Project description
Tracking dark matter through gravitational waves
Dark matter continues to be one of the most intriguing puzzles in the universe. Despite strong evidence about its existence, we are still in the dark as to what dark matter truly is. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ULDM-GW project seeks to reveal these cosmic secrets by catching dark matter waves with the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). These waves interact with the elements of the interferometer and look like continuous, slow gravitational waves with a frequency inaccessible to Earth-based instruments. By studying the different polarisations of these waves, the team develops search algorithms that will enable us to differentiate between dark matter candidates and true gravitational waves from astrophysical objects.
Objective
Despite compelling astrophysical and cosmological evidence for dark matter, its nature remains unknown. Ultralight dark matter (ULDM) is a well-motivated candidate, producing distinctive signatures that can be probed with gravitational wave (GW) interferometers. Spin-0, spin-1, and spin-2 ULDM couple differently to Standard Model particles, inducing measurable effects in GW detectors, but distinguishing between ULDM spins, and between ULDM and continuous astrophysical GWs, is challenging due to signal similarities. This project will exploit LISA’s low-frequency band and orbital configuration to detect ULDM in a frequency band unexplored by ground-based detectors and discriminate signal types through their characteristic polarization content. By combining theoretical modeling of ULDM signals with dedicated search strategies, we will develop the first end-to-end LISA pipeline capable of both detecting ULDM and constraining signal type. The project will be carried out in CEICO-FZU (host) and L2IT-CNRS (secondment), with strong expertise in ULDM and LISA science respectively. We will establish waveform templates and signal characteristics in both time and frequency domains, develop a semi-coherent search and a fully coherent search for ULDM in LISA, and will forecast how effectively polarization measurements can distinguish between spin-0, spin-1, and spin-2 ULDM, and continuous astrophysical GWs. This approach will deliver the highest sensitivity to ULDM across LISA’s frequency range, surpassing existing experimental limits by orders of magnitude, while providing a robust framework to differentiate candidate signals. The outcome will advance both fundamental dark matter searches and GW data analysis, establishing LISA as a powerful probe of the dark sector.
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.
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.
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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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
182 00 PRAHA 8
Czechia
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.