The next International Congress of Mathematicians will be held in Berlin, Germany, from August 18-27, 1998. The first announcement has been sent out in July 1997 and the second one in January 1998. For further information please contact the Local Organizing Committee: Prof. Martin Groetschel, Konrad-Zuse-Zentrum, Takustr.7, D-14195 Berlin, Germany, e-mail: groetschel@zib.de
At the International Congress, Mathematicians from all countries gather to discuss recent developments in mathematics that are presented by leading scientists from all mathematical fields. Responsibility for the scientific program, i.e. the selection of sections and speakers, rests with an independent Program Committee that is appointed by IMU. On the recommendation of the Program Committee the Organizing Committee invites the speakers. At ICM'98 there will be twenty-one one-hour Plenary Lectures covering the major areas of mathematics and about 160 forty-five-minute Invited Lectures in nineteen sections.
During the Opening Ceremony on the first day of the Congress the Fields Medals and the Nevanlinna Prize will be awarded.
All events of the first day will take place in the International Congress Center Berlin (ICC); all other scientific events will be held at Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin). No scientific activities are scheduled for Sunday, August 23.
The preparation of ICM'98 is supported by numerous institutions within Berlin and Germany.
To make the congress a true worldwide gathering, the organizing committee places special emphasis on attracting scientists from developing countries. For this purpose, we intend to grant a large number of fellowships for research mathematicians from developing countries, in cooperation with the IMU Special Development Found, see our short information about fellowships for young mathematicians from developing countries and support of mature mathematicians from developing countries.
Similarly, the organizing committee is aware of the fact that it will be difficult for many mathematicians from Eastern Europe to attend ICM'98 without financial aid. We are currently seeking support from industry, foundations, and government institutions for this purpose. These will be made available for the participants of ICM'98. This matter is handled by the Committee for the Support of Mathematicians from Eastern Europe (CSMEE).
The Organizing Committee has set up the ICM'98 e-mail service in order to inform all persons interested in ICM'98 about recent developments. All persons subscribing to this e-mail service will also receive the printed version of Second Announcement, which provides detailed information on registration, submission of abstracts, accommodation, etc.
The necessary contingents of accommodations of every category have been reserved for the period August 18 to 27, 1998. Berlin offers a large number of relatively cheap (usually private) accommodations.
Moreover, a number of initiatives are on the way to set up an attractive social program for the participants of ICM'98 and accompanying persons. The ICM'98 Organizing Committee also plans to organize a number of events for the general public in Berlin, including a VideoMath Festival, evening lectures, and various exhibitions having a link to mathematics. Special emphasis will be given to high school students and teachers.
IMU and the Organizing Committee are making strong efforts to ensure ICM'98 participation of mathematicians coming from countries with small financial basis. In particular, IMU and the local organization have established three different support programs for
1. Young mathematicians from developing countries
2. Mathematicians from Eastern Europe
3. Mature mathematicians from developing countries
For all three programs the deadline for application was January 1, 1998. All applicants were informed about the result immediately after May 1, 1998.
The International Mathematical Union will award fellowships to young mathematicians to help them attend the ICM'98, Berlin, Germany, August 18-27, 1998. The grants, provided by the IMU Special Development Fund, will support travel costs and are intended primarily for young mathematicians from developing countries (not necessarily members of IMU).
The Local Organizing Committee of the International Congress of Mathematicians will provide a special allowance to the grantees of the travel grants to cover their registration, board and lodging in Berlin.
The age-limit for the grantees is 35 years at the time of the Congress. The candidates should present evidence of research work on post-doctoral level, and they should be able to benefit from the interaction with mathematicians from other countries attending the Congress.
In addition to the name and address of the candidate, the applications should contain brief curriculum vitae, including date of birth, plus a list of publications (papers published or accepted for publication).
The Local Organizing Committee has set up the Committee for the Support of Mathematicians from Eastern Europe (CSMEE) to support mathematicians with residence in Eastern European countries and the independent states of the former Soviet Union to attend ICM'98.
The funds of the Organizing Committee for financial support are limited. To secure the participation of as many persons as possible the local Organizing Committee will only support local costs in Berlin. Travel grants are not available. Every person applying for a grant from CSMEE is expected to cover travel expenses from other sources.
The Local Organizing Committee has set up a Committee for the Support of Mathematicians from Developing Countries (CSMDC) to support mature mathematicians (older than 35 years of age at the time of the Congress) with residence in developing countries to attend ICM'98.
The funds for financial support, partially provided by IMU, are quite small. To ensure the participation of as many persons as possible, a limited grant is provided to cover local costs in Berlin (registration, board and lodging) and travel.