BCAM's GHOST project awarded PID 2025 funding to study the mathematics of geophysical fluid flows

• This call is aimed at funding scientific research and knowledge advancement, both in non-oriented areas and in areas oriented towards solving specific problems

BCAM and Ikerbasque researcher Francesco Fanelli has been awarded funding for the GHOST project through the PID 2025 (Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento) call from the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) / Spanish State Research Agency. This call seeks to strengthen national and international research and promote collaboration between research groups.

The GHOST project focuses on the mathematical analysis of models for geophysical fluid flows, such as oceanic currents and atmospheric dynamics. These flows are characterised by significant heterogeneities: variations in density and temperature, changes in topography, or the presence of multiple scales, to name just a few.

GHOST is grounded in the idea that these non-homogeneities are the main factor behind the non-trivial effects observed in the dynamics, so understanding them requires going beyond the usual approximation of small variations around a homogeneous state. This is a substantial theoretical challenge, which GHOST addresses through four specific goals: (1) the description of geometric features of the flow resulting from heterogeneity effects; (2) the derivation of simplified models in the presence of multiple scales; (3) the study of boundary effects; and (4) the study of systems in the presence of degeneracies, such as vacuum.

Given the applied nature of the questions underlying the project, its scientific programme is expected to resonate broadly with both the mathematical and physical communities. Beyond advancing the theoretical understanding of non-homogeneous fluid dynamics, GHOST is also expected to impact neighbouring fields such as geophysics, meteorology and astrophysics, paving the way for more accurate predictions and new lines of research.

"This type of national project is important to support fundamental research, grants like this recognise the key role that fundamental research plays in society, whether through the advancement of scientific knowledge and culture or through unexpected applications that often only emerge in the long run”, adds Francesco Fanelli. 

“I am delighted to have been awarded this project, which strengthens my stability and independence to develop my research plans. Together with other researchers who have received this kind of grant, I believe it gives us the ideal conditions to tackle harder questions and more ambitious scientific challenges — ones that would otherwise feel too risky in a less stable position," says Francesco Fanelli.

Beyond addressing fundamental questions that deepen our understanding of physical processes and everyday phenomena, the GHOST team will pay particular attention to communicating its results to the wider public, while helping to raise society's awareness of the importance of fundamental research.