Following ESO’s Expanding Horizons initiative, the mm/submm community began organizing within Europe and is now expanding to a global effort to define a next-generation interferometric facility for the 2040s (“ALMA2040”). Researchers worldwide are still welcome to join the ALMA2040 White Paper effort. New contributors are encouraged to participate in ongoing Scientific and Technical White Papers and help shape a coherent, globally coordinated concept for a next-generation mm/submm interferometric facility for the 2040s.
➡️ Express Interest / Join or propose a White Paper
When requesting to join the mailing list, beware that the invitation may end up in your SPAM folder.
This timeline is aligned with ESO's Expanding Horizons process.
15 May 2026 — Initial deadline for proposing new White Paper topics and expressing interest in (co-)leading papers
June–September 2026 — White Paper development
15 September 2026 — Submission deadline
15 October 2026 -- Posting to arXiv
Researchers interested in joining existing White Papers are still encouraged to get in touch using the form below. New White Paper proposals may also still be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The ALMA2040 White Papers build on the ESO Expanding Horizons submissions (Dec 2025), which were initially developed within Europe, and are now being further expanded and supported by simulations. New science cases can also be proposed. Each White Paper (~6 pages) will refine a key science case and translate it into capability requirements for the reference design.
Contributions are encouraged from across the global community---including Europe, North America, East Asia, and Chile---to highlight key scientific priorities and technical requirements. These White Papers are intended to contribute to a coherent, globally coordinated concept for a next-generation mm/submm interferometric facility.
The current preliminary concept sketch includes:
~200–300 antennas (~5-10x increased line sensitivity)
Increased angular resolution (~2-3x)
short-spacing capabilities
broad frequency coverage (core ALMA bands)
full instantaneous bandwidth
high-fidelity imaging across spatial scales
rapid ToO capabilities (including VLBI)
coordination with multi-messenger facilities
flexible operations (sub-arraying, real-time calibration)
The emergence and evolution of galaxies and black holes
The evolution of the cosmic baryon cycle in galactic ecosystems
The life cycle of planetary systems
The physics of the extreme universe
Science & system requirements
Instrumentation & enabling technologies
Data archiving & processing
Operations & sustainability
There may be multiple white papers per topic. You may also propose new white papers/topics.
You can contribute at different levels, including:
Leading or co-leading a White Paper
Active contribution (writing, simulations, analysis)
Occasional input (discussion, feedback)
Staying informed and contributing where relevant
Joining the mailing list
Please note: No prior involvement in ALMA2040 is required.
Fill out the form below, also found at this link. Takes less than 2 minutes to complete. Contributions at all levels are welcome. Researchers are welcome to join at any stage of the process. If you are interested in contributing, please complete the form below. Those already involved in the existing White Paper efforts do not need to complete the form.
General inquiries can be directed to: contact 'at' euro-alma2040.groups.io