Company Profile

Company Overview

Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics (ICERM):
An NSF Mathematical Sciences Institute at Brown University

ICERM is one of several National Science Foundation Mathematical Sciences Research Institutes. The oldest NSF Mathematics Institutes were created in the late 1970s and have become internationally important scientific centers of activity and outreach. All institutes receive funding from NSF's Division of Mathematical Sciences in the form of competitive five-year renewable grants. In addition, they seek supplemental support from additional federal agencies and from corporate, academic, and individual sponsors. The institute was launched in 2010 with a $15.5M to Brown University. A $17.5M grant renewal was announced in September 2015.

Mission of ICERM
The mission of ICERM is to support and broaden the relationship between mathematics and computation: specifically, to expand the use of computational and experimental methods in mathematics, to support theoretical advances related to computation, and address problems posed by the existence and use of the computer through mathematical tools, research and innovation.

Research Programs and Activities
Computers and math interact in two main ways: computing enables math and math enriches computing. These two intersections are where ICERM’s theme-driven activities focus. A large part of the research takes place in the context of two semester long thematic programs together with their associated international conferences and workshops. Scientific programs are approved by a Science Advisory Board whose members include prominent mathematicians from both academia and National Laboratories, as well as industry leaders (from Google, IBM and Microsoft Research). Other scientific activities include industry-connected programs for junior researchers, summer research programs for undergraduates, public lectures, and topical international conferences. The institute attracts over 1,000 visitors to the site each year. Many reside in Providence, RI for periods ranging from several weeks to several months.

Postdoctoral Fellows, Summer Undergraduate Research, and Professional Round Tables
ICERM incorporates the training of young people in science and pays special attention to the national need to broaden participation in the mathematical and computational sciences. The institute supports postdoctoral fellows and junior researchers in its semester long programs as well as in its international conferences. Participants in the institute’s “Summer@ICERM” undergraduate research program are in residence for an eight-week intensive program taught by faculty. The student participants and the proposals for undergraduate programs are solicited nationally and competitively. Professional Round Table discussions for early career researchers incorporates seminars as diverse as ethics, job applications and writing grant proposals.

K–12 Mathematics and Community Outreach
ICERM hosts outreach programs supported by the community, such as GirlsGetMath@ICERM,
a summer day camp for high school girls.

Contributing to ICERM Programs and Events
ICERM has a unique opportunity to shape the future of the interface between mathematics and computation, and to train the next generation of mathematical and computational scientists. While NSF supports its core programs, ICERM seeks additional funds from other federal agencies, and from corporate, academic, and individual sponsors, in order to expand the scope of its research enterprise.

Economic Impact
ICERM brings in scholars and researchers from around the world who inject nearly $3.5 million annually into the Rhode Island economy.

DIRECTORSHIP:
Brendan Hassett, Director
Sinai Robins, Deputy Director
Homer Walker, Deputy Director
Ulrica Wilson, Associate Director of Diversity & Outreach

MORE INFORMATION:
http://icerm.brown.edu