The University of Chicago has expanded its scientific collaboration with European partners by launching a new International Research Laboratory (IRL) focused on particle physics and cosmology. The initiative is a partnership between the University of Chicago, the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), and Université Paris Cité.
The agreement to create the IRL was signed on November 19 by UChicago President Paul Alivisatos, CNRS Chairman and CEO Antoine Petit, and Antoine Kouchner, vice president of International Relations at Université Paris Cité.
In his remarks at the event, Alivisatos said, “The UChicago-CNRS partnership has already laid significant roots across the whole University—from the humanities and social sciences to what we will be celebrating today, particle physics and cosmology. Those roots will deepen and grow and will continue to blossom in ways we haven’t even fully captured yet.”
UChicago and CNRS have been collaborating since 2022 through the International Research Center for Fundamental Discovery program, known as IRC Discovery. The signing ceremony took place during that program’s annual leadership meeting.
Petit described the cooperation as “fruitful [and] long-lasting,” welcoming UPCité’s involvement in both the new IRL for particle physics and cosmology as well as an existing IRL in humanities research.
Kouchner commented, “Today’s signature represents a milestone celebrating collaboration already deeply rooted in our scientific communities.” He also pointed out UPCité’s proximity to UChicago’s John W. Boyer Center in Paris, which could facilitate future joint activities.
Bonnie Fleming, UChicago professor of physics and chief research officer at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, will serve as deputy director of the new IRL. Visiting scholar Cédric Cerna will act as director. Cerna said that the scope of collaboration spans "from the infinitely small to the infinitely large," including research from quantum scales up to studies on the structure of the universe.
A key element of this partnership is joint work on projects such as the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). The collaboration strengthens ties between UChicago, CNRS, and Fermilab—particularly around construction efforts like Fermilab's PIP-II accelerator project designed to advance neutrino beam technology for DUNE experiments. These developments are seen as important steps toward answering fundamental questions about matter, energy, and cosmic origins.
Beyond DUNE, partners aim to support further research into advanced accelerator technologies and participate in projects like planning for a future muon collider—efforts expected to foster innovation internationally.
IRC Discovery provides joint research opportunities through funding for Ph.D. students; supports academic mobility with access to facilities; hosts workshops; builds professional networks; facilitates international cooperation structures; and offers help with securing external grants for collaborative projects.
At an October 29 event in Paris focused on international science research partnerships, Nadya Mason—dean of UChicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering—emphasized IRC Discovery’s role linking basic science with innovation by citing examples from quantum research at UChicago. She participated alongside leaders such as Teruo Fujii from The University of Tokyo and Maria Leptin from the European Research Council. Prof. Vincenzo Vitelli from UChicago also attended as faculty director of IRC Discovery.