Supporting Mathematical Research: An Essential Commitment to Women

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Les trois femmes décorée de la médaille Fields

The awarding of the Fields Medal to Hong Wang in 2026 was one of the major highlights of the mathematical year. A specialist in harmonic analysis and geometric measure theory, she made a decisive breakthrough in the study of the Kakeya conjecture, a century-old problem concerning the structure of geometric sets. Her distinction highlights a reality well known within the scientific community: women’s contributions play an essential role in the advancement of mathematics, even though their presence remains limited at the highest levels of international recognition.

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Since the Fields Medal was established in 1936, only three women mathematicians have received the distinction: Maryam Mirzakhani in 2014, Maryna Viazovska in 2022, and, this year, Hong Wang. This figure is not a matter of advocacy; it simply reflects the scarcity of visible female career paths in a demanding discipline, where mobility, material conditions, and access to scientific networks play a decisive role.

The careers of Maryam Mirzakhani, Maryna Viazovska, and Hong Wang illustrate the diversity and richness of women’s contributions to mathematics, spanning the geometry of Riemann surfaces, number theory, and harmonic analysis. They also highlight the importance of facilitating women researchers’ participation in international programs, providing them with appropriate conditions for their stays, and ensuring that their work receives full recognition within the scientific community.

It is in this context that the work of the IHP Endowment Fund takes on its full significance. Since 2022, the Fund has awarded Women’s Fellowships (BFFDD) to enable women mathematicians from around the world to participate in the Institut’s research programs. Worth €3,000 each, these fellowships, funded by committed philanthropic donors, provide concrete support to researchers whose ability to come to Paris often depends on challenging financial circumstances, complex personal situations, or significant geographical distance. They enable both established and emerging talents to pursue their work in a stimulating scientific environment, without financial barriers hindering their progress.

Supporting women researchers means recognizing that talent exists everywhere, but opportunities are not distributed equally or equitably. It also means providing role models for those who, even today, may hesitate to pursue a career in science for lack of visibility or support. By awarding the BFFDD fellowships, the IHP Endowment Fund, with the support of its donors, helps address these imbalances and foster the emergence of a more open, inclusive, and ambitious mathematical community.