pop@ams.org
25-Jan-2006

Background

The American Mathematical Society, the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics welcome proposals from mathematicians, either singly or in groups, for conferences to take place in the summer as part of the Joint Summer Research Conferences contingent upon a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). For twenty years these conferences have played a vital role in disseminating the latest research to more than 9,000 mathematicians whose research interests span the breadth of the mathematical sciences. Individuals willing to serve as organizers should be aware that staff of the sponsoring societies handle the logistical details of the conferences, thus making it possible for the organizers to focus almost exclusively on the scientific aspects of their conference. In particular:

• Core funding for the conferences is provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation (pending for 2006 series).
• The professional conference coordinators in the AMS office will provide full logistical support and assistance before, during, and after the conference, thereby freeing the organizers to concentrate on providing a high-quality scientific program.
• Organizers are strongly encouraged to publish conference proceedings with one of the sponsoring societies. The sponsoring societies are committed to the rapid and widest possible dissemination of these proceedings as a means of sharing the conference research with those unable to attend.
• The selected proposals will represent diverse areas of mathematical activity, with emphasis on areas currently especially active. Conferences typically run for one week with forty-five to sixty-five participants. However, there is some flexibility in structure; for example, conferences of longer duration may be permitted.

Proposal Preparation

Proposals will be evaluated by the AMS-IMS-SIAM Committee on Joint Summer Research Conferences in the Mathematical Sciences. Members of this committee are willing to provide guidance on the preparation of proposals.

Proposal preparation is straightforward. All proposals must include:

(1) title of the proposed conference;

(2) the names and affiliations of proposed members and the chair(s) of the Organizing Committee. Please include the curriculum vitae of the chair(s); (compact version, no more than five pages)

(3) a three- to four-page narrative written for the nonspecialist, describing the focus of the topic, including the importance and timeliness of the topic. Keep in mind that the members of the Selection Committee are active research mathematicians from a variety of fields.

(4) a list of the recent conferences in the same or closely related areas.

(5) a list of the proposed principal speakers, the majority of whom have agreed to participate (denote with an asterisk those that have been contacted and have agreed to participate) and a description of how you plan to schedule the speakers (i.e., number and length of talks per day); and

(6) estimated total attendance and a tentative list of individuals to be invited to participate.

Organizers are expected to make a vigorous attempt to include qualified women, underrepresented minorities, and junior scientists (advanced graduate students and recent Ph.D.'s) as participants in their conference. and as part of the organizing committee where possible and appropriate.

Preproposal

Members of the Selection Committee are willing to provide feedback on preproposals which address items (2) and (3) above and which include a tentative list of principal speakers who will be contacted IF a complete proposal is submitted. Preproposals should be submitted by October 15, 2004, to insure sufficient time for feedback from a member of the Selection Committee. Submission of preproposals is optional.

Intent to Submit a Proposal

A statement of intent to submit a proposal should be received by December 17, 2004. Submission of intent to submit a proposal is optional.

Proposal Deadlines

For conferences to be held in the summer of 2006, the deadline for submission is January 14, 2005. Conference proposers will be notified of the committee's decisions in early spring.

Sample Proposals

Send To

Questions

For questions concerning the proposal evaluation process, contact Dr. Jim Maxwell, AMS Associate Executive Director, via email (jwm@ams.org) or phone (401-455-4101).

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