Funding Opportunities

PIMS supports the mathematical sciences community by funding events and collaborations. We provide significant sponsorship for events in active areas of mathematical science research.

Proposals are welcome for funding for the following kinds of activities

Please note, all PIMS events are expected to adhere to our policy on Diversity and Respect.

Preparing, and submitting a proposal

Funding proposals are evaluated annually by the Scientific Review Panel. Smaller investments are considered on an ongoing basis. Award holders are responsible for completing a final report upon the completion of their event.

All proposals should contain:

  • A title
  • A list of organizer(s) and their affiliations
  • Proposed location and dates
  • A high level summary of the anticipated (scientific) impact. The text should be written for a general scientific/ mathematical public, and be suitable for announcements
  • Tentative participants, especially invited/confirmed speakers/panellists
  • Budget information. It should be clear how PIMS funding would be used, and if there are other event sponsors. If applying for logistical support by PIMS Central, please supply details

In most cases, proposals should be at most 5 typeset pages. Funding for recurrent events is contingent upon up to date reporting.

Proposals are evaluated on:

  • Scientific quality
  • Mathematical and statistical content
  • Feasibility and preparation
  • Strategic benefit to PIMS member universities
  • Equity, diversity and inclusivity
  • Environmental responsibility - e.g strategies to maximize the value of travel or leverage hybrid/virtual techniques

Some priority is given to events that will take place at a PIMS site or in collaboration with our international partners. Successful activities will be designed with the above principles in mind, and applicants are encouraged to address these criteria directly. The deadline to apply is 11:59pm PST, October 1st, 2022.

We strongly encourage applicants to solicit feedback from their site directors, or PIMS Central, where appropriate.

The current call for proposals is now closed.

 

Additional Instructions

Conferences, Workshops and Summer Schools

These activities are central to PIMS mandate. Organizers should work to ensure diversity among their speakers. If you would like to propose a large event hosted by PIMS, please do contact the PIMS Central Team for advice on how to do so.

Focus Periods

Focus Periods are special opportunity events centering on current mathematical trends and collaborative prospects. They usually take place in the summer and vary in length depending on the discipline. Coordination/collaboration with other institutes is encouraged.

Distinguished Visitors

PIMS considers invitations for distinguished scientists to visit its member institutions for periods ranging from one week to a few months.

In addition to the above proposal requirements, applications for this program should contain:

  • Proposed dates and locations
  • A 1-2 page abbreviated CV of the scientist
  • A 1 paragraph scientific rationale for the visit
  • A description for the activities planned, such as public lectures, seminars, and research group meetings.
  • Indications of how virtualization might be incorporated, including which lectures will be recorded or broadcast
  • A budget outlining the expenses, and other contributing funding, such as Discovery Grant and local support

Innovation Activities (Industrial and other non-academy partners)

PIMS invites proposals to advance collaboration and the use of mathematics and statistics in industrial, government and other non-academy settings for innovation and technology development in Canada. These include joint academic/industrial conferences and workshops, industrial short courses, industrial problem solving workshops, job fairs, networking events and related to HQP development and training.

Collaborative Research Groups

PIMS Collaborative Research Groups are one of our flagship programs and typically involve a three year investment of $240,000. Applicants to this program will normally submit a letter of intent to the SRP and, if selected, will work closely with the PIMS Directorate to craft a full application. Please see the CRG application process page for details of the requirements and the CRG program page for an overview of the program.

PIMS Research Networks

PIMS Research Networks (PRNs) are large scale collaborations between academic, industrial and public sector partners. These partnerships are intended to help the mathematical science community address grand challenges such as the ongoing climate emergency, sustainable resource management, resilience to future epidemics and fairness and justice in human society. Baseline support for each PRN is $100,000 per year with PIMS matching up to $50,000 per year in contributions from the PRN external partner. Please see the PRN application process page for details of the application process.

Activities with small budgets

Proposals to fund short term visitors, hot topic reaction events, and other small budget activities can be submitted for consideration directly using this form for immediate consideration. Proposals are evaluated within a month of submission, and may request up to $5000.

PIMS Supported Seminars

Applications for PIMS supported seminars for the 2022 - 2023 academic year should be submitted by September15, 2022 via the discretionary funding form. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by late October. We will consider later application if funding is still available.

In addition to the above proposal requirements, please include the following information in the event description area of the form:

  • Proposed location
  • Approximate number of lectures per year
  • A 1 paragraph scientific description of the seminar topic
  • Indications of how virtualization might be incorporated, including recorded or broadcast details
  • A budget outlining the expenses, and additional funding, such as Discovery Grant and local support
  • A strategy to ensure that the speaker list is inclusive and diverse

As possibility of travel remains uncertain for the coming year, PIMS will prioritize funding seminars that have some virtualization capacity and means to support speakers at a distance.

Applications for Distinguished PIMS Seminar funding can be submitted through this process or through the SRP call.

Seminar organizers are responsible for reporting on their use of funds at the end of their award.

Education and Outreach Activities

PIMS believes that training the next generation of mathematical scientists and promoting diversity within mathematics cannot begin too early. We welcome proposals aimed at creating opportunities for students to learn (Math Fairs, Math Mania, Summer Camps, Problem Solving Workshops, Hackathons), for teachers to improve their knowledge of mathematics, statistics and computer science and their capacity to teach (Teacher training workshops). PIMS welcomes proposals that address historical challenges faced by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. We encourage submissions with new ideas!

For more information, including deadlines and details of the application process. Please see the PIMS Education Call for Proposals.

PIMS Globalink Student Mobility Program

The PIMS Globalink program offers support for senior undergraduate and graduate students to conduct 12-24 week research programs at PIMS Member Universities or eligible universities and institutions in one of the Mitacs partner countries. Please see the PIMS Globalink Program page for more details and application instructions.

Activities in Statistics

PIMS encourages organizers of activities in statistics to also consider submitting proposals to CANSSI.

PIMS Commitment to Diversity and Respect

Equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to academic excellence in the mathematical sciences. We support an open and diverse community, which includes voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. PIMS envisions a climate in which all participants are provided with the best possible conditions for learning and research. We strive to provide a supportive and safe environment that is dedicated to excellence, equity and mutual respect. We expect all members of the PIMS Community (event organizers, event participants, faculty, staff, students, visitors) to conduct themselves in a responsible manner so as not to cause, condone or participate in the discrimination, harassment or prejudice of another person or group of persons.