With the core funding we secure, Astrocent carries out cutting-edge research in particle astrophysics, combining fundamental science with advanced technology development. The outcomes of this work include new detection technologies and methods that contribute to major scientific discoveries while also enabling applications with broader societal and industrial impact.
Teaming for Excellence / WIDERA – Horizon Europe
Project title: Astrocent Plus — Particle Astrophysics Science and Technology Centre
Funding agency: European Research Executive Agency (REA)
Contract No. 101137080 signed 04.11.2024
Total cost € 15 000 000,00
EU contribution € 15 000 000,00
Description: The grant supports the transformation of the Centre of Excellence Astrocent into Astrocent Plus (AC+), a new interdisciplinary research institute that will strengthen excellence in astroparticle physics while expanding into innovative technologies and applications. It will enable a modern research and management model, deepen collaboration with leading international partners, and further connect cutting-edge science with industry for societal impact.
Project implementation period: 1.01.2025 – 31.12.2030
International Research Agenda IRAP FENG / Foundation for Polish Science
Project title: Astrocent – Particle Astrophysics Technology Centre
Funding agency: Foundation for Polish Science
Contract No. ………………. signed …….2026
Project budget total: PLN 34 046 400,00
Description: The overarching goal of the project is to develop breakthrough, highly scalable and multi-channel detection systems for scientific and commercial applications. The technologies being developed are crucial for research into the biggest questions of modern physics (including dark matter, neutrinos and gravitational waves), while also opening up new opportunities in areas such as medicine, security, environmental and climate monitoring, renewable energy, and seismology (including early-warning systems).
Project implementation period: 1.01.2026 – 31.12.2030
Initiative of the Minister of Science and Higher Education
Project title: Support for the project “Astrocent Plus – Particle Astrophysics Science and Technology Centre (Astrocent Plus)”
Funding agency: Ministry of Science and Higher Education
Contract No. MNiSW/2025/DIR/811 signed 30.12.2025
Project budget total: PLN 29 750 000,00
Description:
The aim is to support the project entitled ‘Astrocent Plus – Particle Astrophysics Science and Technology Centre (Astrocent Plus)’, co-financed by the European Commission from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Framework Programme as part of the Teaming for Excellence initiative, aimed at developing the Astrocent Centre of Excellence in conducting basic research combined with innovative applied research and development work in the field of particle astrophysics, aimed at developing technologies used both in groundbreaking scientific research and in solving global challenges such as health protection, climate change and sustainable energy sources.
Project implementation period: 1.10.2025 – 31.12.2030
International Research Agenda IRAP / Foundation for Polish Science
Project title: Astrocent – Particle Astrophysics Science and Technology Centre
Funding agency: Foundation for Polish Science
Contract No. MAB/2018/7 signed 03.07.2018
Project budget total: PLN 37 999 977,00
Description:
The grant funds the creation and five-year operation (from 1 July 2018) of AstroCeNT as an autonomous unit at the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center PAS, providing nearly 38 million PLN (about €9M) to build an international Centre of Excellence in particle astrophysics. It supports research and technology development for exploring the “hidden Universe” (especially dark matter and gravitational waves), including advanced detector, electronics, seismic-noise mitigation, and data-processing capabilities, strengthened through strategic partnerships with leading institutions abroad.
Project implementation period: 1.07.2018 – 31.12.2023