Travel: Expanding U.S. Mathematician Access and Participation at the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians

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. NSF Award ID: 2620717 | Program: 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT,01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT | Principal Investigator: Sarah Bryant | Institution: American Mathematical Society, PROVIDENCE, RI | Award Amount: $188,510 View on NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2620717 View on Research.gov: https://www.research.gov/awardapi-service/v1/awards/2620717.html