French mathematics in figures

France, a welcoming home for mathematicians

With 13 Fields Medals, 1 Gauss Prize and 5 Abel Prizes to their name, the work of French researchers is widely recognised internationally. There are around forty French mathematical journals, some of which are among the best published internationally.

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

Mathematics laboratories are mainly university laboratories or laboratories linked to the grandes écoles, and receive financial support from the universities (or grandes écoles where appropriate) and the CNRS. The FrenchNational Research Agency (ANR) also provides funding for various projects. In addition, as part of the future investment programme (PIA), the French government has launched a labelling programme called "Laboratoires d'excellence (LabEx)".

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

Who are the research actors?

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

• laboratories, located in French universities or Grandes Ecoles, which are associated with the CNRS ;
• national support units for mathematical research, including documentation and publishing, IT and technical resources, the dissemination of mathematics and interaction with industry;
• thematic research networks at national level;
• international conference centres dedicated to hosting programmes and symposia;
• international networks and joint international research units;
• international programmes and research schools in every country in the world.

Three international research centres for mathematicians from around the world

In the heart of Paris, the Institut Henri Poincaré (IHP) is one of the oldest international structures dedicated to mathematics and theoretical physics. It organises themed trimesters, international conferences and regular seminars, and is home to the Poincaré Chair, set up in 2013 with the Clay Institute. The IHP also offers a wide range of activities aimed at the general public. In 2023, it will open the Maison Poincaré, a place for exchanges and exhibitions dedicated to mathematics between research, education and society.

On the Luminy-Marseille campus, the Centre international de rencontres mathématiques (Cirm) organises conferences, symposia, 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 and events for the general public around a specific scientific theme.

Based in Bures-sur-Yvette, within Paris-Saclay, the Institut des hautes études scientifiques (IHES) is a leading research centre and meeting place for interdisciplinary exchanges in mathematics, theoretical physics and related sciences. It stands out for its research based on people rather than programmes.

The role of mathematical societies

Three mathematical societies - which have links with international learned societies - look after the interests of French mathematics: the Société Mathématique de France (SMF), the Société de Mathématiques Appliquées et Industrielles(SMAI) and the Société Française de Statistique (SFdS). They have an important editorial role and are also involved in joint initiatives aimed at society, business and industry (particularly the SFdS and the SMAI in the latter case).

Research structures: UMR, UAR and FR

The Insmi's activities are based on a national network that structures almost all academic research in mathematics in France. This network is made up of 44 joint research units (UMR). These units are supervised on a 'mixed' basis, in partnership between the CNRS and various higher education establishments.

The network also includes support and research units (UAR), whose mission is to provide support activities for the research units (services, logistical support, support for certain activities).

Consult the full list of Insmi's UMR

There are also 13 research federations (FR), which are regional associations of mathematics laboratories, UMRs or host teams. These federations are the natural point of contact for the regions, chambers of commerce and industry and education authorities when it comes to mathematics.

See the full list of Insmi's FR

The support and research units (UAR) and thematic networks (RT) carry out, at national level and in a spirit of pooling, the various support functions necessary for the proper development of mathematical research. They provide :

• pooled computing resources provided by the Mathrice thematic network , which is also the professional network for people in charge of systems and network administration ;
• Documentary resources, coordinated by the Réseau national des bibliothèques de mathématiques (RNBM), a professional network of documentalists and librarians in the Insmi's laboratories, and by the Jacques Hadamard library at Orsay, a national reference library; support for the publication of open access French mathematical journals via the UAR Mathdoc, which is developing anopen access scientific publishing platform (the Mersenne centre) and a digital library (Numdam);
• conference centres where you can organise or take part in scientific events and meet mathematicians from all walks of life: the Institut Henri Poincaré (IHP) and the Centre international de rencontres mathématiques (CIRM);
• a network for exchanging and sharing experiences on the dissemination of mathematics, the AuDiMath thematic network ;
• assistance in developing relations with industry, provided by the Agency for Mathematics in Interaction with Industry and Society (AMIES);
• The CNRS Open Research Data Division (DDOR) develops and implements CNRS data policy. The Gricadunit pools computing skills and expertise at regional level on the Grenoble site;
• The Artificial Intelligence for Science, Science for Artificial Intelligence (AISSAI) centre, shared with CNRS Sciences informatiques.