Travel: expanding U.S. Mathematician access and participation at the 2026 international congress of mathematicians

The National Science Foundation awarded the American Mathematical Society $188,510 on May 15, 2026, under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049) to develop, promote, and execute a travel grants program providing targeted financial support for approximately 70 U.S.-based mid-career mathematicians (8 to 20 years beyond the Ph.D.) to participate in the International Congress of Mathematicians in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from July 23 to 30, 2026.

The American Mathematical Society will administer a competitive review process that prioritizes applicants with strong potential to initiate or expand collaborative research activities. This program addresses a distinct career stage that existing NSF-supported travel initiatives do not cover, which focus on graduate students, early-career researchers, and invited speakers. Mid-career mathematicians lead research programs, mentor early-career scholars, and build collaborative networks connecting mathematics with fields including artificial intelligence, data science, and quantum information.

Performance is based in Providence, Rhode Island, with a completion date of April 30, 2027. The award reflects NSF's commitment to strengthening research groups, supporting mentorship networks, and enabling formation of new collaborations that influence high-impact fields and reinforce the long-term vitality of the U.S. mathematical sciences enterprise across academia, industry, and government.

Abstract

The international congress of mathematicians (ICM), to be held in philadelphia, PA, from july 23 to 30, 2026, is the leading global venue for mathematical exchange and a key driver of research directions and international collaboration. IT is also an increasingly important platform for advancing interdisciplinary areas such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, where mathematical innovation underpins rapid technological progress. Mid-career mathematicians, typically 8 to 20 years beyond the PHD, play a pivotal role in this ecosystem. They lead research programs, mentor early-career scholars, and build collaborative networks that connect mathematics with fields such as AI, data science, and quantum information. Despite this central role, they often lack dedicated support for sustained international engagement. The american mathematical society will develop, promote, and execute a travel grants program to provide targeted financial support for approximately 70 U.S.-based mid-career mathematicians to participate in the congress. This program complements existing NSF-supported travel programs focused on graduate students, early-career researchers, and invited speakers by addressing a distinct and critical career stage. Awards will be made through a competitive review process that prioritizes applicants with strong potential to initiate or expand collaborative research activities. Participation at this career stage strengthens research groups, supports mentorship networks, and enables the formation of new collaborations that influence the direction of high-impact fields. In turn, this support reinforces the long-term vitality and impact of the U.S. Mathematical sciences enterprise across academia, industry, and government. Https://WWW.ICM2026.ORG this award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.