The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) “Conferences and Workshops in the Mathematical Sciences” program, outlined in solicitation NSF 21-541, supports proposals for conferences, workshops, and similar events that foster research, education, and community engagement in the mathematical sciences. The program aims to fund gatherings that disseminate research, explore new directions, and facilitate connections among the mathematics community. Funding requests may be for any amount, typically ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 for single events. For larger or multi-year events, requests may exceed $50,000 and extend up to three years, though proposals with larger budgets may require additional processing and review time.

This funding opportunity is open to U.S.-based institutions of higher education and certain non-profit, non-academic organizations. There are no restrictions on who may serve as Principal Investigator (PI), nor limits on the number of proposals per organization or individual PI. Proposals must be submitted to the appropriate Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS) program, and it is recommended that applicants consult with a program officer to ensure correct submission. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis and can be submitted through either Research.gov or Grants.gov.

The program emphasizes inclusivity and diversity in participation, encouraging proposals that broaden engagement by supporting students, junior investigators, and members of underrepresented groups in mathematics. To align with these priorities, proposals should clearly outline plans for participant recruitment, including strategies to engage diverse individuals and institutions. The program supports both U.S.-based events and limited U.S. participation in international conferences when justified. However, DMS generally avoids supporting main event costs for international conferences, instead focusing on enabling U.S.-based scientists to attend.

Review criteria for this program follow NSF’s standard merit review guidelines: Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. Additional criteria specific to this solicitation include assessing how well proposals promote diversity, their connection to priority areas within mathematical sciences, and the impact on the broader U.S. mathematics community. Proposals should include a strong scientific rationale, distinguish the event from similar conferences, and provide a dissemination plan to expand the reach of event outcomes. Proposals with budgets below $50,000 may be reviewed internally, while higher-budget proposals require external reviews.

Successful applicants will need to comply with NSF’s award conditions, including submission of annual and final reports that document participant engagement and diversity, usage of funds, and a summary of outcomes. For further details, program officers such as Tomek Bartoszynski, Marian Bocea, and others are available for consultation. Additional resources, updates, and guidance on the submission process can be accessed via NSF’s website.