Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : AToM-FM (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Computer Science and Informatics
Entité participante : Université d'Édimbourg — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1499453.0 €

The recent revolution in generative AI is powered by the ever-growing scale of Foundation Models (FMs). This, however, causes a series of harmful ramifications, such as their unsustainable energy demand and environmental pollution, which accelerate climate change. Moreover, the scale of FMs jeopardises data privacy, as it compels users to deploy them on third-party servers rather than edge devices. AToM-FM sets out to reverse this trend by remedying a fundamental source of inefficiency in FMs: the granularity of the "atomic" units for representing information in current FMs is fixed, as it entirely depends on how they update their memory and segment input data (a process known as tokenization). Instead, AToM-FMs will couple their granularity with the complexity of each task, allocating only as much computing effort as needed. As its key technical breakthrough, AToM-FM will make memory and tokenization adaptive, elevating FMs to unprecedented levels of efficiency. To facilitate the swift adoption of this new technology, I will repurpose state-of-the-art FMs into adaptive architectures and release them to the public. This will not only drastically cut the carbon footprint of FM deployment and uphold data privacy, but also foster the emergence of new FM capabilities. In fact, compressing the FM representations will effectively broaden their horizon, i.e., the amount of input and output they can perceive and generate, respectively, without exhausting their memory. This will unlock 1) permanent memories, which are a prerequisite for lifelong learning; 2) longer reasoning chains, perfecting the mathematical and planning skills of FMs; 3) modality-agnostic and fine-grained inputs, facilitating the integration of low-resource modalities and grounding agentive FMs onto physical spaces. Overall, AToM-FM's ambitious agenda will usher in the next generation of FMs, paving the way for efficient and long-horizon AI.

Mots-clés : foundation models,transformers,state space models,memory,tokenization,efficiency,green ai,data privacy,long sequence modelling,lifelong learning,chain of thought reasoning,multimodal,grounding
Projet ERC : ArtDisQ (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Fundamental Constituents of Matter
Entité participante : Société Max-Planck pour le développement des sciences — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : Société Max Planck
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 38560.64 €

The experimental capabilities to generate, control, and measure complex quantum systems have dramatically improved over the last few years. With ingenious proposals for practical applications, a powerful new paradigm of technology emerges that exploits quantum superposition and quantum entanglement. As these systems get more advanced, designing new quantum experiments and hardware becomes ever more intricate for human scientists. To exploit the full potential of quantum physics, researchers have started to involve artificial intelligence in the automated design of quantum experiments. Unfortunately, even the currently most powerful methodologies have severe limitations and therefore cannot cope with the enormous potential that quantum mechanics promises us.  For that reason, in ARTDISQ, I propose to build high-performance physical simulators which are at the heart of all AI-driven discovery and design efforts. The key idea is to use a framework originally developed for the efficient training and execution of large neural networks, called JAX. JAX is powerful enough to encode not only neural networks but a wide range of computer algorithms. It allows for modern high-performance computational techniques such as just-in-time compilation, auto-differentiation and direct access to the GPU. In ARTDISQ I will exploit this dramatic acceleration, which will open previously unchartered applications, including AI-driven (1) design of highly sensitive and robust quantum-enhanced gravitational wave detectors (2) design of new quantum techniques for imaging systems, with a focus on optical telescopes (3) hardware-software co-design for quantum hardware with the potential of discovering highly unorthodox and exotic solutions with superior behaviour.  As such, ARTDISQ aims to develop a revolutionary way to augment human researchers' ingenuity and creativity to accelerate scientific discoveries.

Mots-clés : artificial intelligence,automated design,quantum enhanced telescopes,gravitational wave detectors
Projet ERC : ElucidAge (Horizon Europe, appel 2021, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing
Entité participante : Société Max-Planck pour le développement des sciences — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : Société Max Planck
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1378125.0 €

Advancing age is the major risk factor for many serious illnesses, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. The rising number of older individuals is thus causing a major burden of ill health. However, individuals that reach an exceptional old age often seem to escape or delay age-related diseases, and part of this trait seems to be encoded in their genome. Hence, by studying the genome of long-lived individuals, we may be able to identify mechanisms that could be targeted for healthy ageing in the general population. My previous work suggests that large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of long-lived individuals can be used to identify genetic variants involved in longevity. However, the common genetic variants thus far identified using GWAS only explain a minor part of the genetic component of longevity. This trait, therefore, may well be mainly determined by rare genetic variants, which can be detected using whole-genome or exome sequencing of long-lived families or exceptionally long-lived individuals. The aim of the proposed project is to establish the effect of genetic variants identified in genetic studies of long-lived individuals on general health and lifespan using cellular models and, subsequently, model organisms. To this end, I will use CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to generate transgenic cell lines and mice that harbour genetic variants in candidate genes and pathways identified through GWAS and sequencing studies of long-lived families and individuals. I will subsequently use this information to create a high-throughput screening assay to identify compounds that can pharmacologically recapitulate the observed in vitro effects. As a proof-of-principle, I will start with functional characterisation of rare variants in genes involved in insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IIS) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling, given the well-known role of these networks in ageing in pre-clinical model organisms.

Mots-clés : functional characterisation genetic variants crispr cas9 longevity lifespan healthspan model organisms high throughput screening drug discovery
Projet ERC : GIGA (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Universe Sciences
Entité participante : Société Max-Planck pour le développement des sciences — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : Société Max Planck
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 237312.5 €

When galaxies merge, do their central supermassive black holes also merge? How does the merger affect star formation and the evolution of galaxies? How does physics beyond the Standard Model of particles affect the Universe? The detection and characterisation of low-frequency gravitational waves (GWs) will address these fundamental and longstanding questions of astronomy and cosmology. Supermassive black holes at the centres of merging galaxies are expected to form binary systems whose orbital motion generates GWs. A cosmological population of such systems combine to build up a GW background (GWB). Such a GWB is also expected if the Universe went through an inflationary period, providing a GW map just moments after the Big Bang. Pulsar timing arrays (PTAs), which are ensembles of extremely stable millisecond pulsars (rotating neutron stars), can be used to study this GWB. Searches for the GWB have typically used sensitive radio telescopes. However, radio data exhibit complex noise processes, predominantly arising from the interstellar medium (ISM), that limit its sensitivity and introduce bias. Gamma rays are immune to the effects of the ISM and a gamma-ray PTA can overcome several of the limitations affecting radio data. GIGA will (a) establish a gamma-ray PTA and independently detect the GWB, (b) develop advanced inference techniques to distinguish its astrophysical origins, (c) measure properties of the ISM through multiwavelength studies, and (d) explore energy-dependent couplings of dark matter. Through these avenues, GIGA will also maximise the sensitivity of radio PTAs and provide crucial validation of their measurements.  The detection of the GWB will provide the first stringent constraints on the dynamical evolution of supermassive black holes and their host galaxies while advanced inferences techniques will aid in disentangling weaker astrophysical sources including cosmic strings and phase transitions, thus probing physics beyond the Standard Model.

Mots-clés : pulsar timing arrays,pulsars
Projet ERC : PERGAP (Horizon Europe, appel 2021, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The Soci al World and Its Interactions
Entité participante : Société Max-Planck pour le développement des sciences — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : Société Max Planck
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 62500.0 €

Aim: PERGAP aims to advance knowledge on the societal causes leading to the (mis)perception of economic inequality by developing new instruments for the assessment and comparison of the institutional structure of welfare states and investigating their impact on perception and justification processes–before, during, and potentially after the pandemic crisis and across different structural and cultural settings. Novel Contribution: PERGAP will create a unique country-comparative dataset on institutional disparities and expand knowledge of the (self-)legitimizing mechanisms of public institutions. Ultimately, it will lead to a comprehensive theoretical and empirical understanding of the impact of public institutions on social perceptions and preference formations, with implications for scientists and non-scientists alike. Conceptual Approach: Moving beyond classical distinctions of welfare regime typologies and uniting approaches from neo-institutionalist theory and empirical social justice research, I propose that social security systems provide distinct answers to the questions of ‘who gets what and why?’ and ‘who should get what and why?’ This ultimately shapes how citizens view and justify inequalities. Research Steps: (1) I will collect legal information on the ‘institutional imprints of social disparities’ in social security systems (i.e. healthcare, old age security, unemployment, minimum protection) across 50 European and non-European countries for three time points. (2) I will combine this information with country-comparative survey data to explore how institutional structures affect perceptions and justifications. Relevance: The rise of economic inequality in countries around the globe is causing societal and political concern. In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, these debates have taken on new significance. How individuals perceive and respond to inequalities varies between societies and social groups; yet its contextual causes are still underexplored.

Mots-clés : social perception,justice attitudes,public opinion,economic inequality,welfare state,social law,institutions,country comparative
Projet ERC : MATRIX (Horizon Europe, appel 2021, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The Study of the Human Past
Entité participante : Université de l'Algarve — Pays : Portugal — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UALG
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1955213.0 €

The demise of Neandertals and the peopling of Europe by anatomically modern humans (AMH) occurred, geologically speaking, in the blink of an eye. While we know that Neandertals and AMH interbred, how and where this interaction occurred remains unresolved. Now that humans can be fingerprinted from the aDNA they left behind in sediments, high-resolution site formation studies are essential to establish microstratigraphic integrity and to reconstruct the human past at finer scales. MATRIX will zoom into the sedimentary matrix at an unprecedented resolution using aDNA, but also proteins and lipids stored in archaeological sediments, in order to: 1) find the identity of past hominins in well-preserved micro-contexts, 2) reconstruct both their behaviors (diet, use of fire) and environments they lived in, and 3) contribute to rewriting what happened at the time of Neandertal disappearance by integrating high-resolution molecular and microscopic records. We will focus on seven selected sites distributed throughout Europe and with established aDNA preservation. We will assess the microstratigraphy of deposits from ~50 to 40,000 years BP by studying intact archaeological samples in 2D and 3D micromorphological views. We will obtain aDNA data at a micro-scale, and couple it with bone proteins and lipids from organic-rich sediment samples, all extracted from intact micromorphological samples. The project aims to achieve, for the first time, an integration of biological, behavioral, and environmental information of archaeological deposits at a mm- and sub-mm stratigraphic scale.  Pioneering the application of microarchaeological techniques linked with contextualized molecular data, while setting a rigorous basis for their interpretation, MATRIX will greatly improve our understanding of the migration of AMH into Eurasia and, eventually, to our inhabiting of the entire world.

Mots-clés : geoarchaeology,molecular archaeology
Projet ERC : Walk and Talk (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The Human Mind and Its Compl exity
Entité participante : Université de Valence — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : Partner
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 212775.0 €

This project investigates human language in the very environment in which it has evolved, is acquired, and very frequently is used: while walking. Yet, moving communication contexts differ significantly from static ones, as they are dynamic: it is in this moving realm where the speech situation is fluid, where reference and topic environments unfold, and where our bodies interact in ever-changing ways with each other and with the environment. This unique fleeting character of walking and the challenges it yields for perception and experience is prone to impact grammar, lexicon, and verbal interaction profoundly. While linguistics extensively studies how humans talk about motion, the impact of motion on language remains underexplored. To bridge this gap, I ask: how can language be shaped by the unique perceptual nature of mobility, and how does this affect our understanding of language once we factor mobility into explanations of linguistic phenomena? Walk and Talk breaks new ground in the language sciences by introducing mobility as an underexplored realm to linguistic research. To this end, I and my team of language specialists will conduct a cross-linguistic investigation into grammar and lexicon as they unfold in real time when traditionally mobile Indigenous foragers are walking. My approach involves innovating methodologies for studying language in motion and a data collection from a diverse language sample to reach Walk and Talk’s overarching goal. That is, the development of an explanatory model describing how language takes shape in dynamic speech contexts. To accomplish these objectives, the research agenda is tailored to: describe, explore, and compare language use in moving speech settings, explain the relationship between mobility and language, and document language practices in moving contexts.

Mots-clés : indigenous languages mobility hunter gatherers language of space typology action cameras language documentation
Projet ERC : MOBY-FLY (Horizon Europe, appel 2021, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System
Entité participante : Société Max-Planck pour le développement des sciences — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : Société Max Planck
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1500000.0 €

While sensory systems report sensory input with high reliability, behavioural responses are inherently variable. How this variability arises and how behavioural decisions are formed, is not well understood in any organism. I will use the fruit fly Drosophila as a model system to study how a specific behaviour is initiated depending on external stimuli and behavioural state. During flight, flies change direction to avoid dangers or search for food with a fast turning response called saccade. This behaviour can be replicated in head-fixed flying flies, where saccades are measured as fast changes in wing stroke amplitude, which allows for simultaneous recordings of neuronal activity. However, the neuronal circuits underlying the execution of saccades in the fly brain are not known. Previously, I have discovered a descending neuron, whose activity is strongly correlated with saccadic turns during head-fixed flight. I will use novel anatomical tools and the available EM data sets to find the neurons, which provide input to this descending neuron and which control saccades. I will then record their activity using both 2-photon Calcium imaging of a genetically encoded indicator and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings during flight. At the same time, I will present a panel of multisensory stimuli, while monitoring turning behaviour. This will allow me to test under which stimulus conditions and internal states these neurons are active and whether their activity is more closely correlated with sensory input or behavioural output. To test for the contribution of these neurons to the execution of saccades, I will use genetic tools to manipulate their activity during tethered as well as free flight. This comprehensive approach will allow me to study, which neurons control saccadic turns and at which processing stage behavioural decisions are made and will provide general insights into how information is processed along the sensory-to-motor pathway and how behaviour is initiated.

Mots-clés : sensory motor integration,2 photon calcium imaging,patch clamp recordings,drosophila melanogaster,decision making
Projet ERC : NUQNET (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Fundamental Constituents of Matter
Entité participante : Université de Valence — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 967512.65 €

Neutrino oscillation experiments are entering a new era of precision, utilizing cutting-edge technologies and capabilities to offer unprecedented insights The ERC project NUQNET aims to enhance the prediction accuracy of neutrino-nucleus interactions by implementing advanced machine learning techniques. This endeavor involves incorporating predictive errors, a critical step necessary to meet the requirements and fully unlock the discovery potential of upcoming neutrino oscillation experiments. Presently, there is no theoretical method capable of consistently describing neutrino interactions across the wide energy spectrum investigated in neutrino experiments. Moreover, existing models in the market rely either on some approximations or on semi-phenomenological approaches, making it challenging to rigorously assess the theoretical uncertainty. This uncertainty must be meticulously propagated throughout the analysis to extract precise oscillation parameters. The PI plans to go beyond the limitations of traditional many-body techniques by using ANN architectures to represent the nuclear wave functions and obtain the spectral function of several nuclei relevant for oscillation experiments (see next section for details). A novel methodology to incorporate quantum-mechanical effects into the description of final state interactions, a domain typically modeled by semi-classical intra-nuclear cascades in neutrino event generators, will be introduced. To achieve this goal, the PI will pioneer the development of a new real-time Variational Monte Carlo algorithm, building upon the formalism employed to obtain the ANN nuclear-wave functions.  New tools will be developed to describe the high-energy region relevant for DUNE in which the degrees of freedom switch from nucleons and pions to partons. Finally, the PI will coordinate a pioneering effort to estimate the uncertainty of the theoretical predictions needed for oscillation analysis and to be able to discover new physics.

Mots-clés : neutrino nucleus cross sections electroweak interactions uncertainty quantification in neutrino oscillation experiments nuclear structure and dynamics artificial neural network quantum states real time dynamics
Projet ERC : PHOTOFLUX (Horizon Europe, appel 2021, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Biotechnology and Biosystems E ngineering
Entité participante : Université de Valence — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1499981.0 €

Millions of years of evolution have produced extraordinary adaptations and solutions for plants to face the naturally excessive solar energy which commonly cannot be fully utilized by the light harvesting pigments of leaves. To find a balance between the harvesting of and the protection against the solar radiation conditions, all plants employ flexible thermal or non-photochemical energy dissipation mechanisms. Yet, inherent capacities for these flexible dissipation mechanisms differ between plant species and can change along seasonal conditions but also short-term physiological strain of the plants. The optimized balance between the photochemical and non-photochemical energy pathways of absorbed radiation is a very dynamic concept which remains physically poorly understood. Deriving these energy components and assessing them in a global context would greatly advance our knowledge on the basic energy functioning of vegetation, making room for possible improvements in food production or understand required capacities to cope with climatic changes. With the ambition to quantify actual photosynthesis from space for agricultural management units, ESA will launch in 2024 the FLuorescence Explorer (FLEX) as 8th Earth Explorer mission equipped with a novel sensor payload dedicated to the retrieval of solar-induced fluorescence and the reflectance at a high-spectral resolution. This proposal, named PHOTOFLUX, will take a novel approach to spectrally disentangle the photochemical and non-photochemical components of harvested light, building on a quantitative understanding of the energy partitioning within the light reactions. Not only will this strategy serve a bottom-up conceptual understanding of the photosynthetic light harvesting at global scale, it will also bring the possibilities to quantitatively assess productivity under the climatic constraints and the need to dissipate the excess energy to keep photosynthesis at optimal rates.