Due to rapid progress in both quantum gravity and formal theoretical cosmology, it is an exciting time to be working on quantum cosmology. Some of the most exciting opportunities require combining non-perturbative insights from quantum gravity with more phenomenological developments in cosmology.

The cosmic horizon is responsible for the origin of structure in the observed universe, while also storing an enormous number of microstates. Recent work has developed increasingly sophisticated methods for calculating and characterizing perturbative and non-perturbative aspects of the primordial probability distribution for quantum fluctuations that freeze out at the inflationary horizon. Meanwhile, recent work in quantum gravity has elucidated the horizon microstructure via explicit incorporation of timelike features, developing holography anchored at timelike spacetime boundaries and incorporating an observer into the system. Moreover, increasingly precise and parametric control of string-theoretic cosmological models can weigh in on problems in quantum gravity and phenomenology.

These developments cross fertilize each other, but much more can be done. This program will bring together physicists working from a variety of perspectives with a common goal of understanding the quantum nature of the universe. This program aims to unite these efforts through an immersive program that combines pedagogical lectures and research seminars, with the aim of building a common language and set of goals.