A thematic program generally consists of several months of concentrated activity in a specific area of current research interest in the mathematical sciences. The current policy of the Institute is to support two six-month programs each year, as well as a two-month summer program which is interdisciplinary in nature. Among the components that are included in a thematic program are:

short- and long-term visitors,
post-doctoral fellows,
graduate courses and lecture series,
seminars, workshops, and conferences.

A thematic program should contain a significant component for graduate students, including graduate courses and ready access to long-term visitors.

Preparation for proposal submission

Deadlines for letters of intent and proposals for thematic programs at the Fields Institute are March 15 and August 31 each year. Organizers are advised that a lead time of several years is required, and are encouraged to submit a short letter of intent (1- 2 pages) prior to preparing a complete proposal allowing the Institute's Director and Deputy Director an opportunity to provide feedback and direction in the submission of a proposal. This letter should include title of program, organizers, contact information for lead organizer, description of topic and itemization of some key activities, arguments about why such a program should be run, and preferred dates. Organizers may consult the directorate about their projects in advance to help structure their proposal.
A draft of the proposal is encouraged at least three months before the deadline, allowing an opportunity for feedback on the draft proposal.
The final proposal is due by March 15 and August 31 of each year for consideration by the Scientific Advisory Panel who meet in November and May of each year. Please send an electronic copy to proposals@fields.utoronto.ca or send a copy to

Director
Fields Institute for Research in the Mathematical Sciences
222 College St., Second Floor
Toronto, ON M5T 3J1
Proposals for thematic programs should be submitted by a member (or members) of the Canadian mathematical sciences community, on behalf of a proposed program committee with strong national and international components. If a program is accepted, the program committee (with the assistance of the Institute's Director or his/her designee) will carry primary responsibility for the operation of the program.

Proposal Format

Proposals for thematic programs should be submitted in the following format:

Names and affiliations of the organizing committee of the proposed program, with full contact information
Estimated date(s) and location(s) of scientific activity
Executive summary or brief description of the topic, presented in lay terms
o Description of the topic to be covered
o Scientific background/history of the topic
o Recent progress
Possible future directions and developments
Outline of the proposed program, including related scientific activity
Proposed graduate courses, with and names and affiliations of instructors
Proposed budget
Names and affiliations of proposed short- and long-term participants
Names, affiliations, and brief biographies of two proposed Coxeter Lecture Series** speakers.
Curriculum vitae (or NSERC Form 100) for each proposed organizing committee member
Names and contact information of three or more proposed referees

*Support for preparing proposals

Sample budgets and consultations are available to assist in preparing proposals for thematic programs. Contact the Institute's Directorate Office for assistance.

**Coxeter and Distinguished Lecture Series

The Coxeter and Distinguished Lecture Series are often organized in concert with the current thematic program. The standard number of DLS/CLS speakers per six-month program is one. An additional DLS/CLS speaker for a six-month program, or a DLS/CLS speaker for a two-month program, will be considered by the SAP if the proposed speaker satisfies three criteria:

They must be at the right high level of scientific distinction.
They must be affirmed to be excellent speakers.
The organizers must make the case that they contribute to the institute's goal of enlarging the community by representing some desirable aspect of diversity: gender, ethnic, geographic, or the crossing of discipline boundaries

The final determination, however, will be made by the SAP
The budget for any CLS/DLS speakers comes from outside the program budget.