Description
This contribution outlines current ongoing and planned research for the
development of the nuclear density functional theory (DFT) and energy density
functional (EDF) approaches for nuclear-structure calculations. Even though
present EDF models can provide robust predictions for many nuclear observables,
it has become evident that they have reached their limits of applicability and
new approaches are called for. To improve predictive power, the most viable
step forward is to restore symmetries broken on the mean-field level, that is,
to progress beyond mean-field approaches. Unfortunately, most of the present EDF
models are ill-suited for unrestricted beyond-mean-field multi-reference (MR)
calculations. To remedy the situation, the development of new MR-tailored EDF
models has already begun. In this contribution, we describe the current
situation with the EDF models intended for the beyond mean-field MR
calculations, anticipated directions for future development, and possible
challenges encountered during the process.