Positive Geometry in Particle Physics and Cosmology: UNIVERSE+

UNIVERSE+ is an ERC Synergy Grant project initiated by four leading researchers: Nima Arkani-Hamed (Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton), Daniel Baumann (formerly University of Amsterdam, now University of Cambridge), Johannes Henn (Max Planck Institute for Physics, Munich), and Bernd Sturmfels (Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences, Leipzig). Together, they developed the scientific vision underlying the project and established a unique collaboration that brings together expertise in mathematics, particle physics, cosmology, and geometry across four world-leading research institutions.

The project has created a strong synergy between the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, the University of Amsterdam, the Max Planck Institute for Physics in Munich, and the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences in Leipzig. Following Daniel Baumann’s move to the University of Cambridge in June 2026, this network has expanded further to include Cambridge as an additional hub for collaboration and scientific exchange.

UNIVERSE+ is the first collaboration of this kind and has only recently become possible through a confluence of major advances in both mathematics and fundamental physics. Together, the team seeks to develop a new mathematical language capable of describing physical phenomena across all scales, from the interactions of elementary particles to the large-scale structure of the Universe. By combining ideas from geometry, quantum field theory, and cosmology, the project aims to uncover hidden structures underlying nature while fostering a vibrant international research environment. Through its ambitious scientific program, UNIVERSE+ seeks to attract outstanding young researchers from diverse backgrounds and provide them with the opportunity to contribute to questions

For further information regarding UNIVERSE+: https://positive-geometry.com/

IAS Press Release: https://www.ias.edu/news/erc-synergy-grant-universe

Select Upcoming Events:
coming soon ... 

Select Past Events:
Meeting at the Extremes Workshop, May 18-22, 2026, IAS

UNIVERSE+ School: Exploring Positive Geometry, March 30 - April 10, 2026, Les Houches School of Physics 

Chow Lectures featuring Nima Arkani-Hamed, October 6-8, 2025, Max Planck Institute for Physics, Leipzig, Germany (lecture recordings are available here)

Positive Geometry in Scattering Amplitudes and Cosmological Correlators Workshop, February 10-21, 2025, International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Bangalore, India

Positivity in Positive Geometry Meeting, January 8, 2025, Max Planck Institute for Physics in Garching, Germany

QCD Meets Gravity 2024, December 9-13, 2024, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Combinatorics of Fundamental Physics Workshop, November 18-22, 2024, IAS

Holonomic Techniques for Feynman Integrals Workshop, October 14-18, 2024, Max Planck Institute for Physics, Garching, Germany

Amplitudes and Combinatorics Synergy Event, October 3-4, 2024, IAS

Kick-Off Meeting, August 19-23, 2024, Bad Honnef, Germany

Amplitudes 2024, June 10-21, 2024, IAS