International Congress of Mathematicians

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

The International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) is a significant event in the field of mathematics. It is organized every four years by the International Mathematical Union (IMU). The ICM is notable for awarding the prestigious Fields Medal, often considered the mathematical equivalent of the Nobel Prize, to mathematicians under the age of 40 for outstanding research and potential. The first Fields Medals were awarded in 1936, originating from surplus funds from the 1924 ICM held in Toronto. The ICM also serves as a platform for mathematicians to present their work and discuss advancements in the field.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Fields Medal
Selection process and prize recipients
…was also presented at each ICM from 1982 to 2018; it was replaced by the IMU Abacus Medal in 2022. This prize is awarded to one young mathematician for work dealing with the mathematical aspects of information science.
Read More
…was also presented at each ICM from 1982 to 2018; it was replaced by the IMU Abacus Medal in 2022. This prize is awarded to one young mathematician for work dealing with the mathematical aspects of information science.
Read More