Institute Policies
The provisions below describe FMI's default conduct in its programs, in its relationships with partner institutions, and in its dealings with researchers it supports. Exceptions are addressed at the end. Policies are reviewed periodically and may change.
Engagement and acknowledgement
FMI is a research and convening institute. It does not make grants. Its support takes the form of substantive partnership in the design and delivery of programs, and the word “grant” should not be used to describe an FMI engagement.
FMI engagements fall into one of three forms:
- programs initiated and run by FMI;
- programs run jointly by FMI and a partner institution, with shared design and shared cost;
- programs led by a partner institution to which FMI contributes intellectually and financially.
In each case the relationship is a partnership and is to be described as one. FMI's standard acknowledgement is “in partnership with the Futures of Mathematics Institute.” This wording belongs on event websites, printed programs, and other materials of record. Listing FMI among generic sponsors, or characterising FMI's role as “funder” or “supporter,” understates the nature of FMI's involvement and is not consistent with this policy.
Proposals for new programs are reviewed in advance by FMI's Scientific Advisory Council. Budgets are approved in advance by the Director, and budgets above the threshold set by the Board of Directors are referred to the Board.
For programs whose participants are not already known to FMI, the lead institution is expected to verify each participant's standing — through publication record, institutional affiliation, or, for students, a letter from a thesis advisor.
Travel and accommodation
FMI reimburses travel and accommodation against budgets agreed in advance of the trip. All claims must be supported by receipts or other contemporaneous documentation. Reimbursement for travel by personal car follows the IRS standard mileage rate for the year of travel.
Travelers are expected to make economically reasonable choices: economy-class air unless otherwise agreed, modestly priced hotels, and travel dates chosen to minimize total cost. A traveler who chooses a more expensive option may claim reimbursement up to what an economy itinerary on the same dates would have cost.
Hotel reimbursement covers the room rate, breakfast, and internet. It does not cover restaurant meals beyond breakfast, room service, in-room entertainment, laundry, or other personal charges. FMI does not reimburse expenses incurred by a traveler's companions, except where a written exception has been agreed in advance — for example, for caregiving responsibilities or accessibility needs.
Visa and immigration costs, where applicable, are the responsibility of the traveler.
FMI's status as a research and convening institute places limits on how its funds may be used to support research at third-party institutions. In particular, FMI funds may not be used to compensate research assistants employed by a university.
Publications
Research papers materially supported by FMI should acknowledge that support. We ask that preprints be posted on arXiv (or the field-appropriate preprint server) and that a link be sent to FMI. Where a journal's policy makes preprint posting difficult in a particular case, please raise the question with FMI before submission.
Open archive
Recordings, transcripts, and proceedings of FMI convenings are released under permissive open licenses and indexed in the FMI Open Archive. Authors and speakers retain copyright in their underlying contributions; the open license applies to FMI's published assembly and distribution. Embargo, redaction, or non-public release require a written request and a stated reason, and are decided on a case-by-case basis.
Conflicts of interest
Officers, directors, and members of the Scientific Advisory Council disclose in writing any outside professional relationships that could reasonably bear on their work for FMI. Disclosures are reviewed under FMI's conflict-of-interest policy. Donor relationships relevant to a particular publication or program are disclosed alongside that output. Donors do not direct program agendas.
Exceptions
These provisions describe FMI's default conduct. Exceptions may be granted — in writing, in advance, by the approver named in the relevant policy. Caregiving responsibilities, accessibility needs, and constraints arising from a participant's institutional context are common and reasonable grounds for exception. Larger or precedent-setting exceptions are referred to the Board of Directors.
Revised May 2026.