General scientific activity generally consists of a period of one day to one month of concentrated activity in a specific area of current research interest in the mathematical sciences. General scientific activity should include opportunities for the involvement of graduate students. A large number of general scientific activities are scheduled for each academic year. Topics supported through general scientific activity are often newly emerging areas in the mathematical sciences in Canada and add breadth to the range of research supported by the Fields Institute. These activities can be in the form of workshops, seminars, conferences and/or summer schools.

A more detailed description of GSA is available at here

Preparation for proposal submission

Proposals for general scientific activity should be submitted by a member (or members) of the Canadian mathematical sciences community, on behalf of the proposed program committee.
The proposals are due by October 15, February 15 and June 15 of each year and decisions will be announced shortly afterwards.
NOTE For events requesting over $20,000 which are considered by the Scientific Advisory Panel, decisions for these proposals will be announced by early December or June.
Please submit electronically copy to proposals@fields.utoronto.ca
Proposals which may be eligible for MITACS networking funding should also be be submitted to MITACS (Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex systems, is a Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE) for the Mathematical Sciences). The proposal to Fields should indicate that MITACS funding has been sought.

Proposal Format

Proposals for general scientific activities should be submitted in the following format:

Names and affiliations of the organizing committee of the proposed program, with full contact information
Estimated date(s) and location(s) of scientific activity
Executive summary or brief description of the topic, presented in lay terms

Description of the topic to be covered
Scientific background/history of the topic
Recent progress

Possible future directions and developments
Outline of the proposed program
Proposed budget*
Names and affiliations of proposed short- and long-term participants
Curriculum vitae (or NSERC Form 100) for each proposed organizing committee member
Names and contact information of two potential referees

*Support for preparing proposals

Sample budgets and consultations are available to assist in preparing proposals for General Scientific events. See the Budgeting Guidelines for more information. If you have any other questions, please send your email to the Deputy Director.