Description

The Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute (SLMath, formerly MSRI) in Berkeley, California, invites new and existing small research groups to apply for the Summer 2026 LATTICE Program. 

On-site in Berkeley, CA: June 22 – July 3, 2026
LATTICE Application Deadline: February 1, 2026

Lasting Alliance Through Team Immersion and Collaborative Exploration (LATTICE) is a new, yearlong program at the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute (SLMath) which provides opportunities for U.S. mathematicians to conduct collaborative research on topics at the forefront of the mathematical and statistical sciences. This program is designed for faculty whose research momentum may be affected by demanding teaching loads, limited access to research infrastructure, professional isolation, administrative responsibilities, or personal obligations.

Participants from existing or newly-formed independent research groups of 2-5 researchers come as a team and work on a new or established research project which they have defined. The Summer 2026 on-site program runs from June 22 to July 3, 2026. All team members must be in residence at SLMath for these two weeks and willing to pursue their project during the following academic year.

Throughout the following academic year, LATTICE provides support to facilitate collaboration, raise participants’ research profile, and strengthen professional connections. 

Help us spread the word: Download a PDF flyer to share with your networks or contacts.

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2026 Program Dates: June 22 to July 3, 2026
Location: SLMath, Berkeley, California
Website: https://www.slmath.org/lattice/409
Application Link: https://www.mathprograms.org/db/programs/1806

Application Deadline: February 1, 2026

HOW TO APPLY / APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications for the 2026 program open on September 1, 2025 via MathPrograms: https://www.mathprograms.org/db/programs/1806. Only one application per group is required.

Applications require a Project Description, a statement on alignment with the program’s goals, as well as additional information.

FUNDING AND SUPPORT

The following support will be provided to all LATTICE participants:

• Lodging in spacious and comfortable dorm apartments on the campus of UC Berkeley.
• All meals.
• Reimbursement of travel expenses to and from Berkeley.
• To allow visitors to fully participate in its scientific activities, SLMath offers Childcare Grants to researchers with children age 17 and under.
• Space permitting, mathematicians and statisticians who are spouses or partners of invited group members will be offered shared office space during the on-site visit dates.

Funding to support LATTICE 2026 is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the American Mathematical Society (AMS).

LATTICE PROGRAM DIRECTORS

• Dr. Edray Goins (Pomona College)
• Dr. Caleb Ashley (Boston College)
• Dr. Julie Simmons Ivy (University of Michigan)
• Dr. Donald E.K. Martin (North Carolina State University)
• Dr. Leslie McClure (Saint Louis University)
• Dr. Anisah Nu’Man (Spelman College)

About SLMath

The Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute (SLMath) has been supported from its origins by the U.S. National Science Foundation, joined by other government agencies, over 110 Academic Sponsor departments, private foundations and corporations, and generous and farsighted individuals.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY

• Groups can have from two to five researchers.
• All LATTICE participants must be US citizens or permanent residents, possess a PhD in the mathematical or statistical sciences, and be employed at a US institution.
• All participants must be in residence and actively engaged in the program 8:30 am - 5:00 pm daily (without remote teaching, mentoring, or other professional responsibilities) for the full two-week duration on site at SLMath.
• Researchers may be part of only one group.

For Summer 2026 only, SLMath will only accept applications from existing or newly-formed independent research groups, who will come as a team and work on a new or established research project which they have defined. Applications from individuals participants to join newly established research groups will open for the following year (LATTICE 2027). For future notifications, subscribe to the SLMath email list.

Questions? Contact coord@slmath.org.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applications require a Project Description, a statement on alignment with the program’s goals, as well as additional information. Due to funding restrictions, only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply. Only one application per group is required.

Project Description: 
The project description should not exceed two pages, should be aimed at a broad mathematical audience, and must contain the following:

• A brief history of the collaboration (if applicable)
• A description of the goals, impact, and specific research problems to be addressed
• If applicable, a description of the partial results already obtained
• A timeline for the project, including the research that will be accomplished before, during, and after the two-week residency at SLMath

Statement on Alignment with Program Goals: 
The statement on alignment with program goals should not exceed two pages. This statement should describe why the proposed group and collaboration fits with the aims of the program which are to:

“Provide space, funding, and the opportunity for in-person collaboration to small groups of mathematicians and statisticians whose research momentum may be affected by demanding teaching loads, limited access to research infrastructure, professional isolation, administrative responsibilities, or personal obligations. The goal of the program is to advance mathematical research by offering a structured environment where participants can concentrate on their work, make substantial progress, build professional connections, and contribute to the overall growth of the mathematical sciences.” In particular, this statement should describe how participation in LATTICE will positively affect the careers of each participant. 

Additional Information:
In addition to the project description and the statement on alignment with the program’s goals, the following information is required:

• A list of all members on the research team, including home institution and location, email address, confirmation of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, year of PhD, and current position.
• Current teaching load
• A biographical sketch (following NSF format if possible) of no more than three pages for each of the team members. Each sketch should include no more than 10 publications relevant to the proposed projects
• If applicable, a list of Mathematics Subject Classification Codes (primary and secondary)
• A list of keywords

Due to funding restrictions, only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply.