Math In France, a showcase for the French mathematics community at the ICM 2026
From July 23 to 30, 2026, the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) will be held in Philadelphia, United States. The French mathematical community will be represented by Math In France.
A Highlight for Mathematical Research
Over the past 120 years, the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) has become the most prestigious international conference in mathematics, a true highlight of the discipline. The congress has been held every four years since 1900 and is organized by the International Mathematical Union.
It is during this congress that the Fields Medals are awarded to four researchers under the age of 40; these medals are considered one of the two most prestigious honors in mathematics, alongside the Abel Prize. The most recent French recipient of the Fields Medal is Hugo Duminil-Copin, a tenured professor at the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (IHES), a professor at the University of Geneva, and a member of the Insmi Advisory Board and the Presidential Council for Science. He was honored for his work in probability theory in 2022.
The French school of mathematics is very regularly honored at these congresses, whether through the awarding of Fields Medals or by inviting French mathematicians—who work or were trained in France—to deliver plenary or section lectures on their research. These invitations, particularly as plenary speakers, are also considered a major honor by the global mathematical community.
The Fields Medals are announced during the opening ceremony, which will take place this year on July 23, 2026.
Math In France: A Multi-Partner Initiative Under a Single Banner
The CNRS will participate in the International Congress of Mathematicians under the joint banner Math In France, alongside key institutional partners: the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (IHES), the Institut Henri Poincaré (IHP), the Centre International de Rencontres Mathématiques (CIRM), MathDoc, the International Center for Pure and Applied Mathematics (CIMPA), and in association with France Universités and its partner universities. A Math In France booth will be present throughout the congress at booths #207 and #206.
The message conveyed to ICM attendees at this booth will reflect what drives the French mathematical community—its exemplary practices and institutions—ranging from support for scientific excellence to the importance of open science practices, while emphasizing respect for academic freedom, the importance of gender parity and diversity, the promotion of welcoming international researchers to France and international cooperation at the highest level, as well as the strength of the French mathematics network. This will also be an opportunity to highlight major French scientific resources such as Cimpa, CIRM, IHP, IHES, and Mathdoc.
This joint participation is made possible with the support of private partners and sponsors Qube
Exhibition Wild Dynamics
As part of ICM 2026, Pierre Berger, CNRS research director at IMJ-PRG, will present the exhibition Wild Dynamics, dedicated to contemporary dynamical systems. The exhibition combines interactive real-time numerical simulations, videos and images from recent research, and metal sculptures representing geometric configurations and bifurcations from the theory of dynamical systems. It invites visitors to discover the geometric richness and complexity of contemporary dynamics through an immersive experience at the intersection of research, art, and science communication.
Math In France Reception
The Math In France Reception, to be held on July 27 at the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia, will bring together members of the French mathematics community living in Philadelphia In the presence of the Ambassador of France to the United States, H.E. Laurent Bili. The event will begin with a reception for guests, followed by an opening address by the Ambassador. Christophe Besse, director of the Insmi, will then speak before a series of flash talks led by renowned researchers, including Patrick Gérard and Charles Bordenave.