, clarify whether horizons are fundamental or emergent, and advance our broader understanding of quantum gravity.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1012WX Amsterdam
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.