ROSES 2025: D.4 Theoretical and Computational Astrophysics Networks

The Theoretical and Computational Astrophysics Networks (TCAN) program supports coordinated efforts in fundamental theory and computational techniques to make advances in astrophysics that extend beyond the scope of individual investigator projects. The goals of the TCAN program include strengthening theoretical and computational astrophysics in the United States by uniting researchers in collaborative networks that cross institutional and geographical boundaries and advance the training of the future workforce of theoretical and computational scientists. 

For this program element, the TCAN program focuses its scope on grand challenges in Time Domain Multi-Messenger Astrophysics (TDAMM), and solicits proposals aimed at developing integrated theoretical and computational tools for modeling multi-messenger phenomena through collaborative networks. It is expected that the proposing networks will include participants with complementary expertise in different topical areas, such as astrophysics, gravitational physics, nuclear physics, plasma physics, computational mathematics, numerical methods and algorithms, software engineering, and/or space- and ground-based observational astronomy. Multi-disciplinary collaboration spanning various sectors (e.g., academic, national laboratory, and private organizations, among others) are encouraged.

The Astro2020 Decadal Survey Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics emphasized that many of today’s astrophysical questions transcend traditional wavelength, disciplinary, and agency boundaries, highlighting multi-messenger astrophysics as a prominent example. The survey called for effective mechanisms to support such cross-cutting research and noted that programs such as TCAN could help enable collaboration across disciplines and agencies.

The scientific challenges presented by Multi-Messenger Astrophysics (MMA) span observational facilities, theoretical modeling, and computational methods across multiple agencies and disciplines. The complexity of the interrelated physical processes that generate multi-messenger observables makes integrated multi-scale and multiphysics models essential for understanding their origins. Despite considerable progress in recent years, fully integrated simulations of many MMA phenomena, including supernovae and neutron star mergers, remain just out of reach. With coordinated support for theory, algorithm development, computational modeling, and observational benchmarking, significant qualitative advances can be made toward addressing this grand challenge in astrophysics.