Objective
With TerraPRIME, I propose an ambitious, multidisciplinary research program that will harness cutting-edge analytical techniques to tackle one of life’s most profound questions: How are planets primed to support life?
The emergence of life on Earth depended critically on the timely availability of volatile and organic compounds, which could only accumulate after the planetary surface cooled enough to sustain these prebiotic molecules. During this period, as Earth’s surface conditions became increasingly hospitable for life, models of interplanetary dust dynamics show that dust accumulation peaked—delivering orders of magnitude more mass than the bombardment from larger meteorites. Tiny equivalents of this dust are preserved as micro- to millimeter-sized dark clasts found in ancient meteorites, which are fragments of planetesimals that formed in the terrestrial planet region.
These dark clasts provide a unique window into the original mixture of water and organic compounds delivered to the relatively dry inner Solar System, where Earth and its neighbouring planets formed. However, much remains unknown about their prebiotic inventory, their place and time of formation, their journey through space, and the timing of their arrival in the terrestrial planet region. Without this knowledge, it is difficult to assess their potential as delivery systems for the essential building blocks of life.
Tracing the journey of these dark clasts—from their origin to their delivery onto rocky planets—is crucial for understanding how life’s ingredients are distributed across planetary systems and for evaluating the likelihood of life emerging on planets beyond our Solar System. This question is particularly timely today, as the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) will actively search for potentially habitable worlds around other stars, underscoring the importance of understanding how planets become prepared to support life.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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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) ERC-2026-STG
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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.
1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark
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.