The Fields Institute

What The Fields Institute does

The Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences is an independent, non-profit mathematical research organization founded in 1992 and headquartered in a purpose-built facility at 222 College Street on the University of Toronto's St. George Campus. It promotes mathematical activity in Canada and supports the application of mathematics across academia, industry, finance, and education. Its operational footprint includes approximately 20-25 staff supporting roughly 60 visiting researchers at any time, funded through a combination of Federal and Provincial government grants, membership fees from 9 Principal Sponsoring Universities and 12+ Affiliate Universities, corporate memberships, and individual donations.

The Institute's core offerings are organized around five pillars. First, Thematic and Focus Programs (1-6 months) concentrate researchers on specific topics in pure and applied mathematics, statistics, and mathematical education. Second, an annual events slate including the Fields Medal Symposium, workshops, conferences, seminars, and summer schools draws international participation, with hybrid access via the FieldsLive streaming platform. Third, specialized research centres cover Mathematical AI, Quantitative Analysis and Modelling (CQAM), Financial Industries, Mathematical Medicine, Mathematics Education, and Sustainable Development, plus the joint NRC-Fields Collaboration Centre with the National Research Council of Canada. Fourth, training pipelines include the Fields Undergraduate Summer Research Program (FUSRP) launched in 2010, the Fields Academy for K-12 mathematics education, postdoctoral and visiting fellowships (including Fields Research Fellowships and Simons Distinguished Visitorships), and the Fields Research Exchange Program enabling mobility with CNRS, FMJH, FSMP, NCTS, and Shandong University. Fifth, a publications division produces communications, monographs, the Fields Mathematics Education Journal, and the Mathematics-in-Industry Case Studies Journal.

The Institute's revenue model is a hybrid non-profit structure: government appropriations (Federal and Provincial), recurring PSU and affiliate university membership contributions, corporate membership fees (Cannex, D1g1t, Maplesoft, Scotiabank, Waterfront International), episodic competitive grants (notably a $4M Ontario grant for CQAM in 2017 and a $666K CIHR COVID-19 modelling grant in 2020), and individual donations including a $496/year "Friend of Fields" tier. The customer base spans academic mathematicians (graduate students through established scientists), industry and financial institutions engaging through CIM (Commercial and Industrial Mathematics Program) and the Centre for Financial Industries, and K-12/undergraduate students receiving educational programming. Distribution is event-driven and direct, with hybrid (in-person and online) access to programs and global outreach via thematic programs, FUSRP, the Fields Medal Symposium, and international research exchanges.

Name

The Fields Institute

Legal name

The Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences

Website

https://fields.utoronto.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Fields Institute is a Canadian non-profit mathematical research centre at the University of Toronto that promotes mathematics in Canada through thematic programs, fellowships, research centres, and educational outreach serving academic researchers, industry partners, and students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mathematical Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Management Research Institutes & Doctoral (PhD/DBA) Programs (EDAHAHAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Academic & Scientific Conferences (MPAGAGAD), Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB), Advanced Project-Based Learning & Portfolio Mentoring (STEM/arts portfolios, maker projects) (EDANAKAI)

Keywords

• Mathematical research services
• Thematic research programs
• Academic fellowships
• Mathematics education outreach
• Research institute events

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: The Institute is funded by Federal and Provincial governments of Canada
2. University Sponsorships: Funded by nine Principal Sponsoring Universities (PSUs) and multiple Affiliate Universities through membership contributions
3. Corporate Memberships: Corporate members and affiliates including Cannex, D1g1t, Maplesoft, Scotiabank, and Waterfront International provide funding and engagement
4. Donations and Fundraising: Donations from individuals through 'Friend of Fields' program ($496/year) and bequests, gift of securities, and corporate sponsorships

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Fields Institute runs long-duration thematic and focus research programs (1–6 months), workshops, conferences, seminars, summer schools, and public lectures that bring together mathematicians from Canada and internationally. It supports a portfolio of specialized research centres (Mathematical AI, Quantitative Analysis and Modelling, Financial Industries, Mathematical Medicine, Mathematics Education, Sustainable Development, and the NRC-Fields Collaboration Centre), administers fellowships and exchange programs, runs the Fields Undergraduate Summer Research Program (FUSRP) and Fields Academy K-12 outreach, publishes journals and monographs, and broadcasts events via FieldsLive.

Product overview

The Fields Institute is a centre for mathematical research activity that operates as a collection of interconnected research programs, educational initiatives, and specialized centres rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings include: (1) Thematic and Focus Programs - long-term collaborative research initiatives; (2) Fields Undergraduate Summer Research Program (FUSRP) - a nine-week competitive summer research program for undergraduates; (3) Fields Academy - educational programming for future mathematicians; (4) Fields Research Fellowship and Fields Research Exchange Program - fellowship and mobility programs; (5) FieldsLive - streaming video service for remote event participation; and (6) Seven specialized research centres covering Mathematical AI, Quantitative Analysis and Modelling, Financial Industries, Mathematical Medicine, Mathematics Education, Sustainable Development, and NRC collaboration. The institute also maintains a publications division producing journals and monographs. The Fields Medal Symposium represents its flagship public-facing event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Thematic and Focus Programs Long-term research programs lasting 1–6 months that bring together researchers with common interests for collaboration across all areas of mathematical sciences and applied mathematics; open to researchers worldwide.
• Fields Undergraduate Summer Research Program (FUSRP) An annual nine-week competitive summer research program that provides undergraduate students from across the globe the opportunity to work individually or in small groups with premier mathematicians on math-related real-life problems.
• Fields Academy Educational initiative focused on training and supporting future mathematicians at various developmental stages, including K-12 outreach, Math Circles, and teacher support.
• Fields Research Fellowship Fellowship providing office space, access to Fields facilities and activities, and living expense allowances for visiting researchers from Principal Sponsoring Universities and beyond.
• Fields Research Exchange Program International exchange programme enabling researchers to travel between Fields Institute, Principal Sponsoring Universities, and international partner institutions (CNRS, FMJH, FSMP, Shandong University, NCTS) for collaborative research.
• FieldsLive Live streaming video service for broadcasting Institute events, workshops, and lectures to remote participants worldwide.
• Fields Medal Symposium Annual scientific program centered on the work of Fields Medalists, featuring public lectures, scientific programs, and networking events for students and researchers.
• Centre for Mathematical AI Research centre focused on mathematical aspects of artificial intelligence and machine learning, coordinating related research and events at the Institute.
• Centre for Quantitative Analysis and Modelling (CQAM) Research centre focused on quantitative analysis and mathematical modelling methodologies and applications across science and industry.
• Centre for Financial Industries Research centre bringing together mathematics and industry expertise in financial sectors to catalyze scientific activity and industry-academia collaboration.
• Centre for Mathematical Medicine Research centre focused on applications of mathematics to medical, biological, and health-related problems, including infectious disease modelling.
• Centre for Mathematics Education Research centre devoted to transformative research in mathematics education and STEM education, hosting the Mathematics Education Forum and related programming.
• Centre for Sustainable Development Research centre focused on mathematical applications related to sustainable development and environmental challenges.
• NRC-Fields Collaboration Centre Partnership centre with the National Research Council of Canada for collaborative research initiatives in the mathematical sciences, with NRC researchers assigned to the Institute.
• Fields Quantitative Information Security Specialization Specialized training program in quantitative information security providing intensive applied mathematics training for participants.
• Fields Institute Publications Publishing division producing the Fields Institute Communications and Monographs series, the Fields Mathematics Education Journal, and the Mathematics-in-Industry Case Studies Journal.

Quantifiable outcome

• Office space for 60 visiting members at a purpose-built facility on University of Toronto campus
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Research Council of Canada (NRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2019NRC-Fields Collaboration Centre partnership for joint research initiatives in mathematical sciences. Includes NRC researchers assigned to Fields Institute.
• Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2019Three-year partnership with France's largest fundamental research organization to stimulate mathematical sciences research and outreach. Provides exchange opportunities for researchers, postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, and undergraduates between Fields and CNRS labs.
• Fondation mathématique Jacques-Hadamard (FMJH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2019Partnership with the French initiative at Université Paris-Saclay supporting scientific excellence in mathematical sciences. Enables research exchanges for students, postdoctoral researchers, and senior researchers between organizations.
• Ryerson DMZ (Now Toronto Metropolitan University)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2017Collaboration to take mathematical startups to the next level through incubator support and mentorship.
• Fondation Sciences Mathématiques de Paris (FSMP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Paris-based mathematical institute for cooperative activities promoting mathematical sciences research and outreach. Includes exchanges for PhD students, junior researchers, and senior researchers.
• MitacscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to fund graduate and postdoctoral fellows. Mitacs GlobalLink offers travel funding between Canada and international partners for researchers.
• Perimeter Institute for Theoretical PhysicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Fields-Perimeter Africa Postdoctoral Fellowship for African Nationals in mathematical sciences or theoretical physics. Also supports the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Next Einstein Initiative.
• Institute for Advanced Research (IAR), Shandong UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner institution for the Fields Research Exchange Program, enabling researcher exchanges between Canada and China.
• National Centre for Theoretical Sciences (NCTS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner institution for researcher exchanges in theoretical sciences.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Max Planck Institute for Mathematics: German government-funded research institute in Bonn focused on pure mathematics. Operates with a similar long-term research fellow model and government core funding structure, providing a European peer comparable in scope and funding model.
• Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics: A Canadian theoretical physics research institute in Waterloo, Ontario funded by government, private donors, and partners. Operates with a similar model of long-term research programs, visiting scholars, and a purpose-built facility — the closest Canadian analogue to Fields' structure and mission.
• Banff International Research Station (BIRS): Canadian mathematical research station in Banff, Alberta. Hosts 5-day workshops and conferences for mathematical scientists — directly comparable to Fields' workshop programming, with a narrower, event-driven mandate but shared Canadian ecosystem and overlapping research community.
• Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (IHÉS): Elite French mathematical and theoretical physics research institute near Paris, government- and donor-funded. World-renowned for fundamental research with similar visiting professor model and Fields is a direct partner through CNRS/FMJH/FSMP agreements.
• Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS): Canadian mathematical sciences institute hosted at UBC and partner universities across Western Canada. Co-administers the CRM-Fields-PIMS Prize and runs similar thematic programs and postdoctoral fellowships, functioning as a regional peer with overlapping mandate.
• Clay Mathematics Institute: US-based private foundation supporting mathematical research, including the famous Millennium Prize Problems. Funds mathematicians and research programs globally with a mandate similar to Fields' promotion of mathematical sciences, but as a grant-making rather than operating institute.
• Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (SL Math): A US-based mathematical sciences research institute in Berkeley, California, historically funded by NSF and private foundations. Hosts thematic programs and workshops on a comparable model to Fields, making it the most direct international peer in mathematical research programming.
• Centre de Recherches Mathématiques (CRM): Canadian mathematical research centre affiliated with Université de Montréal. Co-administers the CRM-Fields-PIMS Prize and collaborates on programming and grants (including the COVID-19 modelling grant) — operates an essentially identical mission to Fields within the Canadian math ecosystem.

Emerging players

• African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS): Pan-African network of centres for postgraduate mathematical sciences training and research. Receives direct support from Fields through the joint Fields-Perimeter Africa Postdoctoral Fellowship and Next Einstein Initiative — a peer in mission with a developing global footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Institute for Advanced Study (IAS): Elite US research institute at Princeton with a School of Mathematics hosting visiting researchers and long-term programs. Operates at significantly larger scale and broader scope (mathematics, natural sciences, social science), but is the benchmark institute of this type globally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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• Facebookfacebook.com/fieldsinstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-fields-institute-for-research-in-mathematical-sciences
• Instagraminstagram.com/fieldsinstitute/?ref=badge

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Fields Institute