Objective
Proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) produce an intense flux of forward-directed neutrinos with the highest energies ever achieved in a laboratory. For 15 years, these neutrinos went undetected due to the lack of dedicated instrumentation. Their breakthrough observation in 2023 by the FASER and SND@LHC experiments marks the beginning of a new “collider neutrino” era, opening pioneering scientific opportunities. The study of these collider neutrinos addresses foundational questions in the strong interaction, from the antimatter content of the proton to the emergence of gluon-dominated matter. It also supports precise predictions for Higgs boson properties, enables isolating New Physics signatures at the LHC and the far-forward detectors, and offers a unique laboratory-based testbed for extreme phenomena in astroparticle physics.
To seize these unprecedented opportunities, UNICORN will develop a comprehensive theoretical framework for modelling collider neutrino production and scattering, combining state-of-the-art calculations and Monte Carlo simulations with machine learning techniques. Applied to FASER and SND@LHC data from Run 3 (2022–2026), this project will enable the first determination of neutrino and muon deep-inelastic structure functions at TeV energies, proton structure global analyses including collider neutrino constraints, the validation of forward hadron production models, and data-driven predictions for prompt fluxes and cross-sections for neutrino astronomy.
Exploiting the scientific potential of LHC neutrinos represents a once-in-a-lifetime transformative prospect for particle and astroparticle physics. By deploying our cutting-edge theoretical toolbox to the LHC far-forward experiments, UNICORN is uniquely positioned to scrutinise the strong interaction in uncharted regimes, provide critical inputs for Higgs physics and New Physics searches, and lay the groundwork for a thriving neutrino program at the High-Luminosity LHC
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.
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics neutrinos
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics particle accelerator
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computational science
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence machine learning
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics higgs bosons
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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) ERC-2025-ADG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
1081 HV 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.