Propose a Workshop
We invite the submission of proposals for scientific workshops to be held at the National
Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology (NITMB).
A Scientific Workshop at the NITMB is a 3-5 day focused program in a specific area of current
research at the intersection of biological and mathematical sciences.
Format
NITMB Workshops typically have only a few formal talks; the bulk of the time is allocated for discussions, brainstorming, informal chalk talks, with adequate time for initiating research projects within smaller groups. Workshop organizers are also expected to launch the workshop with a half-day tutorial that provides general background for an interdisciplinary audience to engage effectively with one another and with the scientific questions.
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When do workshops happen?
NITMB Scientific Workshops take place in Fall (September - December), Spring (January-May), and Summer (June-August).
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NITMB Support
Scientific workshops receive full administrative support and some financial support from NITMB, including lodging, travel, and local support for all of its participants. This allows
organizers to focus solely on the scientific aspects of the activities. We expect 15 to 30 invited participants for each workshop, with a typical workshop size of 50–75 people.
Proposal Submission Process
Provide the information described in the NITMB program template, and submit your pre-proposal to programs@nitmb.org
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Deadlines
The Selection Committee accepts proposal applications on a rolling basis. The committee meets
two times a year to evaluate proposals. The deadlines for consideration of proposals at each of
these meetings are: in 2026, April 15 and October 1; 2027 and beyond, March 1 and
October 1.
Selection
The following are factors in the evaluation of scientific workshop proposals:
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Integration of mathematics and biology: We seek proposals on topics with potential for
generating new mathematical frameworks that will lead to new biological understanding, through
theory, data-informed mathematical modeling, and computational and statistical tools.
Connection with our scientific research themes:
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Fidelity and Variation
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Fitness and Optimization
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Information Processing
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Learning and Adaptation
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Prediction and Anticipation
More information can be found at: https://www.nitmb.org/research
Potential to enhance communication between domains: Successful proposals lay out a plan
for facilitating productive interactions between mathematical and biological scientists.
Potential to broaden participation: Competitive proposals have leadership and proposed
participants from all backgrounds, and their activities include efforts at broadening participation
and developing future scientific leaders from all backgrounds.
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​Potential to Seed New Research Collaborations Across Domains: NITMB supports
research collaboration between mathematics and biology that can lead to discovery in either or
both domains. Successful workshops may lead to focused research group award applications
and/or future workshop applications organized by some of the organizers and/or participants.
NITMB Workshop Committee Members
Joseph Hibdon
Co-Associate Director for Convening Activities
Northeastern Illinois University
Edwin M. Munro
Co-Associate Director for Convening Activities
University of Chicago
Mary Silber
Co-Associate Director for Convening Activities
University of Chicago
Stefano Allesina
Professor, Ecology and Evolution
University of Chicago
Luis A.N. Amaral
Professor, Chemical and Biological Engineering
Northwestern University
Anindita (Oni) Basu
Associate Professor, Medicine
University of Chicago
Madhav Mani
Associate Professor, Engineering Sciences & Applied Mathematics
Northwestern University
Alasdair Hastewell
NITMB Fellow
