Young Scholars
Programs
Whether they become scientists, engineers, or entrepreneurs, young
people with mathematical talent need to be nurtured. Curiosity
needs encouragement; skill needs praise; vision needs development.
A lifelong passion for mathematics grows from youthful
enthusiasm.
For many, that enthusiasm was nurtured in a summer program for
talented, enthusiastic high school students. Creating such programs
and sustaining them have become increasingly difficult. These
mathematics programs have provided a crucial first experience in
mathematics and are often held on college or university campuses,
sustained by one or two dedicated faculty who have both vision and
energy. While funding comes from many sources - universities,
corporations, and agencies, raising funds requires a great deal of
effort. Student tuition often discourages some of the most able
students, especially those who come from disadvantaged groups.
Faculty and students need support from the mathematics
community. View the Epsilon Fund brochure.
AMS Support
In 1999, the American Mathematical Society created a program to
provide that support. Each year the Society awards grants on a
competitive basis to selected summer programs for student
scholarships and other expenses. While these AMS grants cover only
a small portion of the total costs, they can make a large
difference in attracting additional funding. And for students who
receive a scholarship, the money often makes the difference between
attending or not -- a difference that may affect the rest of their
lives. In 2007, six young scholars programs
received grants from the AMS totaling US$80,000. That brings the total
for seven summers to 65 awards amounting to
US$635,000. The goal is to increase the annual amount and to sustain
this effort in years to come.
2007
Epsilon Awards
The Epsilon Fund
These grants will have the most effect if they are secure for the
future. The only way to accomplish this is to create an endowment
that will produce sufficient income for future support. This kind of
guaranteed support allows existing programs to point to a long-term
commitment from AMS when dealing with other sponsors. It encourages
people to create new programs and it sends the message to all that
the mathematics community cares about these programs.
For this reason the Society has created the Epsilon Fund
("Epsilon" was a term used by the late Paul Erdos for young
mathematicians), and designated it as an endowment for the
Society's support of young scholars programs. The goal is to reach
at least US$2 million dollars, which will provide at least US$100,000
in support each summer. An endowment is a sure way to provide
continuing support --support that grows with inflation over
time.
You Can Make A Difference
There is no better way for the mathematics research community to
invest in its future. Hundreds of our present research
mathematicians had their first mathematical experience in such
summer programs; thousands of scientists and professionals learned
about mathematics in this way. While the Society will continue to
invest in this program, the only certain way to ensure long-term
support is to create an endowment. We need your help to build the
Epsilon Fund for the future. Your contribution will make a real
difference.
