Objective This is a proposal for an ambitious programme of state of the art hydrodynamical simulations, designed to answer some key questions about the role of disc self-gravity in planet formation. The programme is also designed so as to maximize the synergy with the new observational constraints from high resolution imaging data from the Atacama Large Millimetre Array that will become available over the timescale of the grant. The five year programme should provide definitive answers about whether planet formation is able to get going during the early, self-gravitating phase of disc evolution and how, if so, it would affect the further evolution of the disc. The topic of gravitational disc fragmentation as a route to planet formation is currently in a state of crisis, with recent simulations undermining what had become a consensus view on the subject. A dedicated and carefully constructed approach, as detailed here, is required to solve this problem. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencesplanets Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-AG-PE9 - ERC Advanced Grant - Universe sciences Call for proposal ERC-2013-ADG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Host institution THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE EU contribution € 1 892 844,00 Address TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS CB2 1TN Cambridge United Kingdom See on map Region East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Renata Schaeffer (Ms.) Principal investigator Catherine Clarke (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE United Kingdom EU contribution € 1 892 844,00 Address TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS CB2 1TN Cambridge See on map Region East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Renata Schaeffer (Ms.) Principal investigator Catherine Clarke (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data