The IMS is committed to supporting the probability, statistics, and data science communities worldwide. This initiative seeks to establish an IMS fund that provides funding support for workshops, meetings, and schools in these subjects in under-resourced regions of the world. Further details of this initiative are given below.
Structure
The IMS will set aside funds up to USD 30k annually (with the possibility of an increase in the future, based on the growth of the endowment and the success of the program) to provide financial support for workshops, meetings, and schools in under-resourced regions around the world. These funds may be used to support a series of workshops over 2-3 years or a one-off workshop. Funding will be allocated only to compelling programs that demonstrate the funds will be put to good use.
Eligibility
The IMS is particularly interested in supporting individuals. IMS funds can be used for a person’s travel and accommodation only if the person is an IMS member, unless under exceptional circumstances. IMS membership is free for students, reduced for recent graduates, and reduced for those living in developing countries.
Stipulations
Organizers should prominently advertise the IMS in their meeting, and encourage participants to become IMS members; an explanation of how they will do so will be an important part of the application and factored into the decision-making, in addition to scientific criteria. Organizers who receive funding for an event will be required to send a brief post-activity report within a month of the conference’s completion, outlining precisely how the funds were used, how the IMS was advertised at the conference, and including any quotes from students and speakers about how they benefited from the conference. If funding is granted for a conference series, subsequent funding may be predicated on the proper use of funds from the previous meeting and the timely submission of a report. Organizers may be invited to share their activities by writing an article in the IMS Bulletin.
Application Process and Dates
Individuals interested in applying for this fund should complete an application form that provides sufficient information for the committee to assess its impact (see attached draft). There will be two application deadlines (February 28 and August 31) per year for workshops, meetings, and schools to be held within 6-15 months. Decisions will be made within 1-2 months of the application deadline for that cycle.
Selection Process
An IMS committee will be formed with diverse representation from researchers across different parts of the world. The committee will be responsible for publicizing the availability of these funds and determining the amounts to be allocated to the best applications. CoIs of committee members with applicants must be clearly declared before discussions begin. If there are no compelling applications in a year, no funds may be disbursed that year. This will allow more high-quality proposals to be submitted in a future year. The IMS outreach committee will also help advertise this initiative.