The International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), held every four years and widely regarded as the premier global gathering for the mathematical sciences, is set to take place in Philadelphia, USA, from July 23 to July 30, 2026. This event will feature the awarding of the Fields Medal, often described as the Nobel Prize of Mathematics, to up to four mathematicians under the age of 40 who have made outstanding contributions to the field.
In recent months, the decision to host the 2026 ICM in the United States has sparked growing concern among segments of the international mathematical community. An online petition calling for the relocation of the congress or a boycott of participation has garnered significant attention, with claims that over 2,300 mathematicians from at least 76 countries have signed in support of moving the event out of the U.S. And committing not to attend if it remains in Philadelphia.
The petition, which has circulated through academic networks and social media, cites broader geopolitical tensions and concerns about the accessibility of the United States for international scholars as key motivations. Organizers of the petition argue that holding such a pivotal international event in the U.S. At this time risks excluding mathematicians from countries affected by travel restrictions, visa delays, or diplomatic strains, thereby undermining the congress’s core principle of global inclusivity in the pursuit of mathematical knowledge.
While the source of the petition claim originates from an unverified image and accompanying text shared online, independent verification through authoritative channels confirms the foundational facts about the ICM 2026. The London Mathematical Society, a recognized authority on international mathematical affairs, has officially stated that the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians will be held in Philadelphia from July 23 to July 30, 2026, and will include the awarding of the Fields Medal and other IMU prizes.
This confirmation aligns with historical precedent: the ICM has been hosted by various nations since its inception in 1897, with recent editions taking place in Rio de Janeiro (2018) and a virtual format from Helsinki (2022). The United States last hosted the ICM in 1986 in Berkeley, California. The selection of host countries is determined by the International Mathematical Union (IMU), which oversees the congress and its associated awards, including the Fields Medal, the Abacus Medal, and the Chern Medal.
The Fields Medal itself, established in 1936 in honor of Canadian mathematician John Charles Fields, is awarded every four years at the ICM Opening Ceremony. As of 2022, 64 individuals have received the medal, with the most recent recipients honored in 2022. The prize includes a monetary award of CA$15,000 and is widely regarded as one of the highest honors in mathematics, particularly for early-career researchers.
Despite the visibility of the online petition, no official statement from the IMU, the American Mathematical Society (AMS), or the Local Organizing Committee for ICM 2026 has indicated any plans to relocate the event or alter its schedule due to the petition. The AMS, which is supporting the U.S. Hosting effort, has emphasized the opportunity for ICM 2026 to showcase American mathematical research and foster international collaboration.
Registration details for ICM 2026 have been made public by the London Mathematical Society, outlining tiered pricing based on registration timing. Early registration (by January 1, 2026) for full participants is set at USD $570, increasing to USD $620 for advanced registration (by May 11, 2026), and USD $670 for onsite registration (from July 22, 2026). Reduced rates apply for students and accompanying persons, with similar tiered increases.
Additional opportunities for participation include submitting short communications or posters on recent mathematical work completed after 2022, with a submission deadline of January 1, 2026. Proposals for satellite events associated with the congress must be submitted by December 31, 2025, with decisions expected by January 3, 2026.
As of the current date — Saturday, April 25, 2026 — the ICM 2026 remains scheduled for July in Philadelphia. No verifiable evidence has emerged to confirm that the petition has triggered formal reconsideration by the IMU or host institutions. The mathematical community continues to engage in dialogue about the role of international gatherings in an era of geopolitical complexity, but the congress proceeds according to its established timeline.
For the latest official updates on ICM 2026, including registration, submission guidelines, and program announcements, interested parties are directed to the websites of the International Mathematical Union, the American Mathematical Society, and the London Mathematical Society.
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