The six principal investigators that form the core of the D-ITP programme come from from diverse branches of theoretical physics, and will join forces to study matter at all scales, from subatomic to cosmic, with a unified set of mathematical tools. Together, they bring in 4 Spinoza prizes, 2 ERC Advanced Grants and 1 Nobel prize.

• Prof. dr. Erik Verlinde (Amsterdam)
  Spinoza Prize 2011, ERC Advanced Grant 2010
• Prof. dr. Carlo Beenakker (Leiden)
  Spinoza Prize 1999, ERC Advanced Grant 2009
• Prof. dr. Jan de Boer (Amsterdam)
  FOM Springplank Grant 1999
• Prof. dr. Gerard 't Hooft (Utrecht)
  Nobel Prize (1999), Spinoza Grant 1995
• Prof. dr. Henk Stoof (Utrecht)
  NWO Vici Grant 2003
• Prof. dr. Jan Zaanen (Leiden)
  Spinoza Prize 2006