New opportunities for beyond-the-Standard Model searches at the EIC

The ramp-up of EIC activities has generated increased interest in exploring connections between high-energy physics and the EIC science program. The focus of the connections has primarily been in the context of QCD studies with less attention paid to beyond-the-Standard-Model (BSM) studies. Recent work has revealed a much richer connection between the BSM programs in HEP and at the EIC than previously expected. Many examples of both direct and indirect searches for new physics that leverage the unique features of the EIC have been given. The wide kinematic range of the EIC, including previously unexplored (x,Q²) bins, can help disentangle BSM effects within effective field theory analyses. The ability of the EIC to polarize both beams unlocks connections to low energy precision experiments such as the muon g-2 and electric dipole moments. The EIC program will build upon previous explorations done with parity-violating electron scattering and charged-lepton flavor violating observables. The availability of heavy nuclei beams can boost searches for hidden dark photons and axion-like particle due to Z² enhancements of coherent scattering cross sections. In many cases the EIC reach exceeds that of the LHC and other HEP experiments, or removes blind spots in HEP experimental coverage of the available new physics parameter space. We believe that the time is ripe to discuss and extend these connections between the two fields and increase awareness of this unexpected potential of the EIC program. The goal of this workshop is to bring together experts from both the EIC community and HEP to explore and further reveal these growing connections, and chart a path forward for the EIC BSM program.