The purpose of the AARMS Conference and Workshop program is to provide financial support for short academic events focussed on research in the mathematical sciences.  These include (but are not limited to) conferences, workshops, summer schools, and minicourses.  We encourage researchers from all disciplines to apply for support.  In general AARMS is not in a position to fund indefinite continuing activities. Successful applicants will be expected to produce a report on their event.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for support, events must demonstrate some connection to Atlantic Canada.  That is, events should either:

  • be held in Atlantic Canada;
  • be principally organized by a faculty member (or members) from one or more of the AARMS member universities; and/or
  • involve a significant number of participants/speakers from Atlantic Canada.

Events should be primarily focussed on the mathematical sciences; i.e. pure or applied mathematics, theoretical computer science, theoretical physics, mathematical biology, financial mathematics, statistics, industrial mathematics, etc.

AARMS will generally only reimburse NSERC eligible expenses.  For example, conference banquets are not eligible for AARMS funding.

Application procedures

All applications to this program must be made through the AARMS online system.  Applicants are encouraged to informally contact AARMS before submission to discuss their proposal, but we cannot accept formal funding requests via email.

During the application process, applicants will be asked to provide:

  • The full event name (without acronyms).
  • Names and affiliations of all event organizers.
  • Start and end dates of the event.
  • The event venue.
  • The total amount of money requested from AARMS.
  • A detailed budget showing all anticipated sources of revenue and expenses.  (It is important for this budget to be complete; i.e., it is not acceptable to just list expenses to be covered by AARMS funds.)
  • An estimate of:
    • the total number of participants,
    • the total number of participants from Atlantic Canada, and
    • the total number of speakers from Atlantic Canada.   
  • A list of confirmed participants at the time of application.
  • A short description of the event suitable for publication on the AARMS website.
  • A freeform pdf document describing the event in detail, including a section describing how the event is related to Atlantic Canada.

Evaluation of proposals

All proposals will be evaluated by the AARMS Executive Committee, whose decisions are final.  The Executive committee typically evaluates proposals three times a year: January 15, May 15 and September 15.  If there is a compelling reason to evaluate a proposal on a different date, applicants should contact the AARMS Executive Administrator.

Evaluation criteria

Preference will be given to events that:

  • involve more than one of the AARMS member universities;
  • involve a significant number of students or postdoctoral fellows;
  • are organized by an AARMS Collaborative Research Group;
  • have multiple funding sources (i.e. events which leverage AARMS funding appropriately);
  • promote interdisciplinary or industrial collaboration; and/or
  • promote the participation of traditionally underrepresented groups in the mathematical sciences.

It is important to note that the above are not necessary requirements; i.e. events that do not satisfy any of the above criteria are still eligible for funding.  However, proposals that do address some of these are more likely to receive full funding.

Reporting requirements and reimbursement

The organizers of AARMS-funded events are required to submit a report after the event and prior to reimbursement.  This report should include:

  • a description of the event and the activities that made it up;
  • complete lists of revenue and expenses for the event;
  • the total number of:
    • participants,
    • international participants,
    • student participants,
    • postdoctoral participants,
    • female and male participants, and
    • participants who are members of visible minorities;
  • primary research areas of participants (pure math, applied math, statistics, computer science, math biology, general science, engineering, economics, physics, chemistry, geophysics, or other); and
  • the NSERC evaluation group associated with any participants holding Discovery Grants.

Organizers are also encouraged to describe any scientific outcomes from their event, such as publications, proceedings, new results, new approaches, grant applications, new collaborations, etc.  

Photos from AARMS funded events suitable for posting on the AARMS website or via social media are most welcome.  These may be included with the final report, or shared with AARMS via social media.

If so inclined, organizers are also encouraged to submit a popular-style article about their event that is suitable for publication in the AARMS newsletter or on the AARMS website as a news item.