Astronomy in excellent centre

The Swedish Research Council grants The AlbaNova High Energy Astrophysics and Cosmology (HEAC) Centre funding of several million SEK.

On February 16, the Swedish Research Council decided on funding for excellent research centra. A total of 261 applications were submitted, and 10 of these recieved financial support in this new commitment to excellent research centra. (Link to press release in Swedish here.)

In the field of science and technology five applications were awarded funding, and among these was The AlbaNova High Energy Astrophysics and Cosmology (HEAC) Centre at Stockholm University. Claes Fransson at Stockholm Observatory is heading the application. At the department of Astronomy, the research groups for supernovae, high energy astrophysics and observational cosmology are involved in the project.

HEAC is also a collaboration with the department of Physics at Stockholm University and KTH.

A fundamental idea behind the new centre is to build a joint graduate school for research in high energy astrophysics and cosmology, shared together by these research groups.

Contact: Claes Fransson
Telephone: 5537 8517

From the evaluation:

This proposal builds on the establishment of the AlbaNova Centre three years ago in Stockholm, bringing together in one location strong groups in high energy astrophysics, astroparticle physics and cosmology, cutting across research fields and geographical locations within the city. Specifically the proposal is to build on the AlbaNova Centre to form the Centre for High Energy Astrophysics and Cosmology which will focus on the development of a coherent educational program spanning these fields, reflecting the research opportunities that are now being exploited by leading groups worldwide and allowing these opportunities to now be nourished more effectively in Sweden. The group should be encouraged to include women in the educational program and to pay attention to their having appropriate resources to develop their careers. The panel recommends funding.