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Research in France

From Pascal and Descartes to the "Bourbaki group", mathematical research is strongly rooted in France.

France, a welcoming home for mathematicians

Prestigiously awarded with 12 Fields medals, 1 Gauss prize, 4 Abel prizes, 4 Shaw Prizes, the French mathematical school enjoys a strong international recognition. French mathematical academic journals are classed among the highest publications in terms of international ranking and recognition.

International recognition

  • ​12 Fields Medals | Laurent SCHWARTZ (1950), Jean-Pierre SERRE (1954), René THOM (1958), Alexander GROTHENDIECK (1966), Alain CONNES (1982), Pierre-Louis LIONS and Jean-Christophe YOCCOZ (1994), Laurent LAFFORGUE (2002), Wendelin WERNER (2006), NGÔ Bào Châu and Cédric VILLANI (2010), Artur AVILA (2014).
  • 1 Gauss Prize | Yves MEYER (2010). 
  • 4 Abel Prizes | Jean-Pierre SERRE (2003), Jacques TITS (2008), Mikhail GROMOV (2009), Yves MEYER (2017).
  • 1 Wolf Prize in Mathematics since 2010 | Jean-François LE GALL (2019)
  • 4 Shaw Prizes | Maxime KONTSEVITCH (2012), Claire VOISIN (2017), Michel TALAGRAND (2019), Jean-Michel BISMUT (2021).

France boasts a wide range of research structures that complement each other: CNRS laboratories, host units, networks of all kinds, national programs, etc. The Insmi's mission is to structure the French mathematical community and to work towards its integration into the international community.

The mathematics laboratories are essentially university laboratories or laboratories linked to the grandes écoles. They receive financial support from the universities (or grandes écoles) and the CNRS. The French National Research Agency (ANR) participates in the financing of various projects. In addition, as part of the future investment program (PIA), the French government has launched a labeling program such as the "Laboratories of Excellence (LabEx)" action.

Finally, two foundations, the Fondation sciences mathématiques de Paris (FSMP) and the Fondation mathématique Jacques Hadamard (FMJH), provide funding from public and private sources; both host a LabEx.

Who are the actors of research?

The Insmi coordinates a myriad of actors with very different statutes and missions:

  • laboratories, located in French universities or Grandes Ecoles, which are associated with the CNRS;

  • the national support units for mathematical research, including documentation and publishing, computer and technical resources, the dissemination of mathematics and interactions with companies;

  • thematic research networks at a national level;

  • international research centres dedicated to hosting programmes and symposia;

  • international networks and joint international research units;

  • international programmes and research schools in all countries of the world.

Three international research centres for mathematicians from around the world

At the heart of Paris, the Institut Henri Poincaré (IHP) is one of the oldest international structures dedicated to mathematics and theoretical physics. It organises thematic trimesters, international conferences and regular seminars, and hosts the Poincaré Chair, created in 2013 with the Clay Institute. The IHP also offers a wide range of activities aimed at the general public and will open in 2022 a place dedicated to exhibitions and exchanges between research, education and society, the Maison Poincaré.

On the Luminy-Marseille campus, the International Centre for Mathematical Encounters (Cirm) organises conferences, colloquia, thematic sessions and small group research in residence, attracting researchers from all over the world. The Jean Morlet Chair, which lasts six months, provides an opportunity for conferences, working groups, small group work or events for the general public on a specific scientific theme.

Based in Bures-sur-Yvette, in the heart of Paris-Saclay, the Institut des Hautes Etudes Scientifiques (IHES) is a research centre and a meeting place of reference for interdisciplinary exchanges in mathematics, theoretical physics and any other science related to them. It is distinguished by a research based on people rather than on programmes.

Actions towards developing countries

Cimpa, the International Centre for Pure and Applied Mathematics, promotes research in mathematics in developing countries through three major activities:

  • The organisation of around 20 research schools per year, its historical activity;
     
  • supporting research training by funding research-level courses;
     
  • funding the participation of young mathematicians in short international thematic programmes.

Three involved mathematical societies

Three mathematical societies - which are linked to international mathematical societies - watch over the interests of French mathematics: the Société Mathématique de France (SMF), the Société de Mathématiques Appliquées et Industrielles (SMAI), the Société Française de Statistique (SFdS). They have an important editorial action and are also involved in joint actions towards society as well as towards business and industry (in particular the SFdS and the SMAI regarding this last point).

update

June 2022