Call for 2016 Proposals

Note: We now have a full program for the 2016 MRC summer conferences. We encourage those interested in organizing an MRC conference to submit a proposal for the summer of 2017. Information and guidelines can be found in the Call for 2017 Proposals.

The 2016 MRC program will be supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

About the Mathematics Research Communities Program

Young mathematicians are often overwhelmed when beginning their research careers. Some receive little guidance about initiating their research programs, either before or after earning their doctorates. Others end up in positions at colleges or universities where research is not a top priority, and so are isolated from other active researchers in their own fields or from any researchers at all. Programs exist at individual institutions and at the national level to assist young mathematicians with teaching and juggling the many demands on their time. Until now, there has been no national program that initiates them into a research community, guiding them to form working relationships with other researchers as they as they begin life as research mathematicians. The AMS has created such a program, funded by the National Science Foundation.

The goal of the MRC program is to create research cohorts of young mathematicians that will sustain themselves over time, fostering joint research and coherent research programs that will, eventually, reach all research areas of mathematics. Of course, young mathematicians will be supported in other aspects of their professional careers, through interactions with senior researchers and their peers, gaining advice in subjects ranging from gaining tenure to writing grants. However, it is the formation of research cohorts that sets this program apart from any other (national) professional development programs for mathematicians that currently exist.

The Mathematics Research Communities program aims to achieve this goal through:

1. One-week conferences in each topic area in summer 2016.
2. AMS Special Sessions at the Joint Mathematics Meetings in January 2017.
3. Discussion networks.
4. Longitudinal study.

An introductory article giving background information about the MRC program appeared in the February 2008 Notices, and may be found at http://www.ams.org/notices/200802/tx080200247p.pdf

The MRC program has been funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, which has funded the MRC program since the summer of 2008.

The Division of Meetings and Professional Services of the AMS coordinates the Mathematics Research Communities program, and supports organizers throughout the entire program. Questions about the overall MRC program should be addressed to Associate Executive Director at aed-mps@ams.org or 401-455-4101.

Summer Conferences

There will be a one-week conference in each topic area chosen, held at Snowbird, Utah. Participants arrive at Snowbird on the first day and depart early on the last day. The focus of these conferences will be on the young mathematicians. These one-week conferences will be either a large conference with 40 young mathematicians, or two small conferences run simultaneously that will each include 20 young mathematicians. A conference coordinator from the AMS serves before and on site at the conference to take care of the logistical details. A mathematician from the AMS staff serves as the MRC coordinator, and will also be on site.

The MRC program allows the organizers a great deal of flexibility in structuring the week of their conference at Snowbird. Although the main emphasis of the summer conferences will be on the scientific program, it will be important to spend time discussing some professional development topics, such as the job search, writing grant proposals, giving talks or other activities. These topics can be covered in several evening sessions, or incorporated into the scientific program. An AMS staff member will schedule a short session on the various aspects of the MRC program, to be held on the second day of the conference (Tuesday).

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How To Submit a Proposal

Members of the MRC Advisory Board and AMS staff members are pleased to provide guidance on the preparation of proposals. Core funding for the MRC program is provided by the National Science Foundation.

Proposals

The MRC Advisory Board encourages individuals to submit inquiries to ensure sufficient time for feedback. Proposals need to include the following information:

1. Organizing Committee members, with names and addresses (4-5 for a 40-participant conference, 2-3 for a 20-participant conference)
2. Scientific narrative addressing the focus, importance and timeliness of the topic, no more than five (5) pages long.
3. Organization of the week of the summer conference

Please submit a 2016 MRC proposal by emailing it to Associate Executive Director (aed-mps@ams.org) with a cc to Robin Hagan Aguiar (rha@ams.org). 

Preparation and submission guidelines are posted here.

About Snowbird Resort

Situated in a beautiful, breathtaking mountain setting, Snowbird Resort provides an extraordinary environment for the MRC program. The atmosphere is comparable to the collegial gatherings at Oberwolfach and other conferences that combine peaceful natural ambience with stimulating meetings. MRC participants have access to a range of activities such as a tram ride to the top of the mountain, walking and hiking trails in the surrounding mountains, and swimming in heated outdoor pools. Participants also enjoy the simpler pleasures of convening on the patios at the resort to read, work, and socialize. At the conclusion of the day's program colleagues may enjoy informal gatherings to network and continue discussion of the day's sessions over refreshments. Within a half hour of the University of Utah, Snowbird is easily accessible from the Salt Lake City International Airport. For more information about Snowbird Resort, see http://www.snowbird.com.

For myself and many others in mathematics, mentoring strong, eager students in small groups is one of the most rewarding things we do. Imagine the opportunity to choose a group of advanced graduate students and beginning postdocs in your field, from around the country, and spend an intense week getting to know them and helping them learn some new and valuable elements of your field.

--David Eisenbud, Chair, MRC Advisory Board

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