# Astroparticle and Cosmology Laboratory

> research institute in Paris, France

**Wikidata**: [Q2868555](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2868555)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astroparticle_and_Cosmology_Laboratory)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/astroparticle-and-cosmology-laboratory

## Summary
The Astroparticle and Cosmology Laboratory (APC) is a research institute located in Paris, France, established in 2005 to conduct fundamental research in astroparticle physics and cosmology. Operating as a French UMR (Unité Mixte de Recherche) designated UMR7164, it functions as a collaborative research unit affiliated with Paris Cité University and supported by six major French research organizations.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 2005
- Located at 10 rue Alice-Domon-et-Léonie-Duquet, 13th arrondissement of Paris, France (postal code 75205)
- Geographic coordinates: 48.829444 latitude, 2.381944 longitude
- Classified as a research institute and French UMR (UMR7164)
- Affiliated with Paris Cité University
- Current director: Antoine Kouchner (since 2018)
- Previous directors: Stavros Katsanevas (2014–2017), Sotiris Loucatos (2017–2018)
- Wikipedia presence in 3 languages: English, French, Vietnamese
- Website: http://www.apc.univ-paris7.fr/APC_CS/
- GRID ID: grid.462017.6
- ROR ID: 03tnjrr49
- ISNI: 0000000403850641
- VIAF ID: 313568986
- CNRS Research Group ID: UMR7164
- French National Research Structure ID: 200512546V
- HAL Structure ID: 1969
- Ringgold ID: 111111
- Freebase ID: /m/0_95vkh
- Microsoft Academic ID (discontinued): 2802090066
- Aliases: APC, AstroParticule Et Cosmologie, APC - UMR 7164

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Astroparticle and Cosmology Laboratory?
A: The Astroparticle and Cosmology Laboratory (APC) is a research institute in Paris, France, established in 2005 to conduct fundamental research. It operates as a French UMR (Unité Mixte de Recherche) under the designation UMR7164.

### Q: Which organizations sponsor or govern the laboratory?
A: The APC is a collaborative unit supported by six parent organizations: the Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), CNES (the French space agency), the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), the Institut national de physique nucléaire et de physique des particules (IN2P3), Paris Cité University, and the Paris Observatory under PSL University.

### Q: Where is the laboratory located?
A: The APC is headquartered at 10 rue Alice-Domon-et-Léonie-Duquet in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, France, with postal code 75205. Its coordinates are 48.829444°N, 2.381944°E.

### Q: Who has directed the laboratory?
A: Antoine Kouchner has served as director since 2018. Previous directors include Stavros Katsanevas (2014–2017) and Sotiris Loucatos (2017–2018).

### Q: What does the UMR7164 designation mean?
A: UMR7164 is the CNRS Research Group ID indicating that the APC is a Unité Mixte de Recherche—a mixed research unit combining resources and oversight from multiple French research institutions and universities.

## Why It Matters
The Astroparticle and Cosmology Laboratory represents a specialized research infrastructure dedicated exclusively to scientific inquiry in astroparticle physics and cosmology, fields that investigate fundamental questions about the universe's structure, composition, and history. As a research institute rather than a teaching-focused university department, the APC concentrates resources and expertise purely on investigation, enabling long-term, high-risk research projects that advance human understanding of cosmic phenomena. Its multi-institutional structure—bringing together six major French research organizations—creates a collaborative environment that pools expertise from atomic energy research, space exploration, nuclear physics, and academic institutions. The laboratory's establishment in 2005 reflects the growing recognition of astroparticle physics as a distinct discipline bridging particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology.

## Notable For
- Multi-institutional governance spanning six major French research organizations
- Classification as a French UMR (Unité Mixte de Recherche), a formal designation for collaborative research units
- Specialization in astroparticle physics and cosmology research
- Affiliation with both Paris Cité University and the Paris Observatory (PSL University)
- Documented leadership succession with three directors recorded since 2014
- International Wikipedia presence across three languages
- Comprehensive identifier coverage across research registries (GRID, ROR, ISNI, VIAF, CNRS, HAL, Ringgold)

## Body

### Location and Address
The Astroparticle and Cosmology Laboratory is headquartered in Paris, France, within the 13th arrondissement. Its street address is 10 rue Alice-Domon-et-Léonie-Duquet, with the postal code 75205. The facility is positioned at geographic coordinates 48.829444° latitude and 2.381944° longitude.

### Organizational Structure and Parent Organizations
The APC operates as a French UMR (Unité Mixte de Recherche) with the designation UMR7164. This classification indicates a mixed research unit that formalizes collaboration between universities and national research organizations. The laboratory maintains parent organization relationships with six institutions:

- **Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)**: A major French public research organization specializing in energy, defense, and fundamental research
- **CNES (Centre national d'études spatiales)**: The French government space agency
- **Institut national de physique nucléaire et de physique des particules (IN2P3)**: A division of CNRS focused on nuclear and particle physics
- **Paris Cité University**: The laboratory's primary academic affiliation
- **Paris Observatory, PSL University**: A research institution combining astronomy and astrophysics under the Université PSL network
- **National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)**: France's largest governmental research organization

### Leadership History
The laboratory has documented directorship transitions since 2014:

- **Stavros Katsanevas**: Served as director from 2014 to 2017
- **Sotiris Loucatos**: Served as director from 2017 to 2018
- **Antoine Kouchner**: Has served as director since 2018

### Research Classification and Identifiers
The APC is formally classified as a research institute and a French UMR. It holds identifiers across multiple research registry and library systems:

- **GRID (Global Research Identifier Database)**: grid.462017.6
- **ROR (Research Organization Registry)**: 03tnjrr49
- **ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier)**: 0000000403850641
- **VIAF (Virtual International Authority File)**: 313568986
- **CNRS Research Group ID**: UMR7164
- **French National Research Structure ID**: 200512546V
- **HAL Structure ID**: 1969 (referencing the French open archive system)
- **Ringgold ID**: 111111
- **Freebase ID**: /m/0_95vkh
- **Microsoft Academic ID** (discontinued service): 2802090066

### Digital Presence and Online Resources
The laboratory maintains a website at http://www.apc.univ-paris7.fr/APC_CS/. It has a Wikipedia presence across three languages: English ("Astroparticle and Cosmology Laboratory"), French, and Vietnamese, with a sitelink count of 3.

### Aliases and Alternate Names
The laboratory is known by several designations:
- **APC**: Primary abbreviation
- **AstroParticule Et Cosmologie**: French-language full name
- **APC - UMR 7164**: Formal designation including research unit classification

## References

1. GRID Release 2017-01-10
2. GRID Release 2016-05-31
3. GRID Release 2016-12-06
4. French National Directory of Research Structures
5. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
6. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
7. HAL
8. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)