From
its inception, the IMA has worked closely with a group of affiliated
research institutions known as the IMA Participating Institutions
or PIs. The breadth that this has brought to IMA program and
participation has been very important to its success. PI membership
brings many direct benefits to the institutional members, and
is an excellent way for them to support and guide the development
of mathematical sciences linked to important applications. From
its initial core of 8 universities, the PI program has now grown
to around 35 universities and government laboratories from all
parts of the country and several from abroad.
Maximal opportunities for participation by PI scientists.
$3,000 of the annual membership is specifically earmarked for
support of participation at IMA programs, workshops, tutorials,
conferences, and seminars, by scientists from the participating
institutions. This money is often matched by additional IMA
contributions. Moreover, PI faculty are given preferential consideration
for visiting appointments. The IMA often proves to be an ideal
location for junior faculty wishing to connect to applications
and established faculty looking to realign their research in
more interdisciplinary directions. Applications for sabbatical
visits from PI faculty are encouraged. PIs are kept apprised
IMA activities. In summary, membership in the IMA removes barriers
and greatly increases faculty participation.
Direct influence on IMA directions and programming. Participating
Institutions are given early access to IMA planning documents.
IMA programming is discussed at annual meetings of heads of
PI departments, and PI heads are consulted regularly. Input
from PIs is among the most important in setting the directions
of IMA programs.
Access to the IMA scientific community. Through participation
in IMA progams, faculty from PI departments interact with a
broad section of the math sciences community. They make links
with other researchers involved with applications, not only
from academic math departments, but also from other disciplines,
and from industrial and government laboratories. On a number
of occasions the IMA has run programs specifically designed
to foster interaction between scientists from the Participating
Institutions and the Participating Corporations. Continuing
collaboration and consulting relationships have often grown
out of contacts made at the IMA. Heads of PI departments also
appreciate the access to their peers at their annual meeting.
PI Conferences. The IMA contributes $50,000 per year
to conferences held at Participating Institutions. This contribution
is often effective seed money to generate further support from
other sources.
Summer Program for Graduate Students. Each year the IMA
collaborates with a PI to conduct a summer program aimed at
graduate students from the PIs. These programs typically last
four weeks and features distinguished lecturers. The IMA provides
up to $50,000 for lecturer and participant expenses and provided
logistical support and publicity.
Advocacy. The IMA is a committed advocate of the value
of mathematics to the solution of important problems from other
disciplines, industry, and technology. We are always happy to
learn of ways that we can work with PI departments to enhance
their programs. As a result, the IMA has been a resource for
strengthening the position of math sciences departments within
their university.
Publicity. PI membership is an ideal way for an institution
to express its support for mathematics and its applications.
The support of Participating Institutions is publicly acknowledged
in numerous ways, including listing on the IMA Letterhead, web
documents, posters, brochures, etc., increasing visibility and
generating good will in the mathematical sciences community.
The
annual IMA membership fee for an academic institution is $10,000.
The term runs from September 1 through August 31 each year, but
PIs may join at any time and pay a prorated fee. $3,000 is set
aside from the annual membership each year in a special accumulating
account to be used to support travel of scientists to and from
the PI institution.
[Details: PIs in good standing can spend funds from their account
at any time at the discretion of the PI contact
to support PI faculty and graduate students (from any department)
to participate in IMA programs, including other PI conferences;
and
to support visits to the PI by scientists in residence
at the IMA or at other IMA Participating Institutions.
The funds may be used to supplement other IMA funding for sabbatical
and long term visits to the IMA. Allowable expenses are travel
(airfare, taxi, etc.), and local expenses (meals and lodging).
Other expenses, such as salaries, fringe benefits, indirect costs,
honoraria, and consultant fees are not allowable. In order to
release the PI account funds, the IMA requires a brief email from
the PI contact (usually the chair of the mathematics department)
to
in advance
of the travel stating who is to be supported, whether the support
is for travel, local expenses, or both, and any limit to the amount
authorized. Upon receipt of the authorization, the IMA accounting
staff will contact the visitor regarding the reimbursement process.]
Inquiries concerning the IMA Participating Institution
program should be sent to the
.
Maximal opportunities for participation by PI scientists.
$3,000 of the annual membership is specifically earmarked for
support of participation at IMA programs, workshops, tutorials,
conferences, and seminars, by scientists from the participating
institutions. This money is often matched by additional IMA
contributions. Moreover, PI faculty are given preferential consideration
for visiting appointments. The IMA often proves to be an ideal
location for junior faculty wishing to connect to applications
and established faculty looking to realign their research in
more interdisciplinary directions. Applications for sabbatical
visits from PI faculty are encouraged. PIs are kept apprised
IMA activities. In summary, membership in the IMA removes barriers
and greatly increases faculty participation.