Canada, Alberta and the U.S. Combine to Create Math Think Tank in Banff, Alberta

New $5 Million International Program First in North America

(Banff, Alberta) - The Governments of Canada and Alberta today joined the U.S. National Science Foundation to launch the Banff International Research Station (BIRS) for mathematical discovery and innovation. It will be housed in the Banff Centre and start operations in 2003.

BIRS will pursue a broad program covering pure and applied mathematics, which are the basis for new discovery and technologies in many sectors. It will provide the infrastructure for an environment that optimizes opportunities for creative interaction and exchange of ideas, knowledge and methods within the mathematical sciences and their related areas.

The initiative will receive $1.5 million from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), $1.7 million from the Alberta Science and Research Authority and $1.95 million from the U.S. National Science Foundation. It's the first time that the U.S. Foundation has made such an investment in Canada.

"We are delighted that top-flight university and industry researchers from around the world will be coming to Alberta. They will be sharing ideas and knowledge in a discipline that is absolutely fundamental to science, innovation and the economy," said the Honourable Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for NSERC.

"This funding partnership recognizes the station's potential to become an international centre of mathematical research excellence. We are proud to support an initiative that will attract some of the best international researchers and graduate students to Alberta," stated Victor Doerksen, Minister of Alberta Innovation and Science responsible for ASRA.

"The Banff Station is a step forward for the Canadian mathematical community and Canadian research," said NSERC President Tom Brzustowski. NSERC's contribution will be made through a grant program that gives Canadian researchers access to national and international facilities.

The Banff proposal was spearheaded in Canada by the Pacific Institute for Mathematical Sciences (PIMS), a Canadian mathematics research consortium supported in part through an NSERC Institute grant and by the British Columbia Ministry of Competition, Science and Enterprise. BIRS will also be supported by MITACS, one of the federal Networks of Centres of Excellence. PIMS was commended for seizing the opportunity to bring the facility here and for securing wide support for it. NSERC received almost 400 letters of support from researchers in Canada, the U.S., and around the world.

The Banff Station will be modeled on two similar European facilities that have proven highly successful in advancing research and developing the careers of young researchers.

BIRS, which begins operation in early 2003, will offer intensive five-day workshops, as well as host longer problem-solving sessions for periods of up to four weeks.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Arnet Sheppard, NSERC Newsbureau
Tel.: (613) 995-5997
E-mail: axs@nserc.ca

Glenn Guenther, Director of Communications
Alberta Innovation and Science
Tel.: (780) 427-0285
Email: glenn.guenther@gov.ab.ca