Mathematics Research Communities - 2025

The American Mathematical Society's Mathematics Research Communities is a professional development program for early-career mathematicians in which the participants develop collaborative research skills, build a network focused in an active research domain, and receive mentoring from leaders in that area.

MRC Participants groupAbout the Program

Supported by National Science Foundation, the AMS, and other sources, the 2025 program includes:

  • Intensive one-week, hands-on summer research conferences for each topic
  • Guidance in career building
  • A complimentary one-year AMS membership
  • Special Session at the Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM) in January 2026
  • Opportunities for follow-up small-group collaborations
  • Longer-term opportunities for collaboration and community building among the participants

Over time, each participant is expected to provide feedback regarding career development and the impact of the MRC program through participation in a longitudinal study.

For each NSF-supported participant, the MRC program provides support for travel to the summer conference site and all accommodations and meals there, support for travel to the 2026 JMM,* and opportunities for support in follow-up collaboration travel during the year following the summer conferences*. See below for details.

2025 MRC Summer Conference

The 2025 summer conference will be held at the Hilton in Providence, RI, home of the AMS headquarters. The location is conducive to a peaceful working environment, participant interactions, and opportunities to explore the city. Full details are below.

The topic for the anticipated MRC conference is listed here. Applications will be accepted until February 15, 2025.

June 22 – 28, 2025: Real Numerical Algebraic Geometry
Organizers: Jonathan Hauenstein, University of Notre Dame; Dhagash Mehta, Blackrock, Inc; Margaret Regan^, College of the Holy Cross; Samantha Sherman, BAE Systems; Charles Wampler, University of Notre Dame

^indicates lead organizer
MRC 2024 Group

JMM Special Session

The 2025 MRC summer conference will create a Special Session on their topic at the 2026 Joint Mathematics Meetings in Washington, D.C. These and other activities at the national meeting provide opportunities for the participants to deepen connections with their topic, engage with their collaborative research peers and mentors, and cultivate their professional network. The MRC program provides support for participants to travel to JMM.*

Follow-up Collaborations

Through the NSF grant and the AMS, a limited number of grants are typically available to support small-group collaboration travel during the year following the summer conference*. The objective is to foster a continuation or completion of work begun at the conference site.

Eligible Applicants

math rocks

Applicants should be ready to engage in collaborative research. All participants are expected to be active in the full array of MRC activities—the summer conference, special sessions at the Joint Mathematics Meetings, and follow-up collaborations*.

We seek individuals who will both contribute to and benefit from the MRC experience, and our goal is to create a collaborative research community that is vibrant, productive, as well as diverse. The AMS recognizes the breadth of people, thought, and experience that contribute to mathematics. We value the contributions of all members of our mathematics community to improve mathematics research, education, and the standing of the mathematical sciences. We welcome everyone interested in mathematics as we work to build a community that is diverse, respectful, accessible, and inclusive. We welcome applicants from academic institutions of all types, as well as Business, Entrepreneurship, Government, Industry, and Nonprofit (BEGIN) arenas. In support of AMS’s continuing efforts to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in the mathematical research enterprise, we strongly encourage and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

  • Applicants should be early career—either expecting to earn a PhD within two years or having completed a PhD within five years of the date of the summer conference. Exceptions to this limit on the career stage of an applicant may be made on a case-by-case basis.
  • The MRC program is open to individuals who are U.S. citizens and to those who are affiliated with U.S. institutions and companies/organizations. A few international participants may be accepted. Depending on space and other factors, a small number of self-funded participants may be admitted.
  • Individuals who have once previously been an MRC participant will be considered for admission, and their applications must include a rationale for repeating. Applications from individuals who have twice been MRC participants will not be considered.
  • Reference letters cannot be written by an organizer of the MRC. An alternative reference writer must be chosen.

How to apply

Applications will be accepted here from Friday, December 13, 2024 through Saturday, February 15, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EST).

Beaver HollowLocation

The 2025 summer conference of the MRC will be held in Providence, Rhode Island, where participants can enjoy a private, distraction-free environment, conducive to research. Providence is located 15 minutes from the Rhode Island TF Green International Airport and about 1 hour and 45 minutes away from the Boston Logan Airport. The Creative Capital of the East Coast is home to a thriving artistic community and a renowned dining scene. Participants will have opportunities to explore the city’s rich history and unique attractions, all while being in close proximity to its conveniences.

Well-Being Protocols

Due to the ending of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration on May 11, 2023 and newly released COVID-19 guidelines in 2024 by the CDC, the following protocols are in place for this conference:

  • Participants, including staff and volunteers, are no longer requested to be vaccinated or tested.
  • Wearing a mask is optional and will be based on individual comfort levels. Extra masks will be available at the registration desk, while quantities last.
  • If anyone has been exposed to COVID-19 within 72 hours of coming to the meeting, they should wear a mask throughout the conference.
  • If anyone tested positive for COVID-19 within 72 hours before coming to the meeting, they should come to the meeting only if they have been fever-free and have improved symptoms 24 hours before coming, and agree to wear a mask throughout the conference.
  • If anyone tests positive for COVID-19 during the meeting and have a fever, they should isolate in their room until they are fever-free and have improved symptoms. They should also agree to wear a mask throughout the conference.

The AMS is committed to the well-being of all participants at this conference and will continue to share any updates.

Special Needs

It is the goal of the AMS to ensure that its conferences are accessible to all, regardless of disability. The AMS will strive to make all as accessible as possible.

If special needs accommodations are necessary in order for you to participate in a MRC Summer Conference, please communicate your needs in advance to your Meeting Specialist or by sending email to mmsb@ams.org.

AMS Policy on a Welcoming Environment

The AMS strives to ensure that participants in the MRC Summer Conferences enjoy a welcoming environment. In all its activities, the AMS seeks to foster an atmosphere that encourages the free expression and exchange of ideas. The AMS supports equality of opportunity and treatment for all participants, regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion or religious belief, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities, or veteran status.

Harassment is a form of misconduct that undermines the integrity of the AMS, and its activities and missions.

The AMS will make every effort to maintain an environment that is free of harassment, even though it does not control the behavior of third parties. A commitment to a welcoming environment is expected of all participants of AMS activities, including mathematicians, students, guests, staff, contractors and exhibitors, and participants in scientific sessions and social events. To this end, the AMS will include a statement concerning its expectations towards maintaining a welcoming environment in registration materials for the Sectional Meetings, and has put in place a mechanism for reporting violations. Violations may be reported confidentially and anonymously to 855-282-5703 or on the website. The reporting mechanism ensures the respect of privacy while alerting the AMS to the situation.

MathSafe

MathSafe is a program by and for the mathematical community to support safe and welcoming meetings. MathSafe volunteers will be available at the conference to listen to and guide participants who experience harassing behavior.

For assistance, come to the Registration Desk. To speak to an ombudsperson directly or for assistance when the desk is closed, call (401) 455-4040.

The AMS strives to ensure that participants in the meeting enjoy a welcoming environment. See the Welcoming Environment policy above. A mechanism for reporting violations confidentially and anonymously is included in this policy.

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct (Code) applies to all participants at all American Mathematical Society (AMS) conferences, meetings, events, and other organized activities regardless of location or the capacity in which a person is attending, be it as an organizer, delegate, speaker, sponsor, exhibitor, or in any other capacity. Participants are expected to uphold the principles set out in the Code at all times during the event.

Contact Information

For further information, please email AMS-MRC@ams.org.

*The MRC program is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the AMS, and private donors. NSF Funding decision to be announced Fall 2024.