COSMOMAG is an international research project dedicated to understanding the origin of cosmic magnetic fields and their connection to the stochastic grav itational wave background as complementary probes of the very early Universe.

Magnetic fields are observed throughout the cosmos, from galaxies to the vast cosmic web, yet their origin remains one of the most enduring open questions in modern cosmology. COSMOMAG addresses this challenge by investigating whether magnetic fields were generated during the earliest phases of cosmic history and whether these primordial fields produced observable gravitational-wave signatures.

The project focuses on key epochs in the early Universe, including the end of the inflationary phase, the decoupling of the electromagnetic and weak forces, and the confinement of quarks. A central objective is to determine how the strength and characteristic length scales of primordial magnetic fields evolved from their generation to the present day, and whether this evolution is consistent with current astrophysical and cosmological observations.

COSMOMAG brings together theoretical modeling, high-performance numerical simulations, and modern gamma-ray and radio observations. This interdisciplinary approach allows magnetic fields and gravitational waves to be used jointly to probe physical conditions at energies far beyond the reach of laboratory experiments.

Through this combined effort, COSMOMAG aims to shed light on fundamental processes that shaped the early Universe, including the establishment of the dominance of matter over antimatter, the production of dark matter, and other key phenomena beyond the Standard Model of particle physics.

The project is funded by the European Research Council (ERC) through a Synergy Grant running from 2026 to 2032, and has also received support under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, as well as from the Scholars at Risk network.