Erwin Schrödinger International Institute for Mathematical Physics


The Erwin Schrödinger International Institute for Mathematics and Physics is a research institute located in Vienna, Austria, whose aim is to stimulate cross fertilization between mathematics and physics. Named after Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger, it is a part of the University of Vienna and receives its basic funding from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research.

Mission

The purpose of the ESI is to stimulate research in both mathematics and physics by encouraging interaction of leading scientists from both disciplines. This is mainly done by organizing workshops and inviting mathematicians to spend some time at the institute. Through its natural location in the center of Europe it also aims to foster intellectual exchange between Eastern Europe and the rest of the world.
It has close connections with the Faculty of Physics and the Faculty of Mathematics of the University of Vienna.
From 1993 on, the Erwin Schrödinger Institute was incorporated as a private association. On Monday, October 25, 2010, the ESI was informed - without prior warning - that its funding by the Austrian Ministry of Science would be terminated effective January 1, 2011. However, taking into account the strong objections of the international scientific community, this decision was reconsidered, with the following result:
The ESI continued operation in its current form until May 31, 2011. On June 1, 2011, the University of Vienna created a `Forschungsplattform' under the name `Erwin Schrödinger International Institute for Mathematical Physics'. This new Forschungsplattform now continues the scientific tradition of the Institute - in its current location - and will in particular fund and support the scientific activities approved by the ESI for the years 2011 and 2012. The Ministry of Science has promised funding of the new Forschungsplattform until 2014, and possibly until 2015.